Matthew John Anderson (born April 18, 1987) is an American professional volleyball player. He is part of the US 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.
Matthew Anderson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Full name | Matthew John Anderson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nickname | Matt, Matty | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | (1987-04-18) April 18, 1987 (age 35) Buffalo, United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hometown | West Seneca, United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 96.16 kg (212 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spike | 360 cm (142 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Block | 332 cm (131 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
College / University | Pennsylvania State University | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Volleyball information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Outside hitter / Opposite | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current club | Zenit Saint Petersburg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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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".
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]
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]
Awards | ||
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Preceded by | Most Valuable Player of FIVB World Cup 2015 |
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Preceded by | 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 |
Preceded by | Most Valuable Player of FIVB Nations League 2019 |
Succeeded by |
United States men's volleyball squad – 2012 Summer Olympics – 5th place | ||
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United States squad – 2015 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup – Gold medal | ||
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United States men's volleyball squad – 2016 Summer Olympics – Bronze medal | ||
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United States squad – 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship – Bronze medal | ||
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2012 USA Olympic Volleyball Team (women's indoor – silver medal, women's beach – gold & silver) | ||
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Qualification |
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Men's indoor |
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Women's indoor | ||
Men's beach |
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Women's beach | ||
Coaches |
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2016 USA Olympic Volleyball Team (men's indoor – bronze medal, women's indoor – bronze, women's beach – bronze) | ||
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Qualification |
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Men's indoor | ||
Women's indoor | ||
Men's beach |
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Women's beach |
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Coaches |
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2020 USA Olympic Volleyball Team (women's indoor – gold, women's beach – gold) | ||
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Qualification |
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Men's indoor |
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Women's indoor | ||
Men's beach |
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Women's beach |
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Coaches |
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