Winner of The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week (Oct. 20 to 25)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between Oct. 20-25. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Elaina Duong, Curtis volleyball
The senior libero had 17 digs, seven assists and 12 serves received in a 3-0 win over Rogers on Monday and 14 digs, three assists and nine serves received in a 3-0 win over South Kitsap on Wednesday.
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.
Sophie Boatright, Tumwater soccer — Senior midfielder scored two goals with an assist in Tuesday’s 6-0 win over Shelton, adding an assist in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Black Hills.
Lejla Carlsson, Gig Harbor cross country — Won the 3A PSL league championship meet at Fort Steilacoom on Saturday with a time of 18 minutes, 18.3 seconds.
Addy Conner, North Thurston volleyball — Senior outside hitter had 14 kills in sweep over Capital and 18 kills in sweep over Peninsula. Averaging 6.3 kills/set on the season.
Grace Coonrod, Eatonville cross country — Won the 2A SPSL league championship meet at Fort Steilacoom on Saturday with a time of 19 minutes, 47.9 seconds.
Elaina Duong, Curtis volleyball — Libero had 17 digs, seven assists and 12 serves received in 3-0 win over Rogers on Monday and 14 digs, three assists and nine serves received in 3-0 win over South Kitsap on Wednesday.
Ashley Gallagher, Steilacoom soccer — Sophomore midfielder scored two goals in 3-2 win over Franklin Pierce on Friday.
Charlie Leipheimer, Tahoma volleyball — Senior outside hitter posted career highs in kills (27) and digs (22) in Tuesday’s five-set loss to Mount Rainier, adding eight kills and 19 digs in Thursday’s sweep of Auburn.
Anne Louden, Gig Harbor soccer — Junior midfielder notched a hat trick (three goals) with an assist in Tuesday’s 11-0 win over Mount Tahoma, then added a goal in wins over Central Kitsap (2-1) and crosstown-rival Peninsula (3-2).
Destiny Mars, Timberline volleyball — Senior outside hitter tallied 17 kills, five digs, and two aces in Tuesday’s sweep over Peninsula.
Greta McDowell, Tahoma cross country — Won the 4A NPSL sub-district meet at Fort Steilacoom on Saturday with a time of 19 minutes, 22.9 seconds.
Kyler Menza, Washington soccer — Senior midfielder scored two goals with an assist in Tuesday’s 7-0 win over Clover Park.
Selana Morales, Curtis volleyball — Senior had 10 kills in 3-0 win over Rogers on Monday and 18 kills in 3-0 win over South Kitsap on Wednesday.
Bella Phipps, Washington soccer — Freshman midfielder scored a career-high four goals with two assists in 7-0 win over Clover Park on Tuesday.
Paeton Poelman, White River cross country — Won the 3A NPSL sub-district meet at Fort Steilacoom on Saturday with a time of 19 minutes, 0.1 seconds.
Kayla Pope, Tumwater soccer — Senior midfielder scored the game’s decisive goal in 1-0 win over rival Black Hills on Thursday.
Kinley Smith, Timberline volleyball — Junior outside hitter had 15 kills in sweep over Peninsula on Tuesday.
Taylor Sullivan, Gig Harbor soccer — Sophomore midfielder scored two goals in 3-2 win over rival Peninsula on Saturday.
Kayla Tarver, Franklin Pierce soccer — Senior midfielder scored two goals in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Eatonville, adding an assist in Friday’s 3-2 loss to Steilacoom.
Diya Thomas, Kentwood soccer — Scored the team’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Auburn Riverside on Tuesday and scored all six goals in 6-1 win over Auburn on Thursday.
Jenica Walling, Cascade Christian volleyball — Senior outside hitter had 19 kills in sweep over Charles Wright and 16 kills in sweep over Annie Wright.
Latham West, Bonney Lake cross country — Won the 4A SPSL league championship meet at Fort Steilacoom on Thursday with a time of 17 minutes, 43.4 seconds.
Elizabeth Wiggs, Tahoma soccer — Senior forward scored two goals in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Kentridge, adding a goal in Monday’s 1-0 win over Mount Rainier. Wiggs continues a nine-game scoring streak.
This story was originally published October 27, 2025 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Winner of The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week (Oct. 20 to 25)."
