April Ross

April Ross is only one of the beach volleyball players who have earned medals multiple times at an Olympics. She is set to compete in Tokyo for her 3rd Olympic medal alongside Alix Klineman who is a first time Olympian. Ross's dream is to earn her first Olympic gold medal. Perhaps it is her last opportunity, given that she is 39 years old. However, she's confident that the top awards are in reach. Ross stated to NBC Boston that if they perform at their very best, or play a great game her team can win a gold medal. It's also going to be the result of luck. Ross was born in California, Costa Mesa in the year 1982. Her parents as well as her sister resided in the area. Ross played in numerous sports while attending Newport Harbor High School. She competed in basketball and track in addition to her indoor volleyball exploits in her time as a college athlete. In her final game she was clearly the standout. When she played in her high school volleyball career as per her college profile, she played as an outside-hitter, middle blocker and setter. The results of her efforts were acknowledged by her being named 1999 Gatorade's Circle of Champions National Players of the Year. Her skills in volleyball brought her an Orange County Athlete of the Awards in 2000. Ross and Klineman formed their relationship in 2017 However, Ross had been a beach-scene star for years before. The fact is, she's won multiple big tournaments and one of them was a renowned volleyball player. She teamed up with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and she also served as Klineman's trainer. Together, Kessy Ross, she was a major force on the international stage, claiming the world championship in 2009. The duo would go through to take home a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games at London. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the team that could take home the gold. Ross Jennings took over for May-Treanor as she left the team. They went on to compete for the bronze medal in beach volleyball at Rio Olympics 2016. They were joined by Walsh Jennings. Ross participated in the Trojans of USC in her college after graduating from the high school she attended. Ross's time in the Trojans was amazing. She was a All-American and Pac-10 freshman of the year in the year 2000, a young freshman. Her Trojans were also able to make it to the Final Four. In her sophomore year, she experienced a devastating personal setback but managed to repeat as an All-American. Through her two final seasons with the Trojans team, she led the Trojans to winning a national title every time. In 2003-2004, she was named as the most successful collegiate female volleyball player in the US by the Honda Sports Award. Ross studied international relations at USC. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, did not have the opportunity to see Ross' daughter blossom into the beach volleyball's biggest star. Ross's mother died of cancer of the breast in 2001. Ross had just become a second-year student at USC. She has kept her parents close to her the heart. Margie continues to be an inspiration on and off at the beach.