April Ross

April Ross is only one of only a handful of beach volleyball players to have won medals multiple times at an Olympics. In Tokyo over the next several days, she'll be aiming to claim her third Olympic medal with fellow the first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross wants to achieve more than her initial Olympic medal. This may be the last opportunity she gets to do so at the age of 39. She remains optimistic that she can achieve top honors. If we do our top or do well, I believe we'll be able to win that gold medal Ross stated on NBC Boston. Then I will also take the opportunity to try my chance. Ross, who was born 1982 and was raised within Costa Mesa California with her siblings and parents, started participating in sports at Newport Harbor High School. Her athletic career continued at Newport Harbor High School where she participated in several sports. Her pre-athletic career comprised indoor volleyball along with basketball as well as running and track. She was definitely the best in the game of indoor volleyball. Based on her bio, she was an outside blocker as well as a middle volleyball player throughout her time in high school. Her achievements were rewarded by her being named 1999 Gatorade's National Circle of Champions Players of the Year. Also, in 2000 she was named Orange County Athlete of the Year for volleyball. Ross is currently working with Klineman from 2017 but her beach game had been established long before the year. It's true that she has won numerous events, and one was won by the legendary player of volleyball. The pair teamed along with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and she also served as Klineman's coach. Kessy as well as Ross proved to be a formidable force in the international arena, taking home the 2009 World Championship as a team. In 2012, the pair were awarded silver medals at the London Olympics. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the trio that could take home the gold. Ross became Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. They won bronze in beach volleyball in the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross competed for USC Trojans during her college days, years before becoming a professional. It was a successful performance for Ross during her time at the school. In 2000, she was voted Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and NCAA Freshman Of The Year and an All-American. She also helped her Trojans to make it to the Final Four. Her heart was broken by a tragic incident in her sophomore year. However, she was able to make it an All-American in her second year. In her last two seasons in the program she led the Trojans up to the summit winning consecutive national championships. Ross was an excellent volleyball player, winning the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the most outstanding female volleyball player at the college level. Ross played international relations as a student at USC. Margie Ross was never able to witness her daughter's rise to beach volleyball fame. Ross's mother passed away from breast cancer when she was in her sophomore year at USC. She still holds her mother close to her heart. Margie is a constant source of inspiration to her at and off the beaches.