April Ross

April Ross is one of the few female beach volleyball players to win medals at more than one Olympics. In Tokyo over the next several days, she'll be aiming to claim her third Olympic medal with fellow first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross is hoping to secure an Olympic first gold medal, however, she also hopes to win even more. Since she's 39 years old she could have her last shot. But she's convinced that top honors are firmly within reach. Ross said on NBC Boston that if they perform at their very best, or play a great game, she believes the team will be able to win the gold medal. It's also going to be an issue of luck. Ross was born in 1982 in Costa Mesa California where she lived with her parents as well as a sister. In Newport Harbor High School, she was a participant in many different sports. As a prep-athlete she played indoor volleyball and track. She was clearly the best at the sport of indoor volleyball. According to her biography, she was a middle blocker and an outside hitter on the volleyball court throughout her time in high school. Her efforts were recognized in 1999 when she was named Gatorade's National Circle of Champions Player of the Year. In 2000, she was recognized as the Orange County Athlete of the Year for volleyball. Ross and Klineman are doing what they do in 2017. But, Ross played a significant role in the beach volleyball scene before the pairing. Actually Ross has won a number of important tournaments throughout her career together with two other partners. One is a volleyball legend. In the period 2007 until 2013, she was a team together with Jennifer Kessy who more recently was Klineman's coach. Together together with Kessy Ross, she won a World Title in 2009, while racing internationally. In 2012, the pair were awarded silver medals at the London Olympic Games. Misty May Treanor and Kerri Jennings, the legend team that took home the Olympic gold medal in 2012 in London, edged them out to win the gold medal. Ross Walsh was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's resignation. They won the bronze medal in beach volleyball at Rio Olympics 2016. Ross was a Trojans player for the USC during her college days, prior to becoming a professional. Her time at USC was a memorable one. In her first year at the school, 2000 saw her earn the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman of the Year awards and be an All-American. The Trojans were also able to make it to the Final Four with her help. In her sophomore season, she experienced a terrible personal loss and still was able to be named an All-American. In her final two seasons with the Trojans they helped to win two consecutive titles. As an individual, she established her place as a legend having won the 2003-04 Honda Sports Award as the highest ranked female volleyball player. Ross studied International Relations at USC. Margie Ross didn't get to see Ross achieve beach volleyball's top level. Ross's mother passed away from breast carcinoma in 2001. Ross had just become a second-year student at USC. Ross holds her mother close to her heart. Margie remains an inspiration on and off of the beach.