MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — It’s nothing like rooting for one of your own in the Olympics.
A group of friends and family have been cheering on Manhattan Beach native Alix Klineman, who is looking for gold in beach volleyball with partner April Ross of Costa Mesa.
What You Need To Know
- Alix Klineman and April Ross are just two wins away from an Olympic gold medal in beach volleyball
- Klineman is a Manhattan Beach native
- Klineman's family and friends have been holding growing watch parties throughout the Olympics
- Ross and Klineman play in the semifinal Wednesday at 5 p.m. PST
Ani Michalski has known Klineman for a decade.
“I knew who she was before I knew her in like 8th, 9th, 10th grade,” Michalski said. “It was obvious she was going somewhere. We’re so proud of her.”
If weren’t for COVID-19, many of Klineman's loved ones who gather for watch parties would have been in Japan for her first-ever Olympics. Instead, Michalski’s cheers, along with everyone else’s, will just have to reach across the Pacific.
"We all wish we could be in Tokyo, but if this is the next best thing, then we’ll take it," Michalski said.
They all watched with total focus to see if Klineman and Ross — known as the A-team — could get pass their quarterfinal matchup with Germany. No one was paying more attention than Klineman’s father, Mike.
After Klineman and Ross recently won, Mike, his wife and daughter got to congratulate them from thousands of miles away.
“We’re so excited for you and so proud of you,” Mike told them. “I just don’t know what to say. I’m really happy the way you won the match.”
"Alix and April, you’re so awesome," Kathie Klineman added. "You did great, and we’re looking forward to seeing the semifinals now."
The A-Team is now just two wins away from a gold medal, and Michalski will be ready for the victorious homecoming.
"We’d like to throw a pretty big party for her," she said.
If they win Wednesday night against Switzerland, they move on the gold medal match.