Golden dreams: Ross, Klineman advance to final

“She’s worked so hard to get where she is. This is what we wanted for each other.”

April Ross, on teammate Alix Klineman

TOKYO — Was it Cowboy Junkies? Kenny Chesney? Maybe Shania Twain.

Whatever music inspired April Ross to lean over to Alix Klineman at the Stagecoach music festival in 2017 and say, “You know, I’m looking for a new partner,” it was definitely the right tune.

Four years later, the two seem to be in perfect harmony. After beating Switzerland in straight sets Thursday, they advanced to the goldmedal match where they will take on Australia. Gametime temps for their morning semifinal match were near 100; Friday’s final is at 11:30 and will be uncomfortable.

For Ross, of course, this is old hat. She already has two medals, silver in London with Jennifer Kessy — losing gold to Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May Treanor — and bronze in Rio, which she won with Walsh Jennings.

When Walsh Jennings retired after Rio, Ross was looking for a new partner. It was at Stagecoach that she ran into Klineman and made her pitch.

Ross’ choice was a surprise. Klineman, a former allconference player of the year at Stanford and NCAA runnerup, had been one of the last cuts off the volleyball indoor team for Rio. She was playing professionally in Brazil. She was an indoor player.

But she was frustrated by being left off the Rio team and wanted a new challenge. So, at 26, she made the switch to beach.

It took a long time to learn the beach game. She was extremely persistent. Ross says her partner studies the game “better than anyone.”

“Ever since becoming her partner, there’s been a big feeling of not wanting to let her down because she took a huge risk on me,” said Klineman, 31, who graduated from Stanford in 2010. “She believed in me and that’s been a huge motivating factor to work my hardest every day and to not make her regret her decision.”

Ross, 39, does not regret her decision. Not at all.

“She’s worked so hard to get where she is,” Ross said. “This is what we wanted for each other.”

Playing for gold.

Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images April Ross and Alix Klineman of the U.S. celebrate after defeating Switzerland in straight sets Thursday during the beach volleyball semifinals. They take on Australia for the gold medal.