April Ross

April Ross was one of the few female beach volleyball athletes who earned medals at several Olympics. Alix Klineman has become a brand new Olympian and is set to join her at Tokyo. Ross will also be hoping for her very first Olympic medal. And at the age of 39, it could be her final chance to achieve it. Nevertheless, she remains convinced of winning top awards. Ross on NBC Boston, said that when the team performs very well, or even at all, they can earn a gold. Also, it's the result of luck. Ross, who was born 1982, and grew up within Costa Mesa California with her mother and sister, first began playing the sports of the Newport Harbor High School. Ross played in numerous sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. The prep sports she played included indoor volleyball along with basketball, track and running. But she stood out at this level. According to her bio, she was a middle blocker and outside hitting volleyball player during her senior year at high school. For her efforts, she was honored as the 1999 Gatorade International Player of the year in Circle of Champions. Additionally, in 2000, she was awarded the Orange County Athlete of the Year for volleyball. Although Ross and Klineman are in the spotlight since the year 2017, Klineman was already an established participant on the beaches long before their pairing. It's true that she has won numerous events, and one was won by the legendary player of volleyball. From 2007 until 2013, she was partnered with Jennifer Kessy, who is currently her coach. Together, Kessy Ross, she was a major force in the world circuit, winning the world championship in 2009. In 2012, the duo won silver at London's Olympics. The legendary Misty Maytreanor team as well as Kerri Jennings were the winners of gold. Ross became Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's departure. They won the beach volleyball bronze during the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross began her college career with the USC Trojans following high school. The Trojans were a few years away from when Ross hit the beach and became a pro. Her time at USC was impressive. In 2000, as a freshman she fought her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA All-American Freshman of Year awards and earned an All-American. The Trojans made it to the Final Four. In her sophomore year, she was devastated by a personal loss but still managed to make it back as an All-American. Through her two final years with the Trojans she was instrumental in helping them achieve consecutive championships. In 2003-04, Ross was named as the most successful female volleyball player on the collegiate scene in the US according to the Honda Sports Award. Ross took a course in the study of international relations in USC. Margie Ross was never able to see her daughter's climb to fame as a beach volleyball player. As of 2001, when Ross was in her sophomore year studying at USC her mother passed away from breast cancer. She still holds her mother close to her heart. Margie remains a constant source of inspiration for her both at and off the beaches.