April Ross
April Ross is only one of only a handful of beach volleyball athletes to win medals at least twice in an Olympics. In Tokyo during the next few days she will attempt to claim her third Olympic medal along with first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross also hopes to get her very first Olympic medal. With her age of 39, this may be her last chance to take home the gold medal at an Olympics. However, she's convinced that top prizes are within reach. Ross declared on NBC Boston: "If we try our best, and even if we just play well, I think we could get the gold medal." In addition, I'm planning be relying on a little bit of luck. Ross was born in California in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. Her family lived in the area with her father, mother and younger sister. The athletic pursuits she pursued continued at Newport Harbor High School where she was a part of a number of sports. Apart from the indoor game, she also played basketball and jogged track as a pre-collegiate athlete. She stood out however during this game. In her own biography in high school, she was a volleyball player as an outside hitter (middle blocker) and setter (outside blocker). Thanks to her hard work she was awarded the 1999 Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year. In addition, she was awarded the award in 2000. Orange County Athlete of the Year trophy for volleyball. Although Ross and Klineman are in the spotlight from 2017 onward, the former was already a big-time player on the beach scene prior to their team. In actual Ross has been a winner of several major tournaments in her career together with two other partners. One is a volleyball legend. Jennifer Kessy was her partner during six years from 2007 until the year 2013. She also worked with Klineman as well as herself. Together, Kessy Ross was an ace on the international circuit winning a world title in 2009. The pair eventually picked up an Olympic silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) and Misty Maytreanor clinched gold overtaking them. Ross became Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. They went on to compete for the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics 2016 with Walsh Jennings. Ross began her collegiate time with the Trojans at USC in graduation from high school. This was years before Ross hit the beach and became a pro. The Trojans had a great performance for Ross during her time at the university. When she was a freshman at the school in 2000 she fought her way to Pac-10 and NCAA All-American Freshman of Year honors and was also an All-American. In addition, she helped her Trojans to make it to the Final Four. She endured a great personal defeat in her sophomore year however, she was able to achieve the All-American award. Through her two final years with the Trojans they helped to win two consecutive titles. In her own way, she cemented her place as a legend when she won the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. This award was given to the most outstanding female volleyball players at colleges across the nation. Ross took a course in International Relations at USC. Margie Ross did not see her daughter make it to the top of the beach volleyball ladder. Ross's mom passed away due to breast cancer when she was a sophomore in USC. However, she keeps her parents close to her his heart. Margie at the beach and in daily life, continues to inspire her.






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