Winner of The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week (Sept. 29 to Oct. 4)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between Sept. 29-Oct. 4. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Lillian Banks, White River soccer
The freshman forward scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over Decatur, adding a three-goal hat trick effort in a 5-1 win over Auburn Mountainview.
The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted.
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 middle blocker posted 11 kills, 11 digs, three aces, and five blocks in Wednesday’s three-set sweep over Bellarmine Prep.
Lillian Banks, White River soccer — Freshman forward scored the game-winning goal in 3-2 win over Decatur. Also had a three-goal hat trick effort in 5-1 win over Auburn Mountainview.
Alyssa Cromwell, Kentwood soccer — Junior forward had two goals and two assists in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over Auburn.
Sophie Boatright, Tumwater soccer — Senior midfielder notched a hat trick (three goals) with two assists in Thursday’s 5-1 win over Shelton, adding a goal in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over W.F. West.
Addy Conner, North Thurston volleyball — In three-set sweeps over Gig Harbor and Central Kitsap, the senior outside hitter tallied a combined 32 kills, 11 digs, two aces, and two blocks that kept the Rams undefeated (14-0).
Payton Elmore, South Kitsap volleyball — Junior libero posted back-to-back performances with 24 digs in 3-1 wins over Bethel and Spanaway Lake.
Ashley Gallagher, Steilacoom soccer — Sophomore striker notched a hat trick (three goals) in Tuesday’s 9-1 win over Franklin Pierce, then scored two goals with an assist in Thursday’s 8-0 win over Eatonville.
Sadie Gesacion, Steilacoom soccer — Senior midfielder had two goals and an assist in Thursday’s 8-0 win over Eatonville.
Mallory Hales, Steilacoom soccer — Junior winger had four assists in 9-1 win over Franklin Pierce and a goal and assist in 8-0 win over Eatonville.
Ellie Johnson, Olympia volleyball — Senior libero had 11 kills, five digs, and three aces in Tuesday’s sweep over Yelm, then had eight kills and 10 digs in three-set sweep over Bethel on Wednesday.
Bryn Kastberg, Sumner volleyball — Freshman outside hitter tallied 19 kills, 10 digs, and an ace in Thursday’s 3-1 win over Rogers.
Sydney Kosa, Olympia cross country — Bears senior took fourth at Saturday’s John Payne XC Invite at Chambers Creek Regional Park, completing the 5K in 18:20.1.
Charlie Leipheimer, Tahoma volleyball — Senior outside hitter posted 13 kills and 12 digs in Monday’s 3-0 sweep of Auburn, then had 11 kills and nine digs in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Kentridge.
Jovie Lind, Timberline volleyball — Blazers junior had 20 digs and two kills in Thursday’s 3-1 loss to Prairie.
Abby Losey, North Thurston volleyball — Junior outside hitter had 12 kills and 10 digs in Monday’s 3-0 win over Gig Harbor, adding 10 kills, four digs, and three blocks in Wednesday’s three-set sweep over Central Kitsap.
Destiny Mars, Timberline volleyball — Blazers senior had 19 kills, one block, and an ace in Monday’s 3-0 win over Silas.
Lauren Parry, Steilacoom soccer — Junior midfielder posted two goals and two assists in Thursday’s 8-0 win over Eatonville, adding one goal and one assist in Tuesday’s 9-1 win over Franklin Pierce.
Alivia Pena Arteaga, Franklin Pierce soccer — Sophomore striker had two goals in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Washington, adding another goal in Tuesday’s 9-1 loss to Steilacoom.
Kinley Smith, Timberline volleyball — Junior outside hitter had a season-high 25 kills with 15 digs and three aces in Thursday’s 3-1 loss to Prairie. In a pair of three-set wins over Silas and Mount Tahoma, Smith added 25 combined kills and 12 digs.
Sage Sturrock, Gig Harbor soccer — Senior midfielder posted two goals and two assists in Thursday’s 13-0 win over Mount Tahoma.
Diya Thomas, Kentwood soccer — Senior forward scored two goals with an assist in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over Auburn.
Hannah Van Dusen, Steilacoom soccer — Freshman striker had two goals in Tuesday’s 9-1 win over Franklin Pierce.
Jenica Walling, Cascade Christian volleyball — The state’s leader in kills (242) delivered a season-high 25 kills with 23 digs, two aces, and a block in Friday’s five-set win over King’s. In Wednesday’s 3-0 sweep over Bellevue Christian, Walling added 21 kills and six digs.
Latham West, Bonney Lake cross country — Panthers senior finished second at Saturday’s John Payne XC Invite at Chambers Creek Regional Park, completing the 5K in 17:45.1.
Addison Wilson, Olympia volleyball — In wins over Yelm and Bethel, the senior middle hitter tallied a combined 24 kills and five blocks.
Maggie Yearout, South Kitsap volleyball — Junior outside hitter had 17 kills, 10 digs, and two blocks in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Bethel, adding 14 kills and six digs in Thursday’s 3-1 win over Spanaway Lake.
This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 1:25 PM.
