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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.Air Max Italia . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Air Max 720 In Offerta . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. http://www.airmaxitaliascarpe.it/ . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Scarpe Air Max 96 Scontate .ca NHL Power Rankings for the second straight week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. Scarpe Air Max Flair Scontate .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week.John Baick (10:30 a.m. ET), history professor at Western New England University; ESPNs Tim Kurkjian (11:00) and ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter (12 p.m.) join Stugotz and Israel Gutierrez.Text us at 67974 (msg&data rates may apply) or tweet us at @LeBattardShow and @Stugotz790 -- well be with you from 10 a.dddddddddddd. to 1 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio, ESPNRadio.com and ESPNU. ' ' '