April Ross facts for kids

Quick facts for kids April Ross
Ross at the 2017 AVP Austin Open
Personal information
Full name	April Elizabeth Ross
Nickname	Ross The Boss
Born	(1982-06-20) June 20, 1982 (age 43) Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
Hometown	Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	76 kg (168 lb)
College(s)	USC
Beach volleyball information
Current teammate
Years Teammate 2024 Alix Klineman
Previous teammates
Years Teammate 2018–2021, 2024 2017 2013–2017 2007–2013 2006 2006 2006 Alix Klineman Lauren Fendrick Kerri Walsh Jennings Jennifer Kessy Keao Burdine Barbra Fontana Nancy Mason
Medal record Women's beach volleyball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2020 Tokyo Beach Silver 2012 London Beach Bronze 2016 Rio de Janeiro Beach World Championships Gold 2009 Stavanger Beach Silver 2017 Vienna Beach Silver 2019 Hamburg Beach World Tour Finals Bronze 2021 Cagliari Beach World Tour Gold 2007 Stavanger Beach Gold 2008 Phuket Beach Gold 2008 Sanya Beach Gold 2009 Marseille Beach Gold 2009 Phuket Beach Gold 2010 Shanghai Beach Gold 2010 Rome Beach Gold 2011 Stavanger Beach Gold 2012 Bangsaen Beach Gold 2013 São Paulo Beach Gold 2013 Xiamen Beach Gold 2014 Fuzhou Beach Gold 2014 Moscow Beach Gold 2014 Stavanger Beach Gold 2014 Long Beach Beach Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro Beach Gold 2016 Fuzhou Beach Gold 2016 Cincinnati Beach Gold 2016 Moscow Beach Gold 2016 Long Beach Beach Gold 2018 The Hague Beach Gold 2019 Yangzhou Beach Gold 2019 Itapema Beach Gold 2019 Gstaad Beach Gold 2021 Doha Beach Silver 2007 St. Petersburg Beach Silver 2008 Dubai Beach Silver 2009 Brasil Beach Silver 2009 Seoul Beach Silver 2009 PAF Beach Silver 2009 Sanya Beach Silver 2010 Moscow Beach Silver 2011 Shanghai Beach Silver 2011 Stare Jabłonki Beach Silver 2011 Phuket Beach Silver 2013 Rome Beach Silver 2015 Long Beach Beach Silver 2016 Vitória Beach Silver 2016 Gstaad Beach Silver 2019 Tokyo Beach Bronze 2008 Stavanger Beach Bronze 2009 Klagenfurt Beach Bronze 2009 Barcelona Beach Bronze 2010 Seoul Beach Bronze 2010 Sanya Beach Bronze 2011 Brasília Beach Bronze 2011 Myslowice Beach Bronze 2011 Beijing Beach Bronze 2012 Rome Beach Bronze 2015 Fuzhou Beach Bronze 2016 Xiamen Beach Bronze 2021 Cancún Beach Bronze 2021 Cancún Beach

April Elizabeth Ross (born June 20, 1982) is a famous American beach volleyball player. She has won three Olympic medals! She earned a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics with Jennifer Kessy. Then, she won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with Kerri Walsh Jennings. Finally, she achieved a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Alix Klineman. April Ross and Jennifer Kessy were also the 2009 Beach Volleyball World Champions.

Early Life and High School Sports

April Ross grew up in Newport Beach, California. She went to Newport Harbor High School. There, she was a talented athlete, playing both volleyball and basketball. She was even named the best high school volleyball player in the country!

In her senior year, she had amazing stats with 624 kills and 526 digs. She also played for the Orange County Volleyball Club for five years. April was part of the U.S. Junior National Team too. She is 6 feet, 1 inch tall.

April's Family Life

April is the daughter of Glen and Margie Ross. She has a sister named Amy Ross Marshall. April is married to Josh Riley.

