Matt Anderson and Maxwell Holt have been playing volleyball together nearly as long as some of their U.S. men's Olympic volleyball teammates have been alive. Their connection, which predates even their time together as Penn State roommates, is more than friendship.
"He's an uncle to my (two) kids," said Anderson, a four-time Olympian, while holding his son, Jamie.
"It's great to have a brother on the team," Holt said.
This familial bond makes the highs together even higher. Notably, the pair led Penn State to win the 2008 National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship over Pepperdine in California. Holt tallied 12 kills on .417 hitting to help claim the program's second NCAA title. Anderson, who led the Nittany Lions in the title match with 29 kills on .451 hitting, was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Co-Player of the Year that season, after which he turned professional to play in Korea.
"One of the greatest memories of our lives," said Holt, a three-time Olympian. "We'll have that forever. You know me and him coming into school together as freshmen, being freshman roommates and seeing it out our junior year like we did in California against a California team."
Their brotherhood also makes the lows even lower, including Team USA's five-set semifinal loss (23-25, 27-25, 25-14, 23-25, 13-15) to Poland on Wednesday.
"Heartbreaking," Holt said.
"Heartbreaking," Anderson added. The loss sent the U.S. to the bronze medal match to face Italy at 10 a.m. Eastern time Friday.
Both men have hinted at Paris being their final Olympics. Both came in wanting to lead Team USA to its first gold medal in men's volleyball since the 2008 Games. It's no coincidence that's when their Olympic journey began.
"I remember watching them win in Beijing when we were in college still," Holt said. "They won gold, and I remember just having that desire."
Anderson and Holt helped lead Penn State to an NCAA title in 2008. (Photo by Victor Decolongon / Getty Images)
Both joined the U.S. men's national team after finishing their college careers, becoming mainstays on the roster over the years.
Anderson has been the U.S. men's leading scorer every season since 2011 and is a six-time USA Volleyball Male Indoor Player of the Year (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019). Holt was named the USA Volleyball Male Indoor Most Improved Player in 2013. He was second among all blockers with 20 blocks at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The two have also played on various professional teams across the world. Anderson has made stops in Korea, Italy, China, Turkey and Russia, while Holt has played in Italy, Russia and China.
Every time the U.S. national team has gotten together the past 15 years, however, there's been no question on one pair's room assignments.
"We've been roommates for most of the trips we've ever been on," Anderson said.
Which, after 20 years of it, Holt said can be "both good and bad."
"Like brothers, sometimes you bicker and fight like family," he said, "but obviously more pros than cons."
The pros have been a lifetime of memories, both on and off the court. This includes earning their NCAA title, winning leagues across Europe and Asia, representing their country at the highest level for more than a decade together, and winning a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. Not to the mention the births of Anderson's two children, who refer to their father's roommate as "Uncle Max."
"20 years," Anderson said, when reflecting on their time together. "It's been a while. Max has been such a great friend over the years."
While the dream of gold ended in gut-wrenching fashion, the two have a chance to add another bronze medal to their careers and, if this is the end, finish their Olympic careers with a big win.
"We still have a chance to end it with a good note by winning a bronze medal," Anderson said.
"We still have an opportunity to get on the podium," Holt added. "So that's what we'll have to do."
Anderson and Holt will look to capture their second Olympic bronze medal together as they face Italy on Friday at the Paris Olympics. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
