Former BYU men’s volleyball standout Gabi Garcia Fernandez is making a big change.

Garcia Fernandez has been approved by the FIVB to transfer to USA Volleyball from Puerto Rico’s national team.

“I thank each of the people who have been by my side during my development and this process,” Garcia Fernández said in a news release by USA Volleyball. “Today, I begin a new stage of my life, but will never forget my roots.”

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.

“We are excited to welcome Gabi Garcia Fernández to the USA Volleyball family,” USAV President and CEO Jamie Davis said. “As a citizen of the United States, a resident of Utah since 2017 and a standout player at BYU, Gabi fully qualifies for the transfer to USA Volleyball in accordance with the FIVB regulations.

“USA Volleyball prioritizes athletes’ rights, so when Gabi reached out to us with his desire for the transfer, I was very supportive given such request was in complete compliance with FIVB rules. We look forward to Gabi joining the team and investing in his sport and personal development for years to come.”

Team USA coach John Speraw added: “”Gabi is a talented young player with a bright future, and we are excited for the opportunity to work together. We will do all we can to help him reach his full potential.

“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.”

Last May, Garcia Fernandez signed a professional contract with A.S. Volley Lube of the Italian League.

He was the 2021 MPSF Player of the Year and 2020 AVCA National Player of the Year.

Garcia Fernandez led the Cougars as NCAA runner-ups in 2021 with 305 kills and 42 service aces and ranks second all-time in career aces at BYU with 181, second only to Sander (182). Garcia Fernandez finished with 1,325 kills, fifth all-time in the rally scoring era.

Cougar baseball drops heartbreaker to Saint Mary’s

BYU baseball found a very painful way to lose in Game 1 of a three-game series at Saint Mary’s

The Cougars lost 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the Gaels first win in West Coast Conference play (1-6).

Leading 3-1, BYU closer Jared McLaughlin gave up a double to Christian Almanza and a home run to Chris Santiage to tie the game. Gavin Napier followed with a double to put the winning run in scoring position. With two outs, Napier advanced to third on a wild pitch by Cooper McKeehan, then came home on another wild pitch for the game winner.

Mitch McIntyre, Jacob Wilk and Austin Deming each had two hits in the game and Wilk had a solo home run in the sixth. Freshman catcher Collin Reuter drove in a pair of runs with a double in the sixth for a 3-1 BYU lead.

Justin Sterner started and went seven innings for the Cougars, allowing four hits, one earned run and striking out 10.

Game 2 between BYU (13-10 overall, 2-5 WCC) and Saint Mary’s (16-10, 1-6) will be Friday at 2 p.m. MT.

Softball splits double header with New Mexico

BYU came back from a disappointing performance in Game 1 against the Lobos to win Game 2 by the 10-run rule.

Andrea Howard of New Mexico was a force in Game 1, going 3-for-3 with five RBI and two home runs in an 8-3 victory.

The Cougars found their offense in Game 2, getting a big home run from catcher Macy Simmons in a 12-1 win.

BYU (23-8) and New Mexico (21-13) will play the rubber game in the series on Friday at 1 p.m.

Track puts up two Top 10 marks at UVU Invitational

BYU track and field athletes began the UVU Invitational in a cross-town meet at the Hal Wing Track & Field on Thursday.

Women’s Recap: The Cougars began the day with two top-10 marks, one in the javelin and another in the 100m hurdles.

Nicole Freestone won the javelin throw with a personal best park of 48.92m/160-6, good for sixth all-time at BYU. Alex McAllister finished second in the event with a 48.17m/158-0.5.

With a first-place and personal best time of 13.39, Adaobi Tabugbo moved from No. 8 into a tie for fifth in school history in the 100m hurdles.

Tabugbo also clocked a 12.28 for a new personal best in the 100m prelims, advancing to Friday’s finals along with Taye Raymond (1st, 12.13), Dolita Awala-Shaw (5th, 12.49) and Emma Johnson (6th, 12.54).

Lauren Merrill was the lone Cougar competing in the pole vault. She finished fourth overall with a mark of 3.35m/11-0.

Men’s Recap: BYU men’s track and field qualified seven sprinters in preliminary action on Thursday. Four Cougars finished top-10 in the 200m heats. Spencer Carlile and Zac Marsden took third and fourth, respectively, each with times of 21.85. Asante Laryea-Akrong and Cortez Ruiz will join Carlile and Marsden in the 200m final Friday.

Marsden (11.27) and Laryea-Akrong (11.35) took fifth and seventh, respectively, in the 100m heats and will both compete in Friday’s final. AJ Beynon clocked 15.23 in the 110m hurdle preliminary and also advanced to a Friday final.

BYU will conclude the UVU Invitational on Friday, April 1, beginning with the men’s and women’s high jump at 10 a.m. MDT. The Cougars’ distance runners will also kick off action at the Stanford Invitational on Friday, starting with the men’s 5000m at 11:30 a.m. PDT and women’s 3000m steeplechase at 5:21 p.m. PDT.

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