April Ross

April Ross is one of the few female beach volleyball athletes to win medals in multiple Olympics. The American will play in Tokyo to compete for her third Olympic medal, along with Alix Klineman who is a first time Olympian. Ross wants to achieve more than her first Olympic medal. And at the age of 39, this could be her last chance achieve it. However, she's confident that top honors are firmly on the horizon. If we play our best or even well I feel like we can get that gold medal Ross stated on NBC Boston. Therefore, I'm hoping to have an extra bit of luck too. Ross Born in 1982 and was raised in Costa Mesa California with her sisters and parents, was the first to begin competing in sports at Newport Harbor High School. She went on to compete in many activities during her time at Newport Harbor High School. She participated in basketball and track, in addition to her indoor volleyball achievements as a pre-collegiate athlete. She was clearly the best in the game of indoor volleyball. According to her bio, she was a middle blocker and an outside hitter in the volleyball court throughout her high-school career. The effort was recognized with her being selected as 1999 Gatorade's Circle of Champions' National Players of the Year. She also won her an Orange County Athlete of the Award in the year 2000. Though Ross and Klineman are in the spotlight in 2017 and beyond, Klineman had been an experienced athlete on the beach long before their pairing. She was a winner of multiple major tournaments with two different partners, one that is also famous for her volleyball skills. She partnered up with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, as well as serving as the Klineman's assistant and Kessy's coach. Kessy as well as Ross proved to be a formidable force in the world circuit, winning a 2009 world title together. The pair eventually captured one silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor won gold, winning over them. Ross Walsh was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's exit. They went on to take home the bronze medal for beach volleyball during the Rio Olympics in 2016. After high school and many years before hitting the sand professionally, Ross balled out for the USC Trojans as university. Her time at USC was impressive. As a freshman in 2000 she fought her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman of the Year recognition and was an All-American. The Trojans even made it to the Final Four. After her sophomore year, she went through a heartbreaking personal loss and still was successful in being named an All-American. The two years following her, she took the Trojans up the mountain to win consecutive national titles. For her part, she cemented her place as a legend when she won the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. This award was given to the best female collegiate player in the country. Ross studied the study of international relations in USC. Sadly, Ross mom Margie didn't get to watch her daughter ascend to the most elite levels of beach volleyball stardom. Ross's mother died in the year 2001. Ross was still a USC sophomore. It was discovered that she had breast cancer. Ross holds her mother dear. Margie remains a constant source of inspiration for her, both in and out of the water.