Winner of The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week (Sept. 22 to 27)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between Sept. 22-27. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Sydney Winters, Auburn Riverside soccer
The sophomore keeper tallied 18 saves in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Kentridge, then posted a shutout (14 saves) in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Kentwood. Winters leads the state in total saves this fall.
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.
Ellie Adams, Peninsula volleyball — Junior outside hitter had 14 kills with a .310 hitting percentage and nine digs in three-set win over River Ridge on Tuesday.
Braelyn Carey, Lakes soccer — Senior midfielder notched a hat trick (three goals) in Thursday’s 3-1 win over Capital.
Lejla Carlsson, Gig Harbor cross country — Took third place at the Bellevue Cross Country Invitational on Saturday with a time of 17 minutes, 50.5 seconds.
Addy Conner, North Thurston volleyball — Senior outside hitter tallied 22 kills, eight digs, and a block in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Timberline.
Peyton Frederick, Emerald Ridge volleyball — Junior outside hitter had 20 kills and two blocks in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Puyallup.
Ashley Gallagher, Steilacoom soccer — Sophomore striker had one goal and two assists in Tuesday’s 6-0 win over Washington, adding an assist in Friday’s 3-2 loss to Fife.
Karin Heikkila, Gig Harbor soccer — Senior forward tallied one goal and two assists in Thursday’s 3-2 win over Silas.
Jordyn Kaelin, White River volleyball — In straight-set wins over Enumclaw and Todd Beamer, the junior outside hitter totaled 23 kills, 17 digs, and two aces.
Sutton Kelsey, Enumclaw soccer — Senior forward scored seven goals and had two assists in three wins on the week: four goals in 4-3 win over White River, two goals and an assist in 7-0 win over Thomas Jefferson and a goal and assist in 8-0 win over Kent-Meridian.
Charlie Leipheimer, Tahoma volleyball — In wins over Kentwood (3-1) and Mount Rainier (3-0), the senior outside hitter tallied a combined 33 kills and 20 digs.
Abby Losey, North Thurston volleyball — Junior outside hitter had 16 kills, nine digs, two blocks, and an ace in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Timberline.
Destiny Mars, Timberline volleyball — Senior outside hitter had 21 kills and five digs in 3-1 loss to North Thurston, then had 10 kills and three digs in 3-0 win over Central Kitsap.
Genesis Miller, Kentridge volleyball — Senior outside hitter led team to wins over Auburn and Stadium, hitting .303 with 38 kills and two blocks with 22 digs.
Michele Pringle, River Ridge soccer — Senior striker scored four goals in Tuesday’s 5-0 win over Lakes.
Stella Sheeran, Olympia volleyball — Sophomore libero had 17 digs and two aces in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over South Kitsap.
Kinley Smith, Timberline volleyball — Junior outside hitter had 19 kills, 13 digs, three aces, and a block in 3-1 loss to North Thurston, then tallied 18 kills, eight digs, two aces, and a block in 3-0 win over Central Kitsap.
Jenica Walling, Cascade Christian volleyball — Senior outside hitter had 15 kills, nine digs, and two aces in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Annie Wright.
Charlotte White, Curtis cross country — Took 37th place at the Nike Portland XC race in Portland, Ore. on Friday with a time of 18 minutes, 31.2 seconds.
Elizabeth Wiggs, Tahoma soccer — Senior forward scored in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Stadium, then notched a hat trick (three goals) in Thursday’s 7-1 win over Mount Rainier.
Addison Wilson, Olympia volleyball — In straight-set wins over Rogers and South Kitsap, the senior middle hitter posted a combined 25 kills and two digs.
Sydney Winters, Auburn Riverside soccer — Sophomore keeper tallied 18 saves in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Kentridge, then posted a shutout (14 saves) in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Kentwood. Winters leads the state in total saves this fall.
This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 1:17 PM.
