April Ross

April Ross is only one of only a handful of beach volleyball players who have earned medals at least twice in an Olympics. Alix klineman, who is taking part for the very first time in Tokyo's Olympics is hoping to secure her third gold medal. Ross also hopes to get her first Olympic medal. At 39, this could be Ross' last opportunity to claim the Olympic gold. But she's confident top awards are within reach. Ross told NBC Boston that if they are at their absolute best and even play well and they are able to play well, the team can win a gold medal. "I'm planning to test to have a bit of luck." Ross was born in the city of Costa Mesa, California in the year 1982. Her parents as well as her sister resided there. Ross played in numerous sports while attending Newport Harbor High School. As a prep-athlete, she also played indoor volleyball and track. Although she was a pro at indoor volleyball, it was clear that her abilities were higher than average. Through her high school years, she played middle blocker, outside hitter and setter on the volleyball court per her bio at the college. In recognition of her accomplishments, she received the Gatorade Award for National Player 1999. In 2000, the Orange County Athlete of the Month award was also won by her for volleyball. Ross and Klineman may be working on a project in the year 2017, however Ross had already been a seasoned player at the beach before they teamed up. The American has been a major winner in tournaments twice with different partners. One of them is an icon in the world of volleyball. From 2007 to 2013 she was in a partnership by Jennifer Kessy, who is currently her coach. Kessy was Ross's teammate at the World Championships in 2009. They eventually won a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The Misty Maytreanor legendary team and Kerri Jennings won the gold. Ross Jennings was Walsh Jennings partner in fate when Maytreanor retired. The pair took bronze at the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross started her college career with the USC Trojans after graduation from high school. This was years before Ross went to the sand and turned pro. Ross's playing time with the Trojans was remarkable. She was an All-American as well as Pac-10 freshman of the year in the year 2000, a young freshman. Additionally, she was a key player to help the Trojans to make it to it to the Final Four. The Trojans were devastated by a tragic incident in her sophomore year. However, she went on to be an All-American in her second year. In her last two years, she took the Trojans to the top of the mountain and clinched consecutive national championships. In 2003-04, Ross was named the best female volleyball player on the collegiate scene in the US according to the Honda Sports Award. Ross was an international relations major at USC. Margie Ross wasn't able to see her daughter's rise to beach volleyball fame. Ross's mother died of breast cancer while she was a sophomore in USC. She is devoted to her mother who died. Margie is a source of inspiration, both off and on at the beach.