Matt Anderson
Opposite/Outside Hitter, 6-10
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (December 20, 2023) – Catching up with the U.S. Men overseas before many of the clubs take the week off for the holidays.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Continuing the fourth round of Champions League play, Ziraat Bankasi of Türkiye with opposite Matt Anderson beat Olympiacos Piraeus of Greece 3-1 (25-18, 20-25, 25-20, 25-22) on December 12. Anderson had 17 points on 16 kills and one block.
On December 13, Poland’s Grupa Azoty Zaksa Kędzierzyn-Koźle with middle blocker David Smith and libero Erik Shoji beat Knack Roeselare of Belgium 3-2 (25-20, 21-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-10). Shoji had a 60 percent positive reception rate and two errors. Smith did not play.
Ziraat and Anderson beat Zaksa with Smith and Shoji 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-21) on December 19. Anderson had 15 points on 11 kills, three blocks, and one ace. Shoji had a 33 percent positive receptions rate and one error. Smith did not play.
Poland’s Asseco Resovia Rzeszów with outside hitter T.J. DeFalco lost to Italy’s Trentino Itas 3-0 (25-21, 26-24, 25-20) on December 13. DeFalco did not play.
Germany’s SVG Lüneburg and middle blocker Matthew Knigge lost to Poland’s Jastrzębski Węgiel 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-13) on December 13. Knigge had eight points on seven kills and one ace.
On December 20, SVG Lüneburg and Knigge lost to Guaguas Las Palmas of Spain 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-16). Knigge had five points on four kills and one ace.
Berlin Recycling Volleys of Germany and Cody Kessel lost to Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza of Italy 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19) on December 13. Kessel had eight points on eight kills.
On December 14, Türkiye’s Halkbank and setter Micah Ma’a swept Portugal’s Sport Lisboa e Benfica (25-17, 25-23, 25-16). Ma’a had four points on one kill, one block, and two aces.
Berlin and Kessel beat Halkbank and Ma’a 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-22). Kessel did not play. Ma’a had four points on three kills and one ace.
Champions League will pick back up in the new year with Asseco and DeFalco up first against Tours VB of France on January 9.
CEV CHALLENGE CUP
On December 13, Poland’s Projekt Warszawa and middle blocker Taylor Averill beat France’s St-Nazaire with opposite Kyle Ensing and outside hitter Jordan Ewert 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-18). Averill had four points on three kills and one ace. Ensing had nine points on nine kills. Ewert had six points on six kills.
Matching up again on December 20, Projekt Warszawa beat St-Nazaire 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18). Averill had four points on three kills and one ace. Ewert had 18 points on 17 kills and one ace. Ensing had 14 points on 14 kills.
Romania’s CSA Steaua Bucuresti and outside hitter Brett Wildman lost to Germany’s Helios Grizzlys Giesen 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 16-14) on December 14. Wildman did not play.
ITALY
On December 8, Prisma Taranto Volley with middle blocker Jeff Jendryk and opposite Kyle Russell lost to Gas Sale Bluenergy Piacenza 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16). Russell had 15 points on nine kills, one block, and five aces. Jendryk had eight points on seven kills and one block.
Prisma Taranto Volley (0-10) with Jendryk and Russell lost to Allianz Milano 3-2 (19-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 15-3) on December 17. Jendryk had 12 points on eight kills, three blocks, and one ace. Russell recorded one kill.
Verona Volley with outside hitter Francesco Sani beat Allianz Milano 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 15-11) on December 10. Sani had 16 points on 14 kills and two blocks.
On December 17, Verona Volley (4-6) and Sani swept Cisterna Volley (25-23, 25-17, 27-25). Sani had 18 points on 16 kills and two blocks. Early in set two, Sani had an attack sneak through the block to finish a fun scramble rally for the point, see his Instagram post with the highlight below.
View this post on Instagram
Pallavolo Padova (4-6) with opposite Gabi Garcia Fernandez lost to Vero Volley Monza 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-21) on December 17. Garcia had 15 points on 12 kills and three serves.
POLAND
Setter Josh Tuaniga and Indykpol AZS Olsztyn beat opposite Jake Hanes and KGHM Cuprum Lubin 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-14) on December 9. Tuaniga led the team to a .440 hitting efficiency and added one kill and one block. Hanes had six points on five kills and one block.
