April Ross

April Ross is one of only a few female beach volleyball athletes to have medals won at many Olympics. Ross will compete in Tokyo for her 3rd Olympic medal along with Alix Klineman who is a first time Olympian. Ross's aim is to get her first Olympic Gold. At 39 this may be her last opportunity to do so. She remains confident though that winning the gold medal is just a few steps away. Ross, via NBC Boston, said that he felt confident we could be a winner by playing our best. That's why I'm taking a little bit of luck also. Ross was born in 1982, and grew up within Costa Mesa California with her siblings and parents, started competing in sports in Newport Harbor High School. Ross participated in various activities while at Newport Harbor High School. As a student-athlete she played indoor track and volleyball. She clearly was the top in the game of indoor volleyball. During her high school career she was a middle blocker, outside hitter and setter on the volleyball court as per her school bio. Her achievements were acknowledged with her being selected as 1999 Gatorade's Circle of Champions National Players of the Year. Her volleyball skills also earned her the Orange County Athlete of the Awards in 2000. While Ross and Klineman have been playing together in 2017 and beyond, Klineman had already been a major player on the beach scene way before they teamed up. She was a winner of multiple major tournaments with two other partners, one that is also famous for her volleyball skills. From 2007 until 2013, she was teaming by Jennifer Kessy, who is the coach she is currently. Kessy and Ross were an impressive force on the international circuit, winning their first world title in 2009. In 2012, the team were awarded silver medals at the London Olympics. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) and Misty Maytreanor won gold, beating them to it. Ross Jennings was Walsh Jennings partner in fate after Maytreanor's retirement. The pair went on to get bronze in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics in the year 2016. Ross played in the NCAA tournament at USC Trojans prior to beginning making the jump to professional. The Trojans were in high school and in some years prior to playing on the beach as a professional. Her time through the institution was an impressive one. In 2000, she was named Pac-10 Freshman and NCAA Freshman of the Year. She was also named an All-American. She also helped her Trojans reach the Final Four. Her sophomore season was the year she was devastated by a personal loss but still able to be named an All-American. For her two final years, she took the Trojans to the top of the hill and won consecutive national titles. As an individual, she established herself as an all-time legend by winning in 2003 and 2004 the Honda Sports Award as the highest ranked female volleyball player. Ross took a course in the study of international relations in USC. Unfortunately Ross mom Margie did not get to see her daughter reach the highest levels in beach volleyball's acclaim. Ross suffered the loss of her mother due to breast cancer back in 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. Yet, she is able to cherish her missing parent with love and dear. Margie continues to be an inspiration at the beach as well as throughout her entire life.