Why Jen Kessy and April Ross Will Dominate at London Olympics

Hunger is the ultimate equalizer. 

While Jen Kessy and April Ross might not be the favorites to take home gold in women's beach volleyball in London, they have something else working in their favor.

They want it more.

Kessy and Ross—even though they were ranked fifth in the world—failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics because they were only the third best American duo. Only two teams from each country make the tournament. 

That only made the former USC Trojans want glory at London even more. 

Kessy and Ross, ironically enough, officially qualified for the 2012 Olympics in Shanghai, the same country they failed to make it to in 2008.

Qualification, however, is just the first step for the duo that has been playing doubles together since 2007. If they are going to make up for lost time, they are going to have to bring home gold. 

In addition to that hunger that will make Kessy and Ross incredibly tough to deal with, they have a few other things going in their favor. 

Tight Partnership

When it's just you and your teammate out there on an island together, you better believe trust and chemistry are just as important as talent. 

So while Kessy and Ross are only ranked fourth in the world, trailing talented teams such as Larissa Franca and Juliana Silva of Brazil, Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China and, of course, their fellow Americans Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, they are at the top of the world in friendship.

These two women have only been playing together for five years, but for them, even at a veteran age, to take such a quick path to top of the rankings truly speaks to how well they work together. 

They've Shown They Can Win on the Biggest Stage

Kessy, 34, and Ross, 30, certainly have plenty of experience under their belts, and while they have yet to appear in the Olympics, their track record speaks for itself.

Most notably, the duo took home gold at the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Stavanger, taking out Larissa and Juliana on the way. 

This duo has proven time and time again it can compete with the world's best, and considering it has a little extra motivation, don't be surprised when it takes home gold later this month. 

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