PARIS – Three legends of Penn State Men’s Volleyball earned bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics after Team USA swept Italy 25-23, 30-28, 26-24 on Friday. Matt Anderson ’08, Max Holt ’09 and Aaron Russell ’15 all picked up their second career medals, adding to the bronze they helped USA win at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Russell led USA in points in the win over Italy, finishing with 15 on 11 kills, three blocks and one ace. Holt racked up six kills, four blocks and one ace, while Anderson contributed eight kills. All three players were mainstays in the starting lineup throughout the Olympics.
“Aaron showed up tonight and played incredibly well when we needed him to,” Anderson said. “Max, he’s a stud. There’s a reason he’s been one of the best middle blockers in the world his entire career.”
The Penn State alumni played a huge role in helping USA grab the early momentum with a 25-23 win in the opening set. Italy led 17-15 before the three Nittany Lions combined for seven of the final 10 USA points. Anderson had three kills during that stretch, while Russell and Holt chipped in with a kill and a block apiece.
The second set went extra points before USA pulled out the 30-28 win. Holt denied Italy’s only chance at set point with a kill that tied the score at 25-all. Anderson gave USA a 27-26 lead with a kill, while Russell made it 29-28 with a kill.
The final set was again close throughout and it was USA again that came out on top 26-24 to secure the bronze medal. Four of USA’s final seven points came from the Penn State trio. Russell had a block to put USA up 20-19 and a Holt kill tied it at 21-all. Anderson came up huge twice, delivering a kill to knot the score at 22-22 and another to put USA up 24-23. Anderson was at the service line when TJ DeFalco clinched the match with a kill.
Russell led USA in points over the team’s six matches. He averaged 13.00 kills, 1.17 blocks and 0.83 aces per match. Anderson and Holt weren’t far behind. Anderson, who played in his fourth consecutive Olympics, averaged 13.33 kills, 0.83 blocks and 0.67 aces. Holt averaged 7.33 kills, 1.83 blocks and 1.33 aces.
All three of the Olympians from Penn State played for current head coach Mark Pavlik. Anderson and Holt led the Nittany Lions to the 2008 NCAA title.
“We have Penn State in common. It’s something that’s in our blood,” Anderson said. “We are part of that family and we love it.”