| Full Name: | Matthew John Anderson |
| Nickname: | Matt, Matty |
| Birth Date: | April 18, 1987 |
| Birth Place: | Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Hometown: | West Seneca, New York, U.S. |
| Height: | 2.08m (06.82feet) |
| Weight: | 96.16kg (212lb) |
| Spike: | 360cm (140inches) |
| Block: | 332cm (131inches) |
| College: | Pennsylvania State University |
| Position: | Outside hitter / opposite |
| Currentclub: | Ziraat Bankası Ankara |
| Years: | 2006–2008 2008–2010 2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2019 2019–2020 2021–2022 2022–2023 2023– |
| Teams: | Penn State Nittany Lions Hyundai Capital Volley Callipo Modena Volley Zenit Kazan Modena Volley Sir Safety Perugia Zenit Saint Petersburg Ziraat Bankası Ankara |
| Nationalyears: | 2008– still playing |
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 medals 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 titles.
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]
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]
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.
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. 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]