Winner of The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week (Oct. 6 to 11)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between Oct. 6-11. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Marley Alefaio, Lakes volleyball
The senior middle blocker posted a season-high 20 kills with 16 digs, three aces, and three blocks in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Silas, then had 15 kills, 13 digs, and a season-high seven blocks in Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Central Kitsap.
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 middle blocker posted a season-high 20 kills with 16 digs, three aces, and three blocks in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Silas, then had 15 kills, 13 digs, and a season-high seven blocks in Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Central Kitsap.
Abby Arneson, Bonney Lake soccer — Sophomore midfielder delivered a corner-kick Olimpico goal in Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to Curtis, then scored two goals in Thursday’s 7-0 win over Yelm.
Lilly Bonnin, North Thurston soccer — Freshman forward notched a hat trick (three goals) in Tuesday’s 5-4 loss to Lakes, then had a goal in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Capital.
Braelyn Carey, Lakes soccer — Lancers senior delivered a hat trick (three goals) in Tuesday’s 5-4 win over North Thurston, then had two goals in Thursday’s 2-0 win over River Ridge.
Teagin Clark, Enumclaw soccer — Sophomore forward scored two goals in Monday’s 7-2 win over Kentlake, adding an assist in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Auburn Mountainview.
Addy Conner, North Thurston soccer — In three-set wins over White River, Lincoln, and Mount Tahoma, the senior outside hitter and state’s leader in kills (303) tallied a combined 65 kills, 26 digs, four aces, and two blocks.
Harper Curnutt, Auburn Riverside soccer — Senior forward scored twice in Thursday’s 4-0 win over city-rival Auburn.
Ashley Gallagher, Steilacoom soccer — Sophomore midfielder scored two goals in Tuesday’s 8-0 win over Clover Park.
Bryn Kastberg, Sumner volleyball — Freshman outside hitter had 15 kills and seven digs in Monday’s 3-1 loss to Puyallup, then had 12 digs, 10 kills, and an ace in Wednesday’s three-set sweep over South Kitsap.
Sutton Kelsey, Enumclaw soccer — Senior forward scored two goals in Monday’s 7-2 win over Kentlake, had two assists in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Decatur, then notched a hat trick (three goals) in Saturday’s 4-0 shutout vs. Auburn Mountainview.
Charlie Leipheimer, Tahoma volleyball — Senior outside hitter tallied 13 kills, 13 digs, and an ace in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to Kennedy Catholic, then had 13 kills and 12 digs in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Stadium.
Abby Losey, North Thurston volleyball — In three-set sweeps over White River, Lincoln, and Mount Tahoma, the junior outside hitter had a combined 19 kills, 18 digs, two blocks, and one ace.
Bristal Markus, Enumclaw soccer — Sophomore defender scored a goal in three wins over Kentlake (7-2), Decatur (3-1), and Auburn Mountainview (4-0). Markus added an assist vs. Decatur.
Destiny Mars, Timberline volleyball — Senior outside hitter had a season-high six aces with seven kills and four digs in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Gig Harbor, then added 12 kills, two digs, and an ace in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Bellarmine Prep.
Kyler Menza, Washington soccer — Senior midfielder scored in all three games last week: One goal and one assist in 4-2 win over Evergreen Lutheran, one goal in 5-1 loss to Orting, and two goals in 6-0 win over Lincoln.
Selana Morales, Curtis volleyball — Vikings senior tallied 16 kills in Monday’s 3-1 win over Bonney Lake, adding 16 kills in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Graham-Kapowsin.
Mia Nelson, Curtis volleyball — Vikings junior had 15 kills in Monday’s 3-1 win over Bonney Lake and 16 kills in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Graham-Kapowsin.
Lauren Parry, Steilacoom soccer — Junior midfielder had two goals in Tuesday’s 8-0 win over Clover Park.
Bella Phipps, Washington soccer — Freshman midfielder scored two goals in Wednesday’s 6-0 win over Lincoln, adding one goal and one assist in Monday’s 4-2 win over Evergreen Lutheran.
Kinley Smith, Timberline volleyball — In three-set wins over Gig Harbor and Bellarmine Prep, the junior outside hitter had a combined 32 kills, 14 digs, three aces, and two blocks.
Haley Van Dusen, Steilacoom soccer — Senior captain guided Sentinels to two shutouts over Eatonville and Orting with defensive skills and leadership ability.
Jenica Walling, Cascade Christian volleyball — Senior outside hitter had 15 kills, six digs, three aces, and two blocks in Wednesday’s three-set sweep of East Jefferson.
Latham West, Bonney Lake cross country — Senior ran a season-best 17:28.1 (5,000 meters) at the Nike Hole in the Wall Invitational in Arlington on Saturday.
Sydney Winters, Auburn Riverside soccer — Sophomore keeper delivered consecutive shutouts with a combined 22 saves in Tuesday’s scoreless tie with Mount Rainier and Thursday’s 4-0 win over Auburn.
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 1:44 PM.
