REDS Adding Brazilian Hitter
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS men’s volleyball team is adding 6’6” outside hitter Gabriel Spinelli, from Juiz de Fora, Brazil, to their recruiting class of 2025.
“Gabriel comes to us after having a successful rookie season in the CCAA and we’re very excited to welcome him to the REDS,” said head coach Dan McMorran.
The 21-year-old has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2025-2026 RSEQ season.
“The team culture that the coach and athletes seem to have, the structure the program has within the university, and the respect that the REDS have on the national scene is what really stood out for me,” said Spinelli.
Growing up in southeastern Brazil, Spinelli played for numerous club teams.
In 2018, he helped U16 Tijuca win the Taca Parana, a major regional championship, and in 2019, he was asked to join Brazil’s U17 national team and the country’s U19 beach team.
In 2020 and 2021, Spinelli was added to the roster for Brazil’s U18 team.
He spent the 2024-2025 season at Camosun College, in Victoria, BC.
With the Chargers, of the Pacific West Athletic Association, he averaged 2.56 kills per set and earned PacWest All-Rookie Team honours. Spinelli was named Camosun’s male rookie of the year.
“I will bring my experience in both the tactical and technical aspects of the game,” said Spinelli. “I hope to maintain the Brazilian spirit that has been so successful in the REDS with the hopes of winning a national championship. I believe that my interpersonal and leadership skills can bring out the best performance from each of my teammates.”
Spinelli will become the latest in a series of Brazilians to attend UNB and play for the REDS.
Graduating hitter Eduardo Luchese was a three-time RSEQ all-star and two-time All-Canadian, and hitter Rafael Hilario, who graduated a year ago, was a two-time conference all-star.
“He is physical, plays with a lot of passion, and has a great all-round game, and when you factor in the experience and leadership he also possesses, he’ll be an excellent addition to our program,” said Coach McMorran.
Spinelli says his short-term goal will be to help the REDS qualify for the national championship tournament by being the best he can be. Long-term, he says he’d like to bring a U SPORTS title to UNB.
Spinelli will study Kinesiology while attending UNB.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTO: Submitted