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.
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 Aug. 21-26.
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 any votes after 5 p.m. on 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 [email protected].
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 sophomore outside hitter led the team in kills and was top three in digs during Logan’s 5-0 run through the Hillsdale varsity challenge. Anderson had 32 Kills and 44 digs.
Eden Barnes, Berkeley water polo: Barnes, a senior, started the season with eight goals over two victories to start the Yellowjacket’s season. She scored five against American and three vs. Pinole Valley.
Kaitlyn Bray, San Ramon Valley flag football: Bray was dominant against Campolindo in a 30- victory. The quarterback The senior completed nine of 10 passes for 149 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Erin Castro, Gilroy field hockey: Castro, a senior goalkeeper, started the season with a two-save shutout against Hollister. Castro is also a varsity basketball, lacrosse and softball player for Gilroy.
Valerie Eng, Lynbrook volleyball: Eng and Lynbrook had a busy opening week, playing in six games. The senior setter had 15 aces, 38 digs and a whopping 87 digs against opponents such as Cupertino and reigning CCS champion Branham.
Maleni Garcia, Mt. Eden volleyball: Garcia, a junior, had five aces and five serves received in Mt. Eden’s season opener against Newark Memorial.
Cleo Hardin, Menlo School volleyball: Hardin, a senior, had 21 kills in a five-set victory against Aragon. At Spikefest, she had 61 kills, 17 digs and 10 aces in five matches for the Knights.
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Grace Henderson, Palo Alto water polo: Henderson, a sophomore, put in five goals in Palo Alto’s season-opening victory over Menlo-Atherton.
Claudia Salquist, Leigh volleyball: Salquist, a senior, had 47 assists, 19 digs and one ace in two victories last week. She had 27 assists in a 3-2 victory over American in the season-opener.
Samantha Segle, Benicia flag football: Segle, a junior, caught 30 and 15-yard touchdowns from quarterback Katy Nichols in Benicia’s 26-20 victory over California.
Elon Smith, Deer Valley volleyball: Smith, a junior, played two games and had six blocks for Deer Valley. She also had nine kills in games against Lincoln-San Jose and Irvington.
