April Ross

April Ross is one of the few female beach volleyball athletes to capture medals at many Olympics. In Tokyo during the next few days, she'll be aiming to net her third medal along with first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross's goal is to win her first Olympic Gold. Since she's 39 years old she could have her last chance. She is still confident but she is not sure. Ross said on 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. So I'm going to take a little bit of luck also. Ross, who was born 1982 and was raised within Costa Mesa California with her mother and sister, first began participating in the sports of Newport Harbor High School. In Newport Harbor High School, she was a participant in many activities. Along with indoor volleyball, she ran track and basketball as a pre-collegiate athlete. In her final game she stood out. In her time at high school, she played middle blocker, outside hitter and setter on the volleyball court, according to her bio at the college. Her efforts were recognized by her being named 1999 Gatorade's Circle of Champions National Players of the Year. In 2000, she was awarded an Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Ross is playing alongside Klineman since the year 2017 but her beach game was established well before the year. Actually Ross has won a number of significant tournaments during her time with two partners. One of them is a volleyball legend. From 2007 to 2013 she played with Jennifer Kessy, who is currently her coach. Ross, the teammate of Kessy's, who was the winner of the world championship with Kessy in 2009, was also a major force on international stage. The duo would go through to take home a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games at London. They were beaten out for the gold medal by the legendary duo of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh (Jennings). Ross Jennings replaced May-Treanor when she announced her retirement. They both won beach volleyball bronze for the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross played for the Trojans at USC during her college after graduating from the high school she attended. The time she spent at USC was impressive. She was an All-American and Pac-10 Freshman of the Year when she was a teen freshman. She also helped the Trojans get to the Final Four. In her sophomore season she was devastated by a personal tragedy, but was able to be named an All-American. In her two final years with the Trojans, she helped them win consecutive championships. Ross was an excellent volleyball player, winning the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the best female college volleyball player. Ross was a student at USC in International Relations. Margie Ross didn't get to witness Ross achieve beach volleyball's top levels. When Ross was in her sophomore year at USC her mother died of breast cancer. However, she continues to hold her lost parent near and close. Also, Margie continues to be an inspiration to her on the beach and in her daily life.