Matt Anderson (volleyball)

Matthew John Anderson (born April 18, 1987) is an American professional volleyball player. He is part of the U.S. national team, a bronze medalist at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and the 2018 World Championship, 2014 World League and 2015 World Cup winner. He is a multiple winner of the CEV Champions League with the Russian club Zenit Kazan. At the professional club level, he plays for Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Matt Anderson
Personal information
Full nameMatthew John Anderson
NicknameMatt, Matty
NationalityAmerican
Born (1987-04-18) April 18, 1987
Buffalo, New York, United States
HometownWest Seneca, New York, United States
Height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Weight212.0 lb (96.16 kg)
Spike140 in (360 cm)
Block131 in (332 cm)
College / UniversityPennsylvania State University
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter / opposite
Current clubZenit Saint Petersburg
Career
YearsTeams
2006–2008
2008–2010
2010–2011
2011–2012
2012–2019
2019–2020
2020–2021
2021–2022
2022–		Penn State Nittany Lions
Hyundai Capital
Volley Callipo
Modena Volley
Zenit Kazan
Modena Volley
Shanghai Golden Age
Sir Safety Perugia
Zenit Saint Petersburg
National team
2007– United States
Honours
Men's volleyball
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place2016 Rio de Janeiro
FIVB World Championship
Bronze medal – third place2018 Italy/Bulgaria
FIVB World Cup
Gold medal – first place2015 Japan
Gold medal – first place2023 Japan
Bronze medal – third place2019 Japan
FIVB World League
Gold medal – first place2014 Florence
Silver medal – second place2012 Sofia
Bronze medal – third place2015 Rio de Janeiro
FIVB Nations League
Silver medal – second place2019 Chicago
Silver medal – second place2023 Gdańsk
Bronze medal – third place2018 Lille
Pan American Cup
Gold medal – first place2008 Winnipeg
NORCECA Championship
Gold medal – first place2013 Langley
Gold medal – first place2017 Colorado Springs
Gold medal – first place2023 Charleston
Silver medal – second place2011 Mayaguez

Personal life

Matthew Anderson was born in Buffalo, New York to Michael and Nancy Anderson on April 18, 1987. His father died in January 2010. He is the youngest of five children, having three older sisters named Jennifer, Joelle, and Amy and one older brother named Joshua. He has many tattoos dedicated to family members including his late father, wife, and son. Matthew graduated from West Seneca West Senior High School in 2005. He attended Penn State for college. On August 29, 2020, he married Jacquelyn Marie Gillum. Jackie gave birth to their son “Jamie” Michael James Anderson on January 31, 2020. On April 9 2022 they welcomed their daughter Virginia June “Juno".

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

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.

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. In 2012, he moved to Zenit Kazan in Russia. With this club, he won a bronze medal in the Russian Championship and CEV Champions League in 2012–13.[2] In the season 2013–14, 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. the U.S., 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]

Honors

Club

Individual awards

See also

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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