Gabby Reece Jersey Retirement
As part of Sunday’s Alumni Weekend celebrations, Florida State and pro beach volleyball star Gabrielle “Gabby” Reece had her No. 6 jersey retired ahead of the Seminoles’ ACC match with North Carolina.
Reece is just the 26th overall Seminole athlete to have his/her number retired and first ever volleyball player.
Reece, who donned No. 6 from 1987-90, was a two-time Metro All-Conference selection (1989, 1990) and AVCA All-Region honoree in 1989. She boasts the FSU program records for solo blocks (24) and total blocks (747) and ranks second all-time in blocks per set (1.93) and third in block assists (507). Reece was inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame in 1997.
All told, she racked up 1,179 kills (3.04 per set), while hitting at a .270 clip. She boasts the season record for solo blocks (69 in 1989) and also ranks third in season blocks (212 in 1989) and blocks per set (1.66 in 1989).
Reece led the Seminoles in hitting percentage in 1989 (.279), in blocks per set in 1988 (1.28) and 1990 (1.50) and was tops on the team in total blocks in 1998, 1989 and 1990. She also led the way in solo blocks from 1988 to 1990 (60, 69 and 68) and block assists in 1989 and 1990 (143, 121).
Reece was the recipient of the Dodge National Athletic Award for Most Inspiring College Athlete in 1989 and recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the Wonder Women of Sport that same year.
The La Jolla, California native went on to play professionally in the Women’s Beach Volleyball League and on the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.
Reece met with the Florida State indoor and beach teams ahead of Sunday’s jersey retirement ceremony.