Josh proposed to April in February 2022. They welcomed their son on October 25, 2023. April and Josh got married on September 14, 2024, in Manhattan Beach, California. Their 10-month-old son was even the ring bearer!

College Volleyball Career

April Ross played indoor volleyball when she went to the University of Southern California (USC). In her first year, she was named the best freshman player in her conference and nationally. She helped her team, the USC Trojans, reach the NCAA Final Four.

In 2001, as a sophomore, she continued to excel. She was one of the top players in her conference for kills, points, and digs. She helped USC get to the NCAA Regional Finals.

Winning National Titles

In her last two years at USC, April helped her team win two NCAA National Titles in a row! In 2002, USC beat Stanford for the championship. In 2003, they had a perfect season, winning every game. They defeated Florida in the NCAA championship match.

April finished her college career as one of USC's top players ever. She holds records in many areas, including points, service aces, and kills. In 2004, she won the Honda Sports Award. This award goes to the best female college volleyball player in the nation.

Professional Beach Volleyball Journey

Ross with Kerri Walsh Jennings and John Kerry

April Ross started her professional beach volleyball career. In 2008, she teamed up with Jennifer Kessy. They had a great year on the Swatch FIVB World Tour 2008. They finished third in one event and first in another in Thailand. April was named the Most Outstanding Player there.

On September 7, 2008, Ross and Kessy even beat the top team of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh. In 2009, they won the FIVB World Championships in Norway. They defeated a strong Brazilian team. By April 2012, April Ross had won many tournaments and a lot of prize money.

Success with Kerri Walsh Jennings

In 2016, April played with Kerri Walsh Jennings. They won a gold medal at the Long Beach Grand Slam. This was part of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.

Teaming Up with Alix Klineman

Ross and Alix Klineman (right) in 2019

At the end of 2017, April Ross and Alix Klineman became beach volleyball partners. They won their very first tournament together in January 2018. They continued to win many events on the 2018 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. These wins included the Austin Open and the Manhattan Beach Open. They were named the AVP Team of the Year in November 2018.

Their success continued into 2019. They won more AVP events and an FIVB tournament. They also earned a silver medal at the 2019 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Germany. In 2020, they won several AVP cups. They teamed up again for the 2024 AVP season.

Olympic Achievements

London 2012: Silver Medal

At the 2012 London Olympics, April Ross and Jennifer Kessy won the silver medal. They beat a strong Brazilian team in the semi-finals. In the final match, they played against their American teammates, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, and earned the silver.

Rio 2016: Bronze Medal

In 2013, April Ross started training with Kerri Walsh Jennings for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. April played as a defender, while Kerri was the blocker. They won the bronze medal match against another Brazilian team. This was April's second Olympic medal!

Tokyo 2020: Gold Medal

On August 6, 2021, April Ross and Alix Klineman won the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. They won their final match against Australia. They were amazing throughout the whole tournament, winning every single match. They only lost one set in seven matches! This gold medal allowed April to complete her collection of Olympic medals: gold, silver, and bronze.

Awards and Honors

April Ross has received many awards throughout her career.

College Awards

• Honda Sports Award (2004) - for being the best female college volleyball player.

International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Awards

• FIVB Top Rookie: 2007
• FIVB Best Offensive Player: 2009
• FIVB Best Hitter: 2009, 2011
• FIVB Best Server: 2011, 2012, 2015–2017

Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Awards

• AVP Rookie of the Year: 2006
• AVP Most Improved Player: 2007
• AVP Best Server: 2013–2017
• AVP Best Offensive Player: 2013, 2017
• AVP Most Valuable Player: 2013–2017
• AVP Team of the Year:
  • 2012 (with Jennifer Kessy)
  • 2014, 2016 (with Kerri Walsh Jennings)
  • 2019 (with Alix Klineman)

Clubs April Played For

• Leonas de Ponce (2004–2006) - a team in Puerto Rico
• Orange County Volleyball Club (for 5 Years)

See also

In Spanish: April Ross para niños