Editor’s note: We prohibit the use of bots and any other artificial methods of voting. Suspicious activity could lead to the disqualification of candidates and a permanent suspension of the Athlete of the Week poll. No voting by email: Votes by email and after 5 p.m. Wednesday are not counted.
Welcome to the Bay Area News Group (Mercury News & East Bay Times) girls Athlete of the Week poll.
For the entire academic year, we will provide a list of candidates who stood out over the previous week and allow you, the reader, to vote for the winner.
This week, we consider performances from Sept. 16-21.
Polls close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Vote as many times as you’d like until then without using bots or any other artificial methods of voting.
Votes by email and after 5 p.m. Wednesday are not counted.
Scroll to the bottom for the poll.
Winners are announced each Friday online and in the print edition of the Mercury News and East Bay Times sports sections.
Candidates for future Athlete of the Week polls can be nominated at highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com.
We accept nominations until 11 a.m. each Monday.
We also review stats submitted to MaxPreps by coaches/team statisticians.
On to the nominees:
McKenzie Anderson, James Logan volleyball: The Colts’ junior outside hitter had 60 kills, 43 digs and six aces in the Bishop O’Dowd Invitational. The Colts defeated Campolindo in the championship match thanks to Anderson’s 13 kills.
Sophia Casanas, Dublin volleyball: The senior had a team-high 16 digs and 26 serve receptions as the Gaels defeated Granada 3-0. Casanas also had three assists.
Charlie Schlanger, El Cerrito volleyball: The junior middle blocker had a team-high six aces in the Gauchos’ victory over Summit K2. El Cerrito has gotten off to a 7-2 start to the season.
Madison Evangelista, St. Ignatius field hockey: The senior had two goals and two assists in the Wildcats’ 13-0 victory over WCAL rival Valley Christian. That gave her four goals and two assists on the season.
Anylah Haynes, Antioch flag football: Haynes, a junior, rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown in Antioch’s 20-0 victory over Mt. Diablo.
Talia Heneghan, Branham field hockey: The junior goalkeeper had four saves in Branham’s 5-1 victory over Sobrato. She has two shutouts as Branham has started the season 5-1.
Ryleigh Longaker, Sacred Heart Prep flag football: The stellar quarterback threw for four touchdowns against St. Francis and another three TDs vs. Sequoia in two SHP victories. She also accounted for 60 rushing yards.
Yesenia Moffett, Pittsburg water polo: Moffett stood out in a game against Freedom, scoring seven goals and nabbing eight steals. At one point she was able to steal the ball and make a goal all in one play.
Elle Obenour, Leigh field hockey: The junior had a hat trick in the Longhorns’ 6-0 victory over Live Oak. She had three goals and is coming off a sophomore season in which she scored 18 goals.
Riah Paopao, Bethel volleyball: The sophomore had 25 kills and five digs as Bethel swept El Cerrito on Wednesday. On the season, Paopao has 142 kills in 33 sets.
