Gabi, VakifBank and the lesson of overcoming fear for Vietnam women's volleyball

By a pristine pool, Bruno Rezende and Gabi Guimaraes did not open with tactics. They opened with fears. The fear of leaving home, the fear of not being good enough, and the fear of standing in front of a world too wide. In a conversation published by Volleyball World, Gabi explained that she had long planned to play abroad, but knowing whether she was ready was not easy. After Rio 2026, still earning her place with Brazil's national team, she understood that she needed to be mentally ready, not only as a player but also as a person. She had to leave her comfort zone and make sacrifices to take the next step in her career. Gabi said: “I had a plan of playing overseas, but it wasn't easy to figure out if I was ready for it or not. I had experienced some injuries and had questions if I had what it took to play in the world's best leagues.” In 2026, she signed with VakifBank, one of the strongest clubs on the planet. The environment was demanding. Coach Giovanni Guidetti told her from the start that he wanted to prepare her to become team captain. Gabi was shocked because she had never seen herself in that position. She also recalled the influence of Brazil's youth national team and the 2026 Olympic generation. Wearing the national team jersey was a childhood dream, and standing in Saquarema alongside that generation sent a strong signal that she should continue. For Vietnam women's volleyball, Gabi's story is a reminder that going abroad is not a slogan. The gap with the world's elite is often not about technique but about facing high-level matches, harsh training environments, and loneliness. The best lesson is not simply leaving Brazil, but being mature enough to turn fear into motivation. Those who dare to step out of their comfort zone will shape the next generation. When that happens, Vietnam volleyball will never be the same.