team usa: gabi garcia fernandez
Gabi Garcia Fernández is a 6-foot-7 opposite hitter from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Garcia Fernández played for BYU from 2018-2021.
As a four year starter and captain of the BYU Men’s Volleyball team, Garcia Fernandez played in over 90 games as a Cougar. In his college career, he recorded 1,326 kills, 292 blocks, and 181 aces. Garcia Fernandez currently holds BYU's single-season ace record with 56 and is second all-time in career aces with 181.
Garcia Fernandez is a four-time AVCA All-American.
In 2020, he was named the NCAA AVCA National Player of the year and MPSF player of the year. During that season, he lead the Cougars to a final season ranking of #1, despite the season being cancelled due to COVID-19.
In 2021, Garcia Fernandez was named MPSF player of the year for the second year in a row. He also lead the team to the NCAA National Championship where the team finished as national runner-up.
After the 2021 season, Garcia Fernandez signed his first professional contract with Italian club A.S. Volley Lube and has been playing for them during the 2021-2022 season.
As of March 2022, Garcia Fernandez made the decision to leave the Puerto Rican National team. The FIVB (The Federation of International Volleyball) approved his transfer from the Puerto Rican National Team to the U.S. Men’s National Team.
“I thank each of the people who have been by my side during my development and this process, Today, I begin a new stage of my life, but will never forget my roots,” Garcia Fernandez said in an Instagram post.
Under FIVB transfer rules, Garcia Fernandez may begin training with the U.S. Men immediately, but is not allowed to compete for the U.S. until March 11, 2024.
The U.S. Men’s National Team is coached by John Speraw, who is also the UCLA Men’s Volleyball head coach, who Garcia Fernandez played against during his time at BYU.
“On a personal note, after knowing Gabi for all these years and competing against him while he was at BYU, I am looking forward to being on the same team. He has the cultural attributes we hope to instill in all our players. He works hard, is a good teammate and is exceptionally professional. Gabi will be a great fit for Team USA,” said Speraw of Garcia Fernandez.