Garcia Fernandez signs professional contract with Italian club A.S. Volley Lube

CIVITANOVA MARCHE, Italy — Italian professional team Associazione Sportiva Volley Lube has announced the signing of former BYU opposite hitter Gabi Garcia Fernandez.

“I’d like to thank the coaches and administration from Lube Civitanova for trusting my abilities to compete and train with them,” Garcia Fernandez said. “I’m excited to join the team and grow as a person and as a player.”  

The San Juan, Puero Rico native will take his talents to Treia, Italy to compete in the Italian Volleyball League's Superleagua. The Italian Superleagua has a history of pulling some of the best talent from around the world and is very competitive. Former Cougar and current Team USA member, Taylor Sander, competed with Lube in the 2017-2018 season. 

Lube Civitanova is the most recent Italian Cup Champion, taking home its sixth Italian Cup on April 24. The club won the 2019 FIVB World Championships and the 2019 CEV Champions League. 

“We are always looking for new talents," said Lube’s general manager Beppe Corimo. "This time we are focusing on the best player in the American university tournament. I'm sure he'll give us a big hand over the course of the season.”

Garcia Fernandez was named the NCAA National Player of the Year in 2020, MPSF Player of the year in 2020 and 2021 and was a four-time All-American in his time at BYU. He currently holds BYU's single-season ace record at 56 and is second all-time in career aces. Garcia Fernandez led the Cougars to the 2021 NCAA National Championship where the team finished as national runner-up.