KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Junior libero Gaby Fernandez of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) earned PrestoSports NAIA Women’s Volleyball Defender of the Week recognition after leading SMWC to a memorable stretch of matches.
The Arecibo, Puerto Rico native amassed 88 digs in three matches, averaging 7.33 digs per set, while also contributing 13 assists, four service aces, and a stellar .969 reception percentage on 65 reception attempts. Fernandez currently leads the NAIA in digs per set on the season and paced the association in total digs during the week.
Fernandez opened her standout week in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods’ sweep of No. 22 IU Kokomo (Ind.). She recorded 21 digs, three assists, and two service aces while helping the Pomeroys snap the Cougars’ 56-match River States Conference winning streak. Her defensive presence kept the Pomeroys in system throughout the match and played a key role in one of the program’s most significant victories of the season.
She followed that performance with a career-best effort against Kansas Wesleyan. Despite the five-set setback, Fernandez was sensational, compiling a career-high 40 digs, averaging an impressive eight digs per set. She also added seven assists and two service aces.
Fernandez capped the week with another strong defensive showing in a four-set victory over Governors State (Ill.). She tallied 27 digs and three assists while helping Saint Mary-of-the-Woods secure its second win of the week.
Her consistency was remarkable throughout the three-match stretch. Fernandez recorded at least 20 digs in every match, including two performances of 27-plus digs and her career-high 40-dig outing. She also committed just two reception errors on 65 attempts.
Fernandez set the stage for her team last week with 88 digs, seven service aces and a week highlighted by a historic victory over a ranked conference rival.
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small college athletics programs dedicated to character-driven, education-based athletics. Since 1937, the NAIA has balanced high-level competition with holistic student-athlete development through its commitment to The Right Way to Play®. Each year more than 87,000 NAIA student-athletes compete in college athletics, earn over $1.3 billion in financial aid, and pursue opportunities to participate in 30 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA | #TheRightWayToPlay
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