April Ross

April Ross, a beach volleyball player from the United States, is among a select set of females who've won medals in multiple Olympics. In Tokyo in the coming days, she'll try to claim her third Olympic medal with fellow the first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. But more than that, Ross will be aiming for her first Olympic gold. At 39 this may be her final chance to do so. But she's confident top awards are within reach. Ross declared on NBC Boston: "If we try our best, and even If we play our best I believe we can be able to win gold." Also, it's the result of luck. Ross was born in California in Costa Mesa in 1982. Her family lived in the area with her father, mother and sister. Apart from competing in various sport, she also attended Newport Harbor High School. In her time as a college athlete she was also a participant in indoor track and volleyball. While she did well in indoor volleyball but it was apparent that her performance was above the average. Based on her bio, she was a middle blocker and outside volleyball player throughout her time in high school. Gatorade Circle Of Champions named her as the National Player 1999. She also captured the award in 2000. Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Although Ross and Klineman have been doing their thing from 2017 onward, the former was already an established participant on the beaches long before their pairing. It's true that she has been able to win multiple tournaments, including one with a legendary volleyball player. From 2007 until 2013, she was partnered by Jennifer Kessy, who is the coach she is currently. Together with Kessy Ross was a force in the world circuit, winning the world championship in 2009. The pair eventually picked up a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The Misty Maytreanor legendary team along with Kerri Jennings took home the gold. Ross Walsh was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's resignation. The team won bronze in beach volleyball during the Rio Olympics 2016. Ross played for the Trojans of USC in her college the years prior to her professional career. Ross had an impressive run during her time in the NCAA tournament. In 2000, as a freshman she fought her way to Pac-10 and NCAA All-American Freshman of Year awards and was an All-American. She also helped her Trojans to make it to the Final Four. Her heart was broken through a tragedy in her life during her second year, but she was able to make it an All-American in her second year. In her last two seasons in the Trojans in the program the team was led to victory by winning consecutive national championships. As an individual Ross established her status as a legend by winning the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. This prize was awarded to the best female college volleyball players across the country. Ross who was an USC international relations student was a star in volleyball. Margie Ross was never able to see her daughter make it to the top of the beach volleyball ladder. Margie, Ross's mother, passed away in 2001 when Ross was in the midst of being a USC sophomore. She had breast cancer. This meant that Ross remains close to her parent who died. Margie remains an inspiration on and off at the beach.