Six years ago, a young Gabriel Fa’ali’i witnessed his older sister fulfill a lifelong dream when she signed a letter of intent to continue playing volleyball at a four-year university.
Roles were reversed last week when 2020 Lathrop High graduate Jahsita Fa’ali’i returned to her alma mater to watch with pride as Gabriel locked in his commitment with Simpson University.
The younger Fa’ali’i leaves as Lathrop’s most accomplished boys volleyball player. It helps when he can get pointers from the school’s best female player who grew up under the same roof. Jahsita spearheaded many of the girls team’s milestone moments, and she went on to enjoy a productive four-plus years at Montana State University Billings.
“Huge inspiration,” Gabriel said. “My sister is the reason why I’ve been doing this. When I saw her playing at a very young age, it just inspired to do the same exact thing. Everything I do, I always ask her for advice on little things. Even (when she was) in college, I’d text her on some stuff.”
Third-year Simpson coach Steven Brasher was also in attendance at the May 20 signing event held at Lathrop’s career center, which was packed with Fa’ali’i’s biggest supporters, including present and former teammates and, of course, his family that is so heavily involved with the Spartans boys and girls teams. Parents Toa and Arlene coach both programs. Gabriel got to play with brother Persius (class of 2025) for a couple seasons, and their younger sister Cassidy is entering her junior year after playing in the lower levels in the past two.
The NCAA Division II Red Hawks are coming off the best season in their seven-year history, going 18-12 overall and 8-3 in California Pacific Conference play.
“It was a pretty easy process,” Fa’ali’i said of his recruitment to Simpson, where he will study marketing. “I went to visit them and really liked their campus. It’s very small, and I like it a little more quiet. So, there was no debate — it was going to be Simpson. I practiced with them, and they’re all very uplifting. I also know some other kids who are committing (to Simpson), so it’s good that I’ll be seeing some familiar faces there.”
Simpson will be getting one of the top all-around outside-hitter hitters in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
The 6-foot-2 Fa’ali’i has been named to the SJS Boys Volleyball Forum All-Section First Team for a third straight year. He’s also a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and one-time All-WAC MVP.
With key players missing the entire season to ineligibility, the Spartans leaned on their four-year starter to carry the attacking load and lead them to a 26-7 record and a SJS Division III semifinal-round appearance.
Fa’ali’i had career-high production that ranks him among the best in the state and nation. His 495 kills (5.3 per set) are fifth most in the SJS, 11th in the state and 18th nationally, according to stats reported to MaxPreps. He was also prolific from the service line with 82 aces, which puts him at No. 4 on the section list, 7 in the state and 17 in the country. Fa’ali’i was his team leader in digs with 155.
For his career, Fa’ali’i finished with 1,734 kills, 254 aces and 637 digs.
After spending as much time as he has at Lathrop’s Greg Leland Gym, Fa’ali’i was understandably emotional as he struggled to get through his speech for signing.
“It was overwhelming,” he said. “I was really hoping I wouldn’t cry. I think I heard my dad start to crack a little, so that got to me. I’m just really happy. I wouldn’t be able to do this without my teammates and all my coaches. All the practice hours and time spent outside of volleyball, it really means a lot.”
