April Ross

April Ross has won more than one Olympic gold medal. She is one of the few female players of beach volleyball that have achieved this feat. In Tokyo during the next few days she will attempt to net her third medal alongside first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross is hoping to secure the Olympic debut gold but she's also hoping to earn more. At 39, it could be her final chance to achieve it. But she's still convinced of winning top awards. Ross, via NBC Boston, said that when the team performs very well, or even at all, it could be able to win gold. Also, I am going be relying on a little bit of good luck. Ross was born in 1982 in Costa Mesa California where she lived with her parents and sister. Her athletic career began at Newport Harbor High School where she participated in several sports. Her prep athletic career included indoor volleyball as well as basketball as well as track and running. In the last sport she was clearly the standout. In her own biography her high school days, she played volleyball as an outside setter (middle blocker) and setter (outside blocker). Her efforts were recognized by her being named 1999 Gatorade's Circle Of Champions National Players of the Year. In addition, she was awarded the 2000 Orange County Athlete of the Year trophy for volleyball. While Ross and Klineman have been doing their thing since 2017, the former was already a big-time participant on the beaches prior to their team. She has been able to win multiple tournaments, including one with an iconic volleyball player. From 2007 until 2013, she was partnered by Jennifer Kessy, who is the coach she is currently. Together with Kessy Ross, she won a World Title in 2009, while racing internationally. The duo would go through to take home a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games at London. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the team that could take home the gold. Ross Jennings was the replacement for May-Treanor as she retired. Both went on to win the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics 2016 with Walsh Jennings. Ross started her college career with the USC Trojans in high school. It was a long time before Ross made her debut on the beach, and then became a professional. This was an impressive performance for Ross during her time at the college level. Her freshman year in 2000 earned her the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman's of Award and also be named an All-American. Her performance also assisted in helping the Trojans get to into the Final Four. After her sophomore year she was devastated by a personal loss, yet was able to be named an All-American. Over the course of her final two seasons she led the Trojans to the top of the mountain and clinched consecutive national championships. Her individual achievements have cemented her as a volleyball legend. Ross was awarded the Honda Sports Award 2003-04 for the nation's best female collegiate player. Ross studied international relations at USC. Margie Ross was never able to witness her daughter's rise to fame as a beach volleyball player. When Ross was a sophomore studying at USC her mother passed away from breast cancer. She still holds her mother very dearly. And Margie continues to be an encouragement for her on the beaches and throughout her daily life.