Soderman Joining REDS

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s volleyball team is naming outside hitter Sophy Soderman to their recruiting class of 2024.

The 5’9” Soderman is completing her Grade 12 year at Fredericton’s Leo Hayes High School, where she’s been part of junior varsity and varsity provincial championship winning teams.

Soderman has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2024-2025 Atlantic University Sport season.

“Sophy is a great addition to our group,” said John Richard, REDS interim head coach. “She brings an incredible attitude and potential to a largely young team that performed extremely well this past season.”

The 17-year-old Soderman is currently a member of the Reds Volleyball Club’s U18 Crimson side and was recently named the team’s Coaches Choice Award winner and has been nominated as Volleyball New Brunswick’s female athlete of the year for both beach and indoor.

Previously, she was part of Reds club teams at the U17 and U16 levels, earning a VNB championship in 2022 and winning Division 1, Tier 4 at the national championship tournament.

Her Reds U18 team recently captured the gold medal in the club division at the Nike Boston Volleyball Festival.

“Growing up as a volleyball player in Fredericton, I’ve always looked up to the UNB women’s team,” said Soderman. “That and the fact the team has a pretty young roster with so much potential for success in the upcoming seasons made UNB very appealing.”

Soderman has been part of New Brunswick’s provincial excellence program and VNB’s high performance beach volleyball program since June of 2023, and was a member of the province’s U16 Canada Cup team in 2022.

“I’m a hard worker and a team player who brings athleticism, competitiveness, and focus,” said Soderman. “I really value and prioritize team success over individual success.”

“With a lot of hard work and commitment, we feel Sophy can grow into a solid university student-athlete who will contribute to our program’s success,” said Richard.

Soderman says her short-term goals include making consistent improvements to her game.

“A long-term goal of mine is to be a key player on the team and, hopefully, play a part in winning an AUS championship.”

Soderman will study Science while attending UNB.

STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTO BY: James West/for UNB Athletics