April Ross

April Ross is one of only a few female beach volleyball stars to have medals won at more than one Olympics. Alix Kallineman is set to compete alongside April Ross at Tokyo to take home her third gold medal during the next few days. Ross's dream is to earn her first Olympic Gold. It could be her final opportunity to claim an Olympic gold. Nevertheless she is confident that top honors are firmly at hand. Ross on NBC Boston, said that the team was confident that we would be a winner when we play our best. That's why I'm taking the chance and hope for the best. Ross had her birth on August 22nd, 1982 at Costa Mesa California. She was raised there by her parents. She went on to compete in a myriad of activities as a student at Newport Harbor High School. She competed in basketball and tracks in addition to her indoor volleyball achievements in her time as a college athlete. It was clear that she was superior player in her other sport. In her time at high school, she played middle blocker out setting and hitter on the volleyball court per her college bio. To honor her effort she was awarded an 1999 Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year. In addition, she was awarded the 2000 Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Ross Klineman and Ross began their relationship in 2017 but Ross was an established athlete on the beach for a long time before. She has been a major player in the world of beach volleyball over the years. Ross actually took home several titles, and even one with a famous volleyball superstar. From 2007 to 2013, she worked alongside Jennifer Kessy who more recently was Klineman's coach. Along with Kessy, Ross won an Olympic Title in 2009, while racing on the international circuit. They eventually won an Olympic silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor won gold, ahead of them. Ross Jennings became Walsh Jennings partner in fate when Maytreanor retired. In 2016, the duo won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross participated in the Trojans of USC in her high school after she finished high school. The time she spent at USC was a memorable one. In 2000, she was selected Pac-10 Freshman, and NCAA Freshman Of The Year, and was also she was an All-American. In addition, she helped her Trojans get to the Final Four. In her sophomore year, she was devastated by a personal tragedy, yet managed to make it back as an All-American. Through her final two years playing for the Trojans the team, she played a key role in helping succeed in winning consecutive championships. She had established herself as an all-time legend receiving the 2003-04 Honda Sports Award as the most outstanding female college volleyball player. Ross was a international relations student at USC. Unfortunately, Ross mother Margie didn't get to watch her daughter reach the most elite levels of beach volleyball stardom. Margie, Ross's mother, passed away in 2001 when Ross was still in the midst of being a USC sophomore. It was discovered that she had breast cancer. She still holds her mother very dearly. Margie is an ever-present source of inspiration for her both in and out of the water.