April Ross

April Ross is only one of the beach volleyball players who have earned medals at least twice in an Olympics. Ross will compete in Tokyo for her 3rd Olympic medal alongside Alix Klineman who is a first time Olympian. Ross will also be hoping for her first Olympic gold. As she is 39, it may be her last chance. Still confident but she is not sure. Ross was reported on NBC Boston as saying that if you play your highest, and even perform well, you will win the gold. "I'm planning to test a little luck." Ross was born in California in the city of Costa Mesa in 1982. She grew up in Costa Mesa with her mother, father and sister. Ross was a competitive athlete in a variety of sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. While a prep student she played basketball, indoor volleyball and running track. But she clearly was an edge over the other players in this latter game. According to her bio her high school days, she played volleyball as an outside hitter (middle blocker) as well as a setter (outside blocker). Gatorade Circle Of Champions named her the national Player of 1999. In 2000, the Orange County Athlete of the Month was also received by her in volleyball. Ross is working with Klineman from 2017, but Ross's beach game was established well before that. In reality, she's won multiple big tournaments and one partner was an all-star volleyball player. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 to 2013. Kessy as well as Ross proved to be strong on the world circuit, winning the 2009 World Championship as a team. The duo eventually captured an Olympic silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor won gold, overtaking them. Ross became Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's resignation. Both went on to win the bronze medal in beach volleyball at Rio Olympics in 2016 along with Walsh Jennings. Ross began her college career with the USC Trojans after her high school days. This was years before Ross hit the beach and became a professional. She had a great run during her time in the college. In 2000, as a freshman she played her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA All-American Freshman of Year accolades. She also was also an All-American. The team also saw her help in helping the Trojans to make it to the Final Four. Her heart was broken by a tragic incident in her sophomore year. However, she went on to be an All-American once more. Over her final two years as a player, she led the Trojans to the summit by winning two consecutive national championships. She had established herself as an all-time legend by winning the 2003-04 Honda Sports Award as the most outstanding female college volleyball player. Ross played international relations as a student at USC. Margie Ross was never able to witness her daughter's rise to beach volleyball fame. When Ross was a sophomore studying at USC her mother died of breast cancer. But, she will always hold her lost parent near and close. Margie has always been a source of inspiration for her both at and off the beaches.