Winner of The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week (Sept. 15 to 20)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between Sept. 15-20. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Olivia Puttler, Emerald Ridge volleyball
The junior setter delivered a standout performance in five-set win over Skyline, tallying six aces, serving at 91 percent with a .409 hitting percentage. Added 34 assists, two blocks and 12 digs.
The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
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Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.
Marley Alefaio, Lakes volleyball — Senior outside hitter had nine kills, three aces, five blocks, and seven digs in 3-0 win over Peninsula, then tallied 18 kills, three aces, four blocks, and 11 digs in 3-1 loss to North Thurston.
Kate Cardinal, Peninsula volleyball — Senior libero had five aces and 23 digs in five-set win over Capital on Thursday.
Addy Conner, North Thurston volleyball — Senior outside hitter tallied 22 kills and two digs in Tuesday’s 3-0 sweep of River Ridge, then had 27 kills and five digs in Friday’s 3-1 win over Lakes. Conner’s 157 kills this season lead the state.
Harper Curnutt, Auburn Riverside soccer — Senior midfielder tallied two goals and an assist in Tuesday’s 7-0 shutout over rival Auburn.
Charlotte Fleetwood, Lincoln volleyball — Senior outside hitter had 23 kills, 18 digs, four blocks, and an ace in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Bellarmine Prep, then had 11 kills, 13 digs, and three blocks in 3-1 loss to Central Kitsap.
Ashley Gallagher, Steilacoom soccer — Sophomore midfielder had two goals and two assists in Tuesday’s 8-2 win over Orting, then scored twice in Saturday’s 3-1 win vs. Tumwater.
Mallory Hales, Steilacoom soccer — Junior midfielder tallied one goal and two assists in Tuesday’s 8-2 win over Orting.
Karin Heikkila, Gig Harbor soccer — Tides forward notched a hat trick (three goals) with an assist in Thursday’s 6-1 win over crosstown rival Peninsula, adding a goal and two assists in Tuesday’s 6-1 win at Lakes.
Kalani Ioane, Graham-Kapowsin volleyball — Sophomore outside hitter stacked 19 kills, three digs, two aces, and two blocks in Monday’s 3-1 win over Auburn Riverside.
Jordyn Kaelin, White River volleyball — Junior outside hitter tallied 10 kills and seven digs in 3-0 sweep vs. Decatur.
Bryn Kastberg, Sumner volleyball — Freshman outside hitter had 12 kills, two aces, and two digs in Monday’s 3-0 sweep of Mount Tahoma.
Sutton Kelsey, Enumclaw soccer — Senior forward scored two goals with an assist in Friday’s 7-0 shutout of Todd Beamer.
Charlie Leipheimer, Tahoma volleyball — Senior outside hitter had 14 kills and nine digs in Monday’s 3-1 loss to Skyline.
Violet Lester, Gig Harbor soccer — Freshman forward had two goals in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over Lakes and scored again in Thursday’s 6-1 win over Peninsula.
Abby Losey, North Thurston volleyball — In wins over River Ridge (3-0) and Lakes (3-1), the junior outside hitter totaled 24 kills, 13 digs, and one block.
Destiny Mars, Timberline volleyball — Senior tallied seven kills, five digs, and two aces in 3-0 win over Capital, then had eight kills and four digs in 3-0 win over River Ridge.
Olivia Puttler, Emerald Ridge volleyball — Junior setter delivered a standout performance in five-set win over Skyline, tallying six aces, serving at 91 percent with a .409 hitting percentage. Added 34 assists, two blocks and 12 digs.
Nevaeh Rodriguez, North Thurston soccer — Junior striker notched a hat trick (three goals) in Thursday’s 9-0 win over Mount Tahoma.
Nadia Schwab, Gig Harbor soccer — Sophomore forward scored twice in Thursday’s 6-1 win over rival Peninsula.
Kinley Smith, Timberline volleyball — Junior outside hitter had 16 kills, six digs, and six aces in Thursday’s 3-0 sweep of Capital, then tallied 15 kills, eight digs, and six aces in Thursday’s 3-0 win over River Ridge.
Sage Sturrock, Gig Harbor soccer — Senior midfielder had one goal and one assist in Tuesday’s 6-1 win at Lakes, adding two assists in Thursday’s 6-1 win over Peninsula.
Kayla Tarver, Franklin Pierce soccer — Senior midfielder netted all three Cardinals goals for a hat trick in Tuesday’s 3-0 shutout of Clover Park.
Hannah Van Dusen, Steilacoom soccer — Freshman striker tallied two goals and two assists in Tuesday’s 8-2 win over Orting, adding an assist in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Tumwater.
Jenica Walling, Cascade Christian volleyball — Senior outside hitter had 18 kills, 12 digs, and an ace in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Seattle Christian, ranking second in WA with 155 total kills.
This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 1:43 PM.
