July 1st, 2013

April Ross finally confirms the news that she is teaming up with the great Kerri Walsh up to the 2016 Olympic Games.

April has released this statement via the FIVB:

“I’m excited to be playing with Kerri. Going towards Rio we plan to be partners and go for Rio. We don’t plan to be together until maybe September or October, just to get a little experience going into 2014. We’re 100 percent planning on it, Jen is in on it. It was a collaborative thing and I wanted to make sure that Jen was ok with it. It has been such a special partnership with Jen, I didn’t want it to end badly in any way, so we all worked it together and that is what is we are all happy with.”

April and Kerri will make their debut as partners at the Gstaad Grand Slam in Switzerland right after the ongoing FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Poland where April is currently playing with Whitney Pavlik.

April, 2009 World Champion with Jen Kessy, shared more about the injured Kessy.

“She’s out this week and next week. She really pushed her injuries in Rome and we did do really well in Rome, but she took a beating and a couple of the doctors thought she shouldn’t push it any farther, because if she did play on it, she might need surgery. So she’s taken the precaution she needs to. She’s out this week and next week and then plans to be in Long Beach.”

Ross and Kessy have won medals at 32 FIVB beach volleyball events, including 10 gold medals.

Kessy Speaks Up

First of all, Jen is NOT retiring. She is going to take a few weeks to rest and recover from an injury. Like what April said, it could get serious if she doesn’t take a break.

The FIVB has released this statement from Jen:

“I’ve had some hip issues and I had an Achilles issue in the Brazil World Cup Final that was caused by the hip problem. I need to take a break. Sadly it came during World Championships, but I didn’t want to do any further permanent damage.”

As for future plans…

“I’m not retiring. I do eventually want to slow down and spend more time with my husband (French beach volleyball player Andy Cès, whom she married in March), but April and I are still playing together. I really wanted to try to win another World Championship.”

Awwwww family over volleyball!

Take note, the last time we are going to see Aprill Ross and Jen Kessy playing together will be in Long Beach Grand Slam in California at the end of this month.

June 28th, 2013

And she’s none other than 2012 Olympic silver medalist…

April Ross!

Yay!

The 3 time Olympic gold medalist, Kerri Walsh, has released this statement via People:

“She’s a stud and has been working her butt off for the past couple years. I want to be with a winner and that’s why I asked her. I’ve had a lot of months to think about it and it’s very bittersweet,” says Walsh Jennings, who is already eyeing the 2016 Olympics. “I’m so proud of what we accomplished together. We still love each other infinitely, but it was time to move on.”

It’s a really heavy experience, but it’s a really special one. You see each other every single day, you travel together and you live together out of suitcases, staying in dinky hotel rooms in Europe.

Kerri is also trying to lose the 36 lbs. she has gained during her pregnancy.

“I have 12 more pounds to go. I want to look good in my bikini, so I’m facing the ultimate challenge, but I’m up for it.”

Kerri will make her first appearance since London at the at the Long Beach Grand Slam with interim partner Whitney Pavlik.

In case you didn’t know, Misty May Treanor has retired after London to focus on her family life.

April Ross’ current partner, Jen Kessy, to clarify what her plans are afte the 2013 beach season ends:

I’m NOT retiring! I’m nursing some injuries and will be back in Long Beach w/ @AprilRossBeach. Don’t always believe everything you read!

See tweet below:

Good luck ladies!

Any thoughts?

(images: teamusa.org/ zimbio.com)