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. 1-6.
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 [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:
Leilah Abrams, Sacred Heart Prep volleyball: The sophomore had 17 kills in a win over Archbishop Riordan, 21 in a win over Palo Alto and 11 in a win over Burlingame as SHP finished the week 3-0 against a trio of quality Bay Area teams.
Ania Aleshi, Hillsdale flag football: The junior completed 29 of 37 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns as Hillsdale beat Santa Clara 21-6. She added 13 yards rushing on three carries. She also went 17 of 21 for 116 yards in a loss to San Mateo.
Dora Amirkhany, Menlo School tennis: The freshman went 5-0 at the ninth annual Golden State Classic tennis tournament held at multiple Bay Area high schools, helping Menlo finish fourth of 32 teams competing.
Hannah Gardner, Miramonte water polo: The sophomore scored four goals and added an assist and a steal in a 15-13 win over Archie Williams, then added two steals and a steal in a 13-8 loss to Sacred Heart Prep. She also contributed a steal in an 8-1 win over Campolindo.
Gabriella Gonzalez, Santa Clara flag football: The senior quarterback completed 13 of 20 passes and threw for 130 yards with three touchdowns in a 49-0 win over MacDonald. She added 14 completions for 157 yards and a TD in a loss to Hillsdale.
Natalie Miyamoto, Hercules flag football: The senior had 12 tackles, four passes defended and a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 13-6 win over Mt. Eden. She added eight tackles, a sack, four passes defended and two interception returns for touchdowns in a 25-0 win over Vallejo.
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Sabrina Neal, Los Altos flag football: The junior completed 17 of 27 passes for 106 yards as Los Altos beat Presentation 12-6 in a close contest. She added 76 rushing yards and a TD on 12 attempts.
Katie Vail, Granada flag football: The senior completed 19 of 26 passes for 142 yards and three TDs as Granada beat Monte Vista 19-7. She added 163 yards while completing 18 of 27 passes in a loss to Tracy.
Kennedy Whyte, Monte Vista volleyball: The junior led Monte Vista to a 5-0 record and a win at the Bishop O’Dowd Invitational with 68 kills, 17 aces, 12 blocks and 34 digs.
Helena Younan, Los Gatos flag football: The sophomore quarterback completed 11 of 20 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in Los Gatos’ 25-0 win over St. Francis, then added 22 of 38 passes for 208 yards and four scores in a 32-0 win over Andrew Hill. She rushed for 52 yards across the two games as well.