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Matthew John Anderson (born April 18, 1987) is an American professional volleyball player and member of the United States men's national volleyball team. He is a two-time Olympic medalist, having won bronze at the 2016 and 2024 Summer Olympics, and was part of the gold-winning teams at the 2014 World League and 2015 World Cup. With the Russian volleyball club Zenit Kazan, he has won numerous CEV Champions League tournaments.

Early life

Anderson was born in Buffalo, New York and raised in the nearby town of West Seneca. He grew up playing multiple sports and began playing volleyball at age 15. He attended West Seneca West High School, where he led his volleyball team to a state championship in 2004 and a 17–0 record in his senior year.[1]

Anderson attended Pennsylvania State University, where he helped the volleyball team win their second-ever NCAA Championship. He was named Most Outstanding Player and AVCA Player of the Year for his performance.[2]

Anderson during a match Copra Elior Piacenza – Casa Modena on January 2, 2012.
Anderson during the 2014 World Championship playing against Italy in Kraków, Poland.

Career

Club

On July 1, 2008, Anderson announced he would forgo his 2009 senior year at Penn State and signed a professional contract with Hyundai Capital Skywalkers of the Korean League.[3] In his debut season, Anderson helped the Skywalkers claim first in the regular season before losing 3–1 in the championship series. He then played two seasons in the Italian league, first as part of Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia and then for Casa Modena.

In 2012, he moved to Zenit Kazan in Russia. During his first year with the team, he won a bronze medal in the Russian Championship and CEV Champions League.[4] In 2014, Zenit Kazan won the Russian Championship, with Anderson being named Most Valuable Player of the league.[5][6] He played with Zenit Kazan until 2018.

Anderson returned to Modena Volley for the 2019–20 season.[7] In 2021, he joined Sir Safety Perugia, then returned to Russia to play with Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2022.[8] In his 2023–2024 season, Anderson played for Ziraat Bankasi of the Turkish league. After earning bronze in the Champions League with the team, Anderson was named best outside hitter.[9][10]

National team

Anderson has been a member of the United States men's national volleyball team since 2008 and has been the team's leading scorer since 2011.[11] In 2012, Anderson was the youngest player named to the roster for the 2012 Summer Olympics.[12] With the team, he earned a bronze medal at the 2016 and 2024 Summer Olympics.[13]

In addition to the Olympics, Anderson has earned numerous medals at major international competitions including gold at the 2015 World Cup and 2013 and 2023 NORCECA Continental Championships, silver at the 2019 and 2023 Volleyball Nations League, and bronze at the 2018 Volleyball Nations League and 2019 World Cup.[11]

Personal life

Anderson married food stylist and photographer Jackie Gillum in 2020. They have two children together, a son named Michael James and a daughter named Virginia June.[14] The family resides in Zionsville, Indiana.[1] Anderson is close friends with his Penn State and U.S. national teammate Max Holt, whom he considers an uncle to his children.[15]

In 2014, Anderson took a break from volleyball due to depression stemming from the deaths of his father and cousin.[16][17]

Honors

Club

  • Domestic
    • 2008–09 South Korean Championship, with Cheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers
    • 2012–13 Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2013–14 Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2014–15 Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2014–15 Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2015–16 Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2015–16 Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2015–16 Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2016–17 Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2016–17 Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2016–17 Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2017–18 Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2017–18 Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2017–18 Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2018–19 Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2018–19 Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan
    • 2021–22 Italian Cup, with Sir Safety Perugia

Individual awards

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Benbow, Dana Hunsinger. "There's a dad living in Zionsville headed to his fourth Olympics as USA volleyball star". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "Anderson Named AVCA National Co-Player of the Year". gopsusports.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Anderson to forego senior year; signs professional contract in Korea Archived July 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine – gopsusports.cstv.com – 2008-07-01
  4. ^ Zenit KAZAN settles for bronze to celebrate fourth European medal Archived September 16, 2017, at the Wayback Machine – cev.lu – 2013-03-17
  5. ^ RUS M: Zenit Kazan keeps Matt Anderson – worldofvolley.com – 2014-05-04
  6. ^ Zenit Kazan wins national championship Archived December 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine – end.tatar-inform.ru – 2014-04-14
  7. ^ TRANSFER BOMB IN ITALY: Matt Anderson joins Modena for 2019/2020 season!
  8. ^ "West Seneca's Matt Anderson, Team USA volleyball's leader, in for another run at Paris Olympics". News 4 Buffalo. August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Lambert, Blair (October 31, 2023). "International men: Pro seasons underway for USA men, including Anderson in Türkiye". Volleyballmag.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Costeiu, Adrian (April 30, 2024). "Fans have decided: Six teams represented in the CEV Champions League Volley 2024 Men All-Star Team". CEV. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Matt Anderson". USA Volleyball. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  12. ^ "Olympian Matt Anderson on the State of Team USA Volleyball". Men's Health. July 23, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  13. ^ "U.S. men's volleyball tops Italy for bronze medal". ESPN.com. August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  14. ^ "Who is US volleyball player Matt Anderson's wife? What to know about Jackie Anderson and their two children". TODAY.com. August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "From Penn State to Team USA: Matt Anderson and Maxwell Holt ride volleyball bond to bronze medal match". NCAA.org. August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  16. ^ "Personal Loss Gives Strength to WNY Volleyball Olympian Matt Anderson in Rio". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "Road to Rio: U.S. men's volleyball player Matt Anderson no longer out on limb". Orange County Register. May 11, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
Awards
Preceded by Most Valuable Player of
FIVB World Cup
2015 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Best Opposite Spiker of
FIVB World Grand Champions Cup
2017 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Not awarded
 Best Opposite Spiker of
FIVB Nations League
2018
2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Best Opposite Spiker of
FIVB World Championship
2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Most Valuable Player of
FIVB Nations League
2019 		Succeeded by
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