June 29, 2009

Former Penn State men's volleyball player Matt Anderson aided the U.S. Men's National Team to a two-game sweep of China over the weekend. The U.S. men improved to 5-1 overall in 2009 FIVB World League pool play matches.

On June 26, the U.S. men played their first match in the U.S. since the 2008 Olympic games. The men defeated China, 3-0, by set scores of 25-20, 25-19, and 25-21. Anderson started the match at outside hitter and led all scorers with 11 points off of nine kills and two blocks.

The following day in front of a sell out crowd at San Jose State University's Event Center Arena, the U.S. men delivered once again with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-22) triumph over the Chinese. Anderson finished the day with 12 points, tallying 10 kills, one block and one ace.

The U.S. men continue FIVB World League play in Nanjing, China July 4-5 where they will face the Chinese men's team twice more.

Anderson helped Penn State to a 2008 National Championship before by-passing his senior year to play professionally in Seoul, South Korea for the Hyuandi Capital Skywalkers of the Korean Volleyball League. This season, the Skywalkers claimed first in the regular season before losing 3-1 in the championship series.

2009 FIVB World League Schedule and Results
Date: June 13-14
Opponent: Netherlands
Location: Rotterdam
June 13: Netherlands def. USA, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 26-24)
June 14: USA def. Netherlands, 3-2 (25-16, 30-32, 25-17, 20-25, 15-6)

Date: June 19 and 21
Opponent: Italy
June 19: USA def. Italy, 3-1 (25-21, 30-25, 21-25, 25-21)
June 20: USA def. Italy, 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-22, 25-20)
Location: Florence and Catania

Date: June 26-27 (7 p.m. both days)
Opponent: China
June 26: USA def. China, 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-21)
June 27: USA def. China, 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-22)
Location: San Jose State University Event Center Arena in San Jose, Calif.

Date: July 10-11 (7 p.m. both days)
Opponent: Italy
Location: Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Date: July 17-18 (7 p.m. both days)
Opponent: Netherlands
Location: Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan.

Date: July 22-26
Event: Final Round (teams must qualify)
Opponents: TBD
Location: Belgrade, Serbia