April Ross

April Ross, a beach volleyball star American She is one of a small group of women who have been awarded medals at several Olympics. The American will play in Tokyo for her third Olympic medal with Alix Klineman who is a first time Olympian. Ross is determined to earn more than her first Olympic medal. With her age of 39, it may be her last opportunity to claim an Olympic gold. However, she's confident that top honors are firmly at hand. If we play our best or even very well, I think we can get that gold medal Ross stated on NBC Boston. Therefore, I'm hoping to have the chance also. Ross was born on August 22, 1982, on the outskirts of Costa Mesa California. She lived there with her family. While at Newport Harbor High School, she was a participant in many activities. As well as playing indoor volleyball, she also played basketball and jogged track as an amateur athlete. However she was clearly a superior player when it came to the second sport. According to her bio, she was a middle blocker, as well as an outside hitter on the court of volleyball during her high school career. For her efforts she was awarded in 1999 as the Gatorade International Player of the year in Circle of Champions. Her skills in volleyball earned her an Orange County Athlete of the Awards in 2000. While Ross and Klineman are in the spotlight in 2017 and beyond, Klineman was already a big-time player on the beach scene even before the pair formed. There is no doubt that she has played a significant role on the beach for a long time. Indeed, Ross won several tournaments, including one with a legendary volleyball player. From 2007-2013 she played alongside Jennifer Kessy who more recently played the role of Klineman's coach. Alongside Kessy Ross was an ace in the world circuit, winning a world title in 2009. They won a Silver Medal in the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. The legendary Misty Maytreanor team along with Kerri Jennings claimed the gold. Ross Jennings became Walsh Jennings partner in fate when Maytreanor decided to retire. In 2016, the duo received bronze medals in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Following high school, and for a few several years prior to hitting the sand as a pro Ross played to the USC Trojans in her first season as an NCAA. In fact, her time through the institution was a memorable one. In 2000, she was recognized as Pac-10 Freshman as well as NCAA Freshman of the Year. She was also named an All-American. Additionally, she assisted her Trojans reach the Final Four. Her sophomore year was the time she experienced a devastating personal loss but still managed to be a second All-American. In her last two years, she took the Trojans on a climb to win consecutive national titles. She was a superb volleyball player. She won the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the most outstanding female college volleyball player. Ross was a international relations student at USC. Unfortunately Ross mom Margie didn't get to watch her daughter rise to the highest levels of beach volleyball fame. Ross lost her mother to breast cancer in the year 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. Her mother is still dear. Margie is an inspiration at the beach, and throughout her life.