April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball athletes who earned medals in several Olympics. Alix Klineman, taking part for the very first time in Tokyo's Olympics, will try to earn her third medal. In addition, Ross is aiming to capture her very first Olympic gold. As she turns 39, it could be Ross' last opportunity to claim an Olympic gold. Her optimism is that she'll be successful in achieving top honours. Ross, via NBC Boston, said that if the team plays consistently or well they can earn a gold. In addition, I'll try the opportunity to try my chance. Ross born in 1982 and was raised in Costa Mesa California with her mother and sister, first began competing in sports at Newport Harbor High school. Ross went on to play in a myriad of activities during her time at Newport Harbor High School. While a prep student she was a participant in basketball, indoor volleyball as well as running track. In the last sport she was clearly the standout. Based on her biography, she was a middle blocker and outside hitter on the volleyball court throughout her time in high school. Thanks to her hard work she was awarded an 1999 Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year. The skills she showed in volleyball also won her the Orange County Athlete of the Year award in the year 2000. Ross and Klineman formed their partnership in 2017, but Ross had been a beach-scene star for years before. In fact, she's had the chance to win numerous events, and one was won by a legendary volleyball player. She teamed up along with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and was also Klineman's trainer. Kessy was Ross's co-coach at the 2009 World Championships. They eventually won an Olympic silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the team to beat for the gold. Ross Jennings replaced May-Treanor after she had retired. In 2016, the pair took bronze at the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross was a Trojans player for the USC in her college the years prior to her professional career. The time she spent at USC was quite impressive. When she was a freshman at the school in 2000 she earned Pac-10 and NCAA All-American Freshman of Year honors and was also an All-American. She was also a key player in helping the Trojans to make it to the Final Four. She suffered a devastating personal loss in her sophomore year and yet she went on to repeat as an All-American. Over her final 2 years of participation in the Trojans team, she led the team to win a national championship every year. Ross was an excellent player on the court, and was awarded the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the best female volleyball player in the NCAA. Ross was a USC international relations major, was a renowned volleyball player. Margie Ross did not get to witness Ross achieve beach volleyball's top levels. When Ross was a sophomore studying at USC her mother died of breast cancer. She continues to cherish her parents who passed away. And Margie continues to be an inspiration to her on the beach and in life.