April Ross

April Ross is only one of the beach volleyball players who have earned medals more than once at an Olympics. Alix-Klineman is set to compete alongside April Ross in Tokyo to win her third gold medal in the next couple of days. Ross is also hoping to win her very first Olympic gold. Perhaps she has one chance at winning, as she's 39 old. Nevertheless, she remains convinced of winning top awards. Ross told NBC Boston that if they are at their absolute best or even a good game her team can win a gold medal. It's also going to be a matter of chance. Ross, who was born 1982 and was raised within Costa Mesa California with her mother and sister, first began competing in the sports of Newport Harbor High school. Ross went on to play in a myriad of sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. She competed in basketball and track, in addition to her volleyball skills in the indoors as a prep athlete. However she was clearly a cut above the rest in this latter game. As a high school volleyball career in her university profile, she played as a middle-blocker, outside-hitter and setter. Gatorade Circle of Champions named her the national Player in 1999. She also captured the award in 2000. Orange County Athlete of the Award for volleyball. Although Ross and Klineman are in the spotlight since 2017, the former was already an established participant on the beaches prior to their team. The fact is, she's won multiple big tournaments as well as one of her partners was a volleyball superstar. The pair teamed with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and she also served as Klineman's personal trainer. Alongside Kessy Ross was an ace on the international circuit winning a world title in 2009. They won a Silver Medal at the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. The legendary Misty Maytreanor team and Kerri Jennings won the gold. It was fate that had them. Ross was Walsh Jennings' new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. They both went on to take home the bronze beach volleyball trophy at Rio Olympics in 2016 along with Walsh Jennings. Ross began her college professional career playing for the Trojans of USC after graduation from high school. This was years before Ross hit the beach and became a professional. Her time at USC was a memorable one. In 2000 she was named Pac-10 Freshman as well as NCAA Freshman Of The Year. She was also named an All-American. The Trojans were also able to get to the Final Four with her help. During her sophomore year she experienced a devastating personal setback but managed to be a second All-American. Through her last two years in the program she led the Trojans to the summit of the mountain by winning two three consecutive championships at the national level. She was a great player on the court, and was awarded the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the best female college volleyball player. Ross was an international relations major at USC. Margie Ross was never able to see her daughter achieve the heights of the beach volleyball ladder. Ross's mother Margie died in 2001, when Ross was an USC sophomore. Her breast cancer had been diagnosed. She has kept her mother in her his heart. Margie continues to be an inspiration on and off at the beach.