cond year of his contract with French club Toulon, further giving rise to ta

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Matt Andersons older sister realized he really must be struggling in order to call home with news for his family that he needed an extended break from volleyball.Joelle Vanegas remembers it well nearly two years later, and also recalls her reaction once the worries for her brother had eased and she knew he would be fine.Vanegas threw out a little tough love.Youre the best player in the world, Matt. Suck it up, and get back out there and play, she told him.Eventually, he would find his way back, and Anderson will lead the Americans into their Olympic opener Sunday night against Canada.But he first took that much-needed mental break from the grind of his sport, the one that has taken Anderson around the globe and landed him largely isolated in Russia for eight months of the year playing professionally.The star outside hitter hesitates to use the word depression, yet knows he experienced some symptoms. In late 2014, he was in a deep funk and made that daunting decision to step away from volleyball and rediscover a balance in his life.I think I was experiencing some depression-like moments in my life. You get down on yourself when youre trying to be the best and be perfect. When youre like that for a while, you dont get that success, even if its a small simple thing, it can bring you down, Anderson said. I wasnt able to let it go when I left the gym, so it was bringing me down the whole day, not just in the moment. So I had to address it.He lost his father, Michael, in 2010 after a kidney cancer diagnosis and a heart attack. Two years ago this month, cousin Keri Ferraro Reisch was killed in a car crash.Each time, still in shock and grieving, Anderson quickly returned to his volleyball work with little time to be comforted by those closest to him.So, when he called home to West Seneca, New York, that day, his sister understood. She has watched his love for nephew Tristin, who has autism. Anderson has a tattoo with the boys name and a puzzle piece on his inner right forearm to support him.It was that a lot of things had happened to our family, Vanegas said. When my dad passed away, he had to be back in Korea right after the funeral. When my cousin passed away, he had to be back in Russia. He missed births of his nieces and nephews. He felt he was pulled away from all he was.Stepping away even for a couple of months is rare for elite athletes. Yet everyone in Andersons inner circle knew he just needed time, and they were quick to offer support.Those who know him well believe the 29-year-old Anderson is all the better now for having taken that break.I went home, I went back to the place where people know me as me and not the athlete, my family, friends that like hanging out with me not because I bring this aura of celebrity around with me, he said.U.S. coach John Speraw had been on the job about a year and a half when Anderson came to him.Nobody does that, so when a player comes to you and says, `I need this, you know this is not a cursory thought, hes given it a bit of consideration, Speraw said. I knew what place he was in and what he needed, and I was 100 percent supportive -- `Take a breath. How long do you want to breathe? -- For me it was indefinite.Speraw figures many volleyball players face similar situations.The sport has no U.S. professional league, so many American men and women competing in Rio have only recently returned to the U.S. base in Southern California from abroad to prepare for the Olympics.Reid Priddy, beginning his fourth Olympics at age 38, spoke with Anderson throughout the process two years ago. Priddy, who is married and a father of two, was in Italy earlier this year finding his rhythm as he worked back from reconstructive knee surgery.Priddy also has taken time off -- perhaps just not in such a public way as Anderson.This is a hard life. I had this desire personally to be connected to community, to start a family, and when youre buzzing all over the world, its just not a reality, Priddy said.Sometimes you just need to dress yourself in the morning, literally wear clothes that you want to wear. Youre not putting on team clothes, you just need some autonomy, he said.Anderson has flourished, thanks to family, friends and the U.S. team.You always have to try to be better than yourself, not try to be better than anybody else, his sister said. That is how Matt continues to grow.Custom Flyers Jerseys . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday. Wholesale Custom Flyers Shirts . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. http://www.customflyersjersey.com/ .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not. Custom Bernie Parent Jersey .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Cheap Custom Flyers Jersey . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont.Will Genia and Quade Cooper have hit the training paddock at Ballymore, adding fuel to speculation of a return to Queensland Reds.That certainly looks to be the case for Cooper at least, who must be signed to an Australian Super Rugby franchise to be available for the Rugby Championship which kicks off in August.As Cooper hasnt played the required 60 Tests that would make him eligible regardless of current club commitments, he must secure a deal with an Australian franchise before the tournament begins.He recently confirmed he wouldnt be taking up the second year of his contract with French club Toulon, further giving rise to talk of a return to Ballymore or even a rumoured move to Melbourne Rebels.Genia meanwhile, has played 66 Test for the Wallabies. But the veteran scrum-half battled injury in his first season with Paris club Stade Francais whom he joined after last years Rugby World Cup.dddddddddddd.The former Reds teammates took to Instagram on Friday to confirm their return to Brisbane.Wallabies coach Michael Cheika confirmed after the third Test loss to England that Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and Adam Ashley-Cooper had also signalled their intention to return for the Rugby Championship.The veteran backs will certainly strengthen Australias playing stocks for Tests against New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina, though England coach Eddie Jones labelled it nothing more than a short-term fix to Australias depth issues. ' ' '