Brad Gunter had a breakout season in men’s volleyball in 2013-14.  The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack outside hitter played for the National Junior team, was named both the Canada West and CIS player of the year. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="323"] Brad Gunter with his CIS Player of the Year award (David Moll photo)[/caption] Now, the native of Courtenay, BC has won another prestigious award. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Gunter in action last season vs Guelph (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Gunter is the 2014 recipient of the Ray Lepp Memorial Scholarship. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Gunter hammers it home vs Brandon (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Volleyball BC Executive Director Chris Densmore said  Gunter’s application was selected from a pool of highly qualified candidates.  ‘Your selection demonstrates the strength of your application, especially your commitment to performance and excellence and potential to join the Canadian National Team.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="383"] Gunter in his Junior National Team shirt (photo submitted)[/caption] “This is a great honor,” said Gunter, who has since tried out for and made Canada’s Senior “B” men’s team.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Gunter in match action from last year (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Gunter will receive $2000 which he will put towards his education. He is entering his second year of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree program at Thompson Rivers. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly along with recently graduated Colin Carson (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] “This has been a great year for Brad,” said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly. “He is deserving of all these accomplishments. Brad has put the time and effort on the court and in the weight room.” Hennelly adds: “This is an award that many great players in the past have won in BC.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Gunter speaks to teammate Spencer Reed during match last year (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] “It  means a lot to me that Volleyball BC has recognized me as an outstanding athlete,” Gunter explains. “A lot of my training came from Volleyball BC and the provincial teams over the years. They have helped me get to where I am today.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Gunter preparing to serve (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Gunter states that winning this award will also put him into a position where he will be more of a leader on and off the court with the WolfPack in the coming years. “ I will definitely have to take on a larger leadership role, especially with Colin (Carson, setter, Prince George, BC) graduating.  With my experience with the national team, I believe I can lead with intensity and high end play.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="330"] Former WolfPack now Cdn National Team player Gord Perrin (Volleyball Canada)[/caption] Gunter becomes the fourth player with ties to TRU to win this award following in the footsteps of Gord Perrin (Creston, BC) 2008),  Kyle Donen (White Rock,BC) 2007) and current WolfPack women’s head coach and former men’s assistant coach Chad Grimm (Quesnel, BC) 1998).   Grimm won the award while being a player with the UBC Thunderbirds. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] WolfPack women's volleyball head coach Chad Grimm (foreground) (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Donen is now the head coach of the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s volleyball program (PACWEST).