April Ross

April Ross has won more than one Olympic medal. Ross is among a few women beach volleyball athletes to be able to do so. Alix-Klineman will be competing with April Ross in Tokyo in order to claim her third gold in the next few days. Ross's goal is to win her first Olympic gold medal. It may well be that it is her last chance, at 39 years old. But she's confident top awards are within reach. If we do our highest or play well I feel like we can get that gold medal Ross said via NBC Boston. Also, I'll take the chance to have chance. Ross was born in California, Costa Mesa in the year 1982. Her parents as well as her sister were residents there. Ross went on to play in numerous sports in Newport Harbor High School. In her time as a college athlete she was also a participant in indoor track and volleyball. She stood out however at this level. The college bio says that she was an outside hitter, middle blocker and setter throughout her volleyball time in high school. In recognition of her accomplishments, she received the Gatorade Award for National Player 1999. The 2000 Orange County Athlete of the Month award was also won by her in volleyball. Although Ross and Klineman are in the spotlight from 2017 onward, the former was already a big-time athlete on the beach even before the pair formed. She has won major tournaments twice with different partners. A couple of those has become an iconic player in the world of volleyball. Jennifer Kessy was her partner for six years, between 2007 and the year 2013. She also coached Klineman as well as herself. Together with Kessy Ross was a force on the international stage, claiming a world title in 2009. In 2012, the duo were awarded silver medals at the London Olympics. The legendary Misty Maytreanor team and Kerri Jennings were the winners of gold. Ross Jennings became Walsh Jennings partner in fate after Maytreanor's retirement. Both went on to win the bronze beach volleyball trophy at Rio Olympics 2016 with Walsh Jennings. Ross was a college athlete with the Trojans of USC prior to her pro career. She played during high school, as well as before hitting the beach professionally. The time she spent at USC was quite impressive. As a freshman in 2000 she played her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA All-American Freshman of Year accolades. She also was an All-American. The Trojans were also able to make it to the Final Four. In her sophomore season she suffered a devastating personal tragedy, but earned the distinction of being an All-American. In her last two years in the Trojans program, she guided them to a national title every time. She was a great volleyball player and won the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the best female college volleyball player. Ross was an international relations major at USC. Margie Ross was never able to see her daughter make it to the top of beach volleyball. Ross's mom passed away due to breast cancer when she was in her sophomore year at USC. Ross is still awed by her parents who passed away. Also, Margie continues to be an inspiration to her on the beaches and throughout life.