Matthew John Anderson (born April 18, 1987) is an American professionalvolleyball player and member of theUnited States men's national volleyball team. He is a two-time Olympic medalist, having won bronze medals at the2016 and2024 Summer Olympics, and was part of the gold-winning teams at the2014 World League and2015 World Cup. With the Russian volleyball clubZenit Kazan, he has won numerousCEV Champions League titles.
Anderson was born inBuffalo, New York and raised in the nearby town ofWest 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 attendedPennsylvania State University, where he helped the volleyball team win their second-everNCAA Championship. He was named Most Outstanding Player andAVCA Player of the Year for his performance.[2]
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On July 1, 2008, Anderson announced he would forgo his 2009 senior year atPenn State and signed a professional contract withHyundai Capital Skywalkers of theKorean 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 ofTonno Callipo Vibo Valentia and then forCasa Modena.
In 2012, he moved toZenit Kazan in Russia. During his first year with the team, he won a bronze medal in the Russian Championship andCEV 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 joinedSir Safety Perugia, then returned to Russia to play withZenit Saint Petersburg in 2022.[8] In his 2023–2024 season, Anderson played forZiraat Bankasi of the Turkish league. After earning bronze in the Champions League with the team, Anderson was named best outside hitter.[9][10]
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 the2012 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 the2015 World Cup and 2013 and 2023NORCECA Continental Championships, silver at the 2019 and 2023Volleyball Nations League, and bronze at the 2018 Volleyball Nations League and 2019 World Cup.[11]
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 inZionsville, Indiana.[1] Anderson is close friends with his Penn State and U.S. national teammateMax 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]
Betim 2015 – with Zenit KazanBetim 2016 – with Zenit Kazan
Poland 2017 – with Zenit Kazan
South Korean Championship, withCheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers
Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan
Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan Russian Championship, with Zenit Kazan Russian SuperCup, with Zenit Kazan Russian Cup, with Zenit Kazan Italian Cup, withSir Safety Perugia
| 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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2012 USA Olympic Volleyball Team (women's indoor – silver medal, women's beach – gold & silver) | ||
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| Qualification | _pictogram.svg) | |
| Men's indoor | ||
| Women's indoor | ||
| Men's beach | ||
| Women's beach | ||
| Coaches | ||
2016 USA Olympic Volleyball Team (men's indoor – bronze medal, women's indoor – bronze, women's beach – bronze) | ||
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| Qualification | | |
| Men's indoor | ||
| Women's indoor | ||
| Men's beach | ||
| Women's beach | ||
| Coaches | ||
2020 USA Olympic Volleyball Team (women's indoor – gold, women's beach – gold) | ||
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| Qualification | | |
| Men's indoor | ||
| Women's indoor | ||
| Men's beach | ||
| Women's beach | ||
| Coaches | ||
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