April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball players who have won medals during more than one Olympics. Alix-Klineman will be competing with Ross at Tokyo in order to claim her third gold medal over the next couple of days. Ross is also hoping to win her first Olympic medal. It could be the last time she has the chance at age 39. But she's convinced that winning the gold medal is within reach. Ross was quoted by NBC Boston as saying that If you put in your best, even if you perform well, you will win the gold. Additionally, I'm going be relying on a little bit of luck. Ross was born in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. Her parents and her sister resided in the area. While at Newport Harbor High School, she played in a variety of different sports. In addition to the indoor game, she also played basketball and jogged track as a pre-collegiate athlete. Although she was a pro when playing indoors however, it was evident that her abilities were higher than normal. According to her bio in high school, she was a volleyball player as an outside setter (middle blocker) and the setter (outside blocker). As a tribute to her efforts, she received the Gatorade Award for National Player in 1999. Also, she won the award in 2000. Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Ross and Klineman might have started working together in 2017, but Ross was already an established athlete at the beach prior to when they teamed up. The fact is, she's been a winner of numerous major tournaments and one of them was an all-star volleyball player. Ross teamed up with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and she also served as Klineman's personal trainer. Kessy as well as Ross proved to be an impressive force on the international circuit, winning the world championship in 2009 with each other. At the 2012 Olympic Games, they received a gold medal. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the team to beat for the gold. Ross Walsh was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's departure. They were able to win the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics in 2016. After high school and years before she hit the sand professionally, Ross played to the Trojans at USC while an collegiate. And her run at the school was one to remember. She was an All-American and Pac-10 Freshman of Year in the year 2000, a young freshman. Also, she was one of the key players in helping the Trojans to make it to it to the Final Four. The Trojans were devastated through a tragedy in her life during her second year, but she was able to make it an All-American again. Over her final 2 years of participation in the Trojans team, she led the Trojans to winning a national title each year. In 2003-2004, Ross was named the top female volleyball player at a collegiate level in the United States according to The Honda Sports Award. Ross was a student of International Relations at USC. Margie Ross did not see her daughter achieve the heights in beach volleyball. Ross suffered the loss of her mother to breast cancer in the year 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. She still holds her mother very dearly. Margie is a beach lover as well as in her everyday life, is still a source of inspiration for her.