Winner of The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week (Oct. 27 to Nov. 1)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between Oct. 27-Nov. 1. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Kayla Pope, Tumwater soccer
The senior midfielder scored a goal with two assists in Tuesday’s 5-0 win over Centralia.
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 a season-high 23 kills with 18 digs and five blocks to knock off undefeated North Thurston on Wednesday. Alefaio added 10 kills, 10 digs, and three blocks in Monday’s three-set sweep of Peninsula.
Kayla Baker, Curtis volleyball — Junior right side hitter posted a season-high 12 kills in Tuesday’s three-set sweep of Yelm.
Ava Close-Boyd, Charles Wright volleyball — Senior outside hitter posted 18 kills and three blocks in Monday’s five-set win over Life Christian Academy, then had 14 kills and three aces in Wednesday’s three-set sweep of Vashon Island.
Addy Conner, North Thurston volleyball — Senior outside hitter tallied 12 kills in Monday’s three-set sweep of River Ridge, then had 22 kills and 10 digs in Wednesday’s four-set loss to Lakes.
Karlie Dickerson, Graham-Kapowsin volleyball — Senior outside hitter posted a season-high 24 kills in Tuesday’s five-set win over Rogers.
Charlie Leipheimer, Tahoma volleyball — Senior outside hitter had 20 kills and eight digs in Monday’s three-set sweep of Kentridge, then posted 23 kills, 19 digs, and season-high four aces in Wednesday’s five-set loss to Kennedy Catholic.
Abby Losey, North Thurston volleyball — Junior outside hitter had 10 kills and four digs in Monday’s 3-0 win over River Ridge, then posted 15 kills and 11 digs in Wednesday’s four-set loss to Lakes.
Mia Nelson, Curtis volleyball — Junior outside hitter posted 10 kills, two digs, and an ace in Tuesday’s three-set sweep of Yelm.
Lauren Parry, Steilacoom soccer — Junior midfielder tallied one goal and one assist in Tuesday’s 5-0 win over Eatonville.
Alivia Pena Arteaga, Franklin Pierce soccer — Sophomore striker scored a goal with two assists in Tuesday’s 6-0 win over Washington.
Kayla Pope, Tumwater soccer — Senior midfielder scored a goal with two assists in Tuesday’s 5-0 win over Centralia.
Kinley Smith, Timberline volleyball — Junior outside hitter tallied 15 kills, six digs, and a season-high seven aces in Monday’s three-set sweep of Capital.
Kayla Tarver, Franklin Pierce soccer — Senior midfielder notched a hat trick (three goals) with an assist in Tuesday’s 6-0 win over Washington.
Jenica Walling, Cascade Christian volleyball — Senior outside hitter posted 24 kills and 14 digs in Monday’s three-set sweep of Klahowya, then had 16 kills and 17 digs in Wednesday’s three-set sweep of Bellevue Christian.
This story was originally published November 3, 2025 at 1:28 PM.
