Walker Sodaro and Macyn Unger named recipients of 2024 Ray Lepp Scholarship
Volleyball BC is excited to announce Walker Sodaro and Macyn Unger as the recipients of the 2024 Ray Lepp Scholarship!
The $2,000 scholarships are awarded each year to a post-secondary male and female athlete who meet the scholarship criteria and show promise of competing for Canada at the national team level.
Selected from a group of very strong applicants, these athletes have shown a tremendous amount of dedication and commitment to the sport of volleyball and have received numerous accolades for their accomplishments.
Read more about each recipient below:
WALKER SODARO
Walker’s volleyball accomplishments are outstanding, demonstrating his talent and leadership. In 2021 and 2022, he led the Kelowna Secondary Owls to back-to-back Provincial titles, earning MVP honors both years. At 17, Walker was the starting setter for the Jr Heat Volleyball Club’s 18U team, leading them to a national silver medal and earning a spot on the all-star team.
He continued his success with Volleyball BC’s Provincial Team, captaining Team BC to a bronze medal at the Canada Cup, where he was again recognized as an all-star. Walker also excelled in beach volleyball, winning the 2023 18U Beach Provincial Championships and finishing as a finalist in the University Beach Championships.
After high school, Walker was named an alternate for Canada’s 21U team and now plays as the setter for the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack. Beyond his playing career, he helps coach young players at the Barn Owls Volleyball Club, passing on his knowledge to inspire future athletes.
Some of Walker’s personal achievements are:
- Gold medal at 2021 AAA high school championships
- Gold medal at 2022 AAA high school championships
- MVP at 2021 championships
- MVP at 2022 championships
- Kelowna Male Athlete of the Year
- Silver medal at 2022 National Championship
- All Star at 2022 Nationals
- Gold medal at 2023 Beach Championships
- Team BC – bronze medal
MACYN UNGER
Macyn, a proud native of Prince George, BC, has been making waves in the volleyball world since beginning her journey at just seven years old. A product of the Prince George Youth Volleyball Club (PGYVC), Macyn has shown exceptional talent and dedication throughout her career.
During her time at Duchess Park Secondary School, Macyn played a pivotal role in leading her team to compete at the provincial level consistently. Her skills and commitment earned her a spot on Team BC for four consecutive years, culminating in a bronze medal at the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara Falls.
Currently in her third year at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Macyn plays as a libero for the Women’s Volleyball Team. In just two seasons, she has amassed an impressive 806 digs, averaging 4.5 digs per set, showcasing her defensive prowess and reliability on the court.
Macyn has also attended the past two NextGen tryouts in Richmond and was the youngest libero identified for the camp. Her performance caught the attention of selectors, who specifically encouraged her to try out again the following year, recognizing her long-term potential as a libero.
This past summer, Macyn took her talents to the international arena, competing in the Shanghai Volleyball Tournament with a Canadian team. The tournament provided her with the opportunity to face off against some of the world’s top teams, further honing her skills and experience.
Macyn remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes in Prince George and beyond, demonstrating that dedication and hard work can lead to remarkable achievements on both national and international stages.
Some of Macyn’s personal achievements are:
- SFU GNAC Honourable Mention 2024
- Preseason All Tournament Team 2024
- 3rd place at the 2024 Canada Summer Games
- Varsity Letters 3rd ranked – Top 15 High School Players 2021
- Team BC 2019-2022
- Zone 8 BC Summer Games Gold Medalist
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