April Ross

April Ross was one of only a few women beach volleyball stars who won medals in several Olympics. In Tokyo during the next few days, she'll be aiming to win her third gold medal alongside first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. But more than that, Ross hopes to win the first Olympic gold. And at the age of 39 this may be her last opportunity to do so. However, she's convinced that top prizes can be achieved. Ross, via NBC Boston, said that If the team is performing well or at all they can earn a gold. It's also going to be a matter of chance. Ross is born in the year 1982. Costa Mesa California where she lived with her parents as well as a sister. Along with participating in a variety of sports, Ross also attended Newport Harbor High School. While a prep student, she competed in basketball, indoor volleyball as well as running track. However she was clearly a cut above the rest when it came to the second sport. During her high school career she played middle blocker outside setter and hitter on the volleyball court, according to her bio at the college. She was named the Gatorade National Circle of Champions Player of the year in 1999 for her achievements. The skills she showed in volleyball also brought her the Orange County Athlete of the Awards in the year 2000. Although Ross and Klineman are a couple since 2017, the former was already an established athlete on the beach even before the pair formed. The American has been a major winner in events twice, with various partners. One of them is an icon of the volleyball world. Ross teamed up with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and she also served as Klineman's coach. Together with Kessy Ross was awarded a World Title in 2009 while competing internationally. The 2012 Olympic Games, they received a gold medal. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor won gold, ahead of them. Ross Jennings replaced May-Treanor as she left the team. In 2016, the duo were awarded bronze medals at the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross participated in the Trojans at USC during her college years after she graduated the high school she attended. It was a successful career for Ross in the school. Her freshman year in 2000 was when she won the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman's of the Year awards and be an All-American. Additionally, she was a key player to help the Trojans to make it to their way to the Final Four. Her personal life was tense after a devastating loss in her sophomore, but was still capable of achieving the All-American title. Through her two final years of participation in the Trojans program, she coached the Trojans to winning a national title every year. Her individual achievements have cemented her as a volleyball legend. Ross was awarded the Honda Sports Award 2003-04 for the best female college player. Ross was a major in International Relations at USC. Unfortunately Ross mom Margie never got to see Ross rise to the highest levels of beach volleyball fame. In 2001 when Ross was a sophomore in USC her mother passed away from breast cancer. She continues to cherish her mother who died. Margie has been an inspiration throughout her life, as well as on the beach.