Matt Anderson (volleyball)

Matthew John Anderson (born April 18, 1987) is an American volleyball player. He is a member of the United States men's national volleyball team, with whom he was a participant of the Olympic Games (London 2012, Rio 2016), 2014 World League and 2015 World Cup.

Matthew Anderson
Personal information
Full nameMatthew John Anderson
NicknameMatt
Nationality American
Born (1987-04-18) April 18, 1987
Buffalo, New York, NY, USA
HometownWest Seneca, NY, USA
Height2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb)
Spike360 cm (142 in)
Block332 cm (131 in)
College(s)Pennsylvania State University
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter / Opposite
Current club Shanghai Golden Age
Career
YearsTeams
2006–2008
2008–2010
2010–2011
2011–2012
2012–2019
2019–2020
2020–		 Penn State Nittany Lions
Hyundai Capital
Volley Callipo
Modena Volley
Zenit Kazan
Modena Volley
Shanghai Golden Age
National team
2007– United States
Honours
Men's volleyball
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
2016 Rio de Janeiro
FIVB World Championship
2018 Italy/Bulgaria
FIVB World Cup
2015 Japan
2019 Japan
FIVB World League
2014 Florence
2012 Sofia
2015 Rio de Janeiro
FIVB Nations League
2019 Chicago
2018 Lille
Pan American Cup
2008 Winnipeg
NORCECA Championship
2013 Canada
2017 United States
2011 Puerto Rico
NORCECA Champions Cup
2015 Detroit

Personal life

Anderson was born in Buffalo, New York to Michael and Nancy Anderson. His father, Michael Anderson, died in January 2010. He has three older sisters named Jennifer, Joelle and Amy and one older brother named Joshua. Joelle and Amy both played volleyball in their college years. Has a tattoo on his wrist in honor of his nephew Tristin, who is autistic. Also had a tattoo in honor of his late father. Matt graduated from West Seneca West Senior High School in 2005. On August 30th, 2020, he married Jackie Gillum who gave birth to their son Michael James “Jamie” Anderson on January 31st, 2020.

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.
With another members of the U.S. national team, Holmes and Smith in 2012.

Career

Clubs

In his senior year, he led the West Seneca boys' volleyball team to a 17-0 regular-season record and a Sectional Finals appearance, losing to eventual state champion, Hamburg, in 3 sets. In 2004, the team were the 2004 Division I State Champions. He played club volleyball for Eden Volleyball Club in Eden, New York. Anderson followed an uncharacteristic growth path in his youth – only reaching his full height (6'8") as a Sophomore at Penn State. His original position was middle – playing that in his Sophomore and Junior seasons of high school. As he became more experienced in the game, he spent more time in the Outside and Right-side for Eden VBC. He ranks amongst the top alumni of the distinguished club to this day.

Anderson finished his career in Penn State with 1,212 kills and 82 aces, both which rank in the top 13 in Penn State history. He had a decorated career, especially in 2008 as he helped lead the Nittany Lions to their second ever NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship against Pepperdine. He was named the NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player for his 29 kill performance against the Waves. Other awards for 2008 include EIVA Player of the Year, AVCA National Player of the Year, AVCA First Team All-America, and All-EIVA First Team.

On July 1, 2008, he announced he would forgo his 2009 senior year at Penn State and signed a professional contract with Hyundai Capital Skywalkers of the Korean League[1] In his debut season, Anderson helped the Skywalkers claim first in the regular season before losing 3-1 in the championship series. Season 2010–2011 spent in the Italian League as a player of Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia. Then he moved to Casa Modena. Since 2012, he has played for Russian club, Zenit Kazan. With this club, he won a bronze medal in the Russian Championship and CEV Champions League in 2012–2013.[2] In the season 2013–2014, his team won the title of Russian Champion and Anderson was the Most Valuable Player of the Russian League.[3][4]

On October 29, 2014, Anderson suspended his volleyball career. He asked for the termination of the contract with Zenit Kazan because of depression.[5][6] On December 26, 2014 Anderson announced his return to Zenit Kazan, but only in CEV Champions League matches.[7]

On February 13, 2017, Anderson announced that he had signed a contract to remain with Zenit Kazan for another season.[8]

Anderson decided to return to Modena Volley for the 2019–20 season.[9]

National team

In September 2013 USA, including Anderson, achieved a title of the NORCECA Champion.[10] On July 20, 2014 he was part of the team that won a gold medal of the 2014 World League.[11]

Sporting achievements

Clubs

Individual awards

See also
Awards
Preceded by
Keibel Gutiérrez		 Most Valuable Player of
NORCECA Championship
2013		 Succeeded by
Nicholas Hoag
Preceded by
Maxim Mikhaylov		 Most Valuable Player of
FIVB World Cup
2015		 Succeeded by
Alan Souza
Preceded by
Wallace de Souza		 Best Opposite Spiker of
FIVB World Grand Champions Cup
2017		 Succeeded by
TBD
Preceded by
Not Awarded		 Best Opposite Spiker of
FIVB Nations League
2018
2019		 Succeeded by
TBD
Preceded by
Maxim Mikhaylov		 Most Valuable Player of
FIVB Nations League
2019		 Succeeded by
TBD

References
  1. Anderson to forego senior year; signs professional contract in Korea Archived July 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine – gopsusports.cstv.com – 2008-07-01
  2. Zenit KAZAN settles for bronze to celebrate fourth European medal Archived September 16, 2017, at the Wayback Machine – cev.lu – 2013-03-17
  3. RUS M: Zenit Kazan keeps Matt Anderson – worldofvolley.com – 2014-05-04
  4. Zenit Kazan wins national championship Archived December 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine – end.tatar-inform.ru – 2014-04-14
  5. Андерсон решил приостановить карьеру – zenit-kazan.com – 2014-10-29
  6. Matt Anderson terminated contract with Zenit – worldofvolley.com – 2014-10-29
  7. American Anderson to return to Zenit-Kazan – fivb.org – 2014-12-26
  8. Keith, Braden (February 24, 2017). "American Matt Anderson Re-Signs With Zenit Kazan For Another Season". VolleyMob. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  9. TRANSFER BOMB IN ITALY: Matt Anderson joins Modena for 2019/2020 season!
  10. U.S. Men Win 2013 NORCECA Championship – teamusa.org – 2013-09-28
  11. USA upset Brazil to claim second World League title – fivb.org – 2014-07-20
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