On December 16, KGHM Cuprum Lubin (2-9) and Hanes lost to Exact Systems Hemarpol Częstochowa 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 27-25, 26-24). Despite losing, Hanes had a phenomenal outing with 25 points on 22 kills, two blocks, and one ace.
Indykpol AZS Olsztyn (6-5) and Tuaniga went up 2-0 in the match, however, fell short of the win after BOGDANKA LUK Lublin came back in five (27-29, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-9) on December 17. Tuaniga led the team to a .443 hitting efficiency and added four points on one kill, one block, and two aces.
On December 10, Projekt Warszawa and Averill beat Jastrzębski Węgiel 3-1 (25-22, 11-25, 25-23, 25-23). Averill did not play.
Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle with Shoji and Smith lost to Trefl Gdańsk 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-21) on December 10. Shoji was credited with seven digs and 15 receptions.
On December 16, Projekt Warszawa (11-1) and Averill beat Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle (6-6) with Shoji and Smith 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-22). Averill had eight points on five kills, two blocks, and one ace. Shoji was credited with 10 digs and 21 receptions.
On December 11, Asseco Resovia Rzeszów and DeFalco beat Enea Czarni Radom 3-2 (24-26, 25-17, 25-21, 25-27, 15-7). DeFalco did not play.
Asseco Resovia Rzeszów (10-2) and DeFalco beat Barkom Każany Lviv 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 28-26) on December 18. DeFalco did not play.
GERMANY
On December 3, SVG Lüneburg and Knigge swept Baden Volleys SSC Karlsruhe (25-21, 25-16, 25-17). Knigge did not play.
SVG Lüneburg (8-1) and Knigge held off SWD Powervolleys Düren to win in five (25-20, 25-14, 22-25, 21-25, 20-18) on December 17. Knigge had 11 points on seven kills, three blocks, and one ace.
Berlin Recycling Volleys and Kessel beat FT 1844 Freiburg 3-1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-19) on December 9. Kessel had 14 points on 11 kills and three blocks.
On December 17, Berlin Recycling Volleys (9-0) and Kessel swept Baden Volleys SSC Karlsruhe (25-18, 25-16, 25-13). Kessel had 10 points on six kills and four blocks.
TÜRKIYE
On December 9, Ziraat Bankasi with Anderson beat Bigadiç Bld 3-0 (26-24, 26-24, 25-12). Anderson did not play.
Ziraat Bankasi (10-2) followed up the next week with a sweep against Brand Group Alanya Belediyespor (25-23, 25-18, 25-17) on December 16. Anderson had 14 points on 11 kills, one block, and two aces.
Halkbank (11-0) and Ma’a continue their undefeated streak with a 3-1 win against Galatasaray HDI Insurance (25-18, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18) on December 17. Ma’a led the team to a .517 hitting efficiency and added five points on one kill, two blocks, and two aces.
FRANCE
Over the last two weeks, Narbonne Volley and libero Kyle Dagostino got their first wins of the season. Their first win was against Nice 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-17) on December 9. Dagostino was credited with 19 receptions.
The following week, Narbonne (2-10) beat Nantes Rezé 3-1 (25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 25-23) on December 16. Dagostino was credited with 22 receptions.
On December 9, Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 with middle blockers Patrick Gasman and Michael Marshman beat Montpellier 3-1 (18-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-22). Gasman had seven points on four kills and three blocks. Marshman had seven points on three kills, three blocks, and one ace.
Chaumont (10-2) with Gasman and Marshman swept Sète (25-19, 27-25, 25-22) on December 16. Marshman had eight points on six kills and two blocks. Gasman did not play. Another American, setter Joe Worsley, was named match MVP after leading the team to a .434 hitting efficiency and added three points on one kill and two blocks.
St-Nazaire with Ensing and Ewert beat Sète 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-22) on December 9. Ensing had a great performance with 20 points on 15 kills, two blocks, and three aces. Ewert had 16 points on 15 kills and one block.
On December 16, St-Nazaire (7-5) fell to Tourcoing 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-11). Despite the loss Ensing had another big game with 22 points on 20 kills and two aces. Ewert also played well with 18 points on 15 kills and three aces.
AUSTRIA
On December 9, Hypo Tirol (8-0) and libero Tim McIntosh beat VBC TLC Weiz 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-15, 25-14). McIntosh was credited with 26 receptions.
