April Ross

April Ross is only one of only a handful of beach volleyball players who have earned medals multiple times at an Olympics. She will be competing in Tokyo to compete for her third Olympic gold medal along with Alix Klineman, who is a first time Olympian. More than that though Ross hopes to win her first Olympic gold. At 39, this could be her final chance to do so. However, she's convinced that top prizes are within reach. If we perform at our very best or even if we perform well, I think we'll win the gold medal Ross said via NBC Boston. "I'm planning to test a little luck." Ross was born in 1982 in Costa Mesa California where she resided with her parents and her sister. In addition to participating in a variety of sport, she also attended Newport Harbor High School. Along with the indoor game, she also was a basketball player and also ran track as a pre-collegiate athlete. But she clearly was a cut above the rest in this latter game. In her college profile, she was an outside-hitting hitter, middle blocker, as well as a setter in her volleyball playing career during high school. Gatorade Circle Of Champions named her the National Player 1999. She also won the Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Ross is currently playing with Klineman since 2017. However, Ross's beach game had been established long before that. As a matter of fact, Ross has won several significant tournaments during her time along with her two teammates. One of them is a legend. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 through 2013. Ross, Kessy's fellow teammate who took home the title of world champion with Kessy in 2009, was also significant on the world stage. The 2012 Olympic Games, they won a gold medal. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor won gold, ahead of them. It was fate that had them. Ross was Walsh Jennings' new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. They went on to compete for the bronze beach volleyball trophy at the Rio Olympics 2016. They were joined by Walsh Jennings. Ross was a college player at USC Trojans prior to beginning starting her professional career. She played during high school, as well as before hitting the beach as a professional. Ross had an impressive run during her time in college. In 2000 she was named Pac-10 Freshman and NCAA Freshman of the Year. She was also named an All-American. Additionally, she was an integral player for helping the Trojans to make it to their way to the Final Four. Her sophomore year was the time she was devastated by a personal setback but managed to make it back as an All-American. Through the two years she played for the Trojans she was instrumental in helping them achieve consecutive championships. Ross was an excellent volleyball player and won the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the most outstanding female volleyball player in the NCAA. Ross had been an international studies student at USC. Unfortunately, Ross mom Margie never got to see Ross's daughter reach the very top of beach volleyball stardom. Ross's mom died from breast carcinoma in the year 2001. Ross had just become a second-year student at USC. She has kept her parent close to the heart. Margie remains an inspiration both on and off at the beach.