The BYU men’s volleyball program often uses its strong connections overseas, its tradition of success and its far-reaching alumni network to attract some of the best international players it can get. But in the case of their latest foreign-born sensation, the Cougars got an assist from their own football program to land Davide (pronounced: DAH-Vee-DAY) Gardini, a 6-foot-9 outside hitter from Italy.

Gardini’s father, Andrea Gardini, was a well-known international volleyball star a few decades ago. He led Italy to three FIVB world championships and was a member of three Olympic teams. Andrea Gardini and some other members of the Italian national team’s coaching staff happened to be visiting BYU back in November of 2009 when they got tickets to the BYU-Utah rivalry football game.