Hypo Tirol and McIntosh beat UVC McDonalds Ried 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-13) on December 16. McIntosh was credited with 12 receptions.
On December 18, Hypo Tirol and McIntosh improved to 11-0 on the season after their win against UVC Holding Graz 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-19). McIntosh was credited with 19 receptions.
FINLAND
Hurrikaani Loimaa with libero Troy Gooch beat Savo Volley 3-2 (25-18, 20-25, 25-22, 19-25, 15-10) on December 9. Gooch was credited with 14 receptions.
On December 10, Hurrikaani Loimaa with Gooch beat Karelian Hurmos 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-19). Gooch was credited with 21 receptions.
Hurrikaani Loimaa (10-3) fell to Raision Loimu in five (26-24, 19-24, 21-25, 25-19, 15-10) on December 16. Gooch was credited with 30 receptions.
NETHERLANDS
On December 8, Lycurgus Volleyball (8-4) and outside hitter Kyle McCauley swept Scherp in Packaging 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-22). McCauley had 14 points on 12 kills, one block, and one ace.
ROMANIA
On December 9, CSA Steaua Bucuresti and Wildman lost to SCMU Craiova 3-0 (25-21, 27-25, 25-21). Wildman did not play.
CSA Steaua Bucuresti (6-4) and Wildman fell to SCM Zalau 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-22) on December 17. Wildman had one point on one kill.
RUSSIA
On December 9, Zenit Kazan and setter Micah Christenson beat Kuzbass 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18, 15-6). Christenson led the team to a .452 hitting efficiency.
Zenit Kazan and Christenson swept Ural (25-15, 25-23, 25-21) on December 13. Christenson led the team to a .547 hitting efficiency and added three kills, two blocks, and one ace.
On December 20, Zenit Kazan swept Ugra (25-23, 26-24, 25-22). Christenson led the team to .382 hitting efficiency and added two blocks.
CLUB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Halkbank and Ma’a fell in the semifinals to Italy’s Sir Safety Susa Perugia 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 31-29) on December 9 in Bengaluru, India.
In the third-place match, Halkbank and Ma’a lost to Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds 3-2 (17-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 15-12).
David Smith
Middle Blocker, 6-7
Erik Shoji
Libero, 6-0 (184 cm)
TJ DeFalco
Outside Hitter, 6-5
Matthew Knigge
Middle Blocker, 6-7
Cody Kessel
Outside Hitter, 6-5
Micah Ma’a
Setter, 6-3
Taylor Averill
Middle Blocker, 6-7
Kyle Ensing
Opposite, 6-7
Jordan Ewert
Outside Hitter, 6-5
Brett Wildman
Outside Hitter, 6-5
Jeff Jendryk
Middle Blocker, 6-10
Kyle Russell
Opposite, 6-9
Francesco Sani
Opposite, 6-8
Jake Hanes
Opposite, 6-10
Kyle Dagostino
Libero, 5-9
Patrick Gasman
Middle Blocker, 6-10
Michael Marshman
Middle Blocker, 6-7
Tim McIntosh
Libero, 6-0
Troy Gooch
Libero, 6-0
Kyle McCauley
Outside Hitter, 6-4
Micah Christenson
Setter, 6-5
MNT Update: Club World Championships Begin
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (December 8, 2023) – So many great team and individual outings this week for the U.S. Men overseas including five-set thrillers and 20-plus point performances. CLUB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS The 2023 Men’s Club World Champs began this week and will continue through the weekend in Bengaluru, India. Halkbank and setter Micah Ma’a lost their...
MNT Update: U.S. Men Match Up in Champions League
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 30, 2023) – Catching up following Thanksgiving week, several U.S. Men went head-to-head in Champions League play. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE On November 22, Poland’s Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle with middle blocker David Smith and libero Erik Shoji beat Olympiacos Piraeus of Greece 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 28-26, 31-29). Smith had 12 points on seven...
MNT Update: Big Stat Line for Garcia in Five-Set Win
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 16, 2023) – Some big performances and milestone moments for the U.S. Men overseas over the weekend and this week. ITALY On November 12, Pallavolo Padova (2-2) with opposite Gabi Garcia Fernandez beat Cistern Volleyball 3-2 (25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 15-12). Garcia was named match MVP with 27 points on 24...