Vote: Who should be High School on SI National Girls Athlete of the Week? (9/29/2025)

Which athlete had the best performance in the nation from Sept. 22-28?

Hamilton's Samaya Taylor-Jenkins. / Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Each week during the high school sports season, High School on SI will gather the best performances across the country with the help of fans, readers and staff.

Now, it’s your turn to choose a standout among the pack, the best of the best.

Here are the nominees for High School on SI’s National High School Girls Athlete of the Week for Sept. 22-28. Voting closes on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time). The winner will be announced in the following week’s National High School Girls Athlete of the Week post. 

The poll is below the write-ups on each athlete.

Congratulations to Rio Chesluk of San Marcos (California) for winning last week’s National High School Girls Athlete of the Week poll. Chesluk caught three touchdowns in a 32-0 flag football rout of Ventura. 

Want to nominate an athlete? Email Bob Lundeberg at bob.lundeberg@gmail.com

High School on SI National Girls Athlete of the Week nominees

1. Aaliyah Arellano, so., Watsonville (California) flag football

Arellano accounted for six total touchdowns — four passing, two receiving — in a 39-0 shutout of Alvarez. 

2. Alaina Auer, sr., Crestview (Ohio) volleyball

Auer notched 31 kills in a sweep of Brookfield. 

3. Gentry Barker, jr., Lake Travis (Texas) volleyball

Barker had 21 kills, 11 digs and an ace in a four-set victory over Dripping Springs. 

4. Kiera Baumann, so., Audubon (New Jersey) field hockey

Baumann tallied three goals and two assists as Audubon defeated Glassboro, 6-1. 

5. Autumn Cassidy, so., Austin (Alabama) flag football

Cassidy accumulated 344 yards of total offense and threw five touchdowns in a 43-12 win over Bob Jones. 

6. Keala Cicchino, sr., Kearny (New Jersey) soccer

Cicchino netted four goals — a new career-high — in a 5-0 shutout of Union City. 

7. Camille Csernik, jr., Klein Oak (Texas) volleyball

Csernik piled up 28 kills, 11 digs, three aces and three blocks in a five-set victory over Tomball Memorial. 

8. Tessa Dodd, sr., Laramie (Wyoming) volleyball

Dodd, a Kansas commit, recorded her 1,000th career kill as Laramie won three matches on the opening day of the Casper Invitational. 

9. Dana Faga, jr., Armijo (California) flag football

Faga had 10 flag pulls and scored a touchdown as Armijo blanked West Campus, 22-0. 

10. Mailee Hilburn, jr., Anacortes (Washington) soccer

Hilburn scored four goals in a 5-1 win over Squalicum. 

11. Parker Krajsa, sr., Berks Catholic (Pennsylvania) field hockey

Krajsa finished with three goals and three assists in a 6-0 shutout of Reading. 

12. Addison McDonald, sr., Gaylord (Michigan) volleyball

McDonald eclipsed the 500 career kills mark in a straight-sets loss to Traverse City West. 

13. Fallon Passanante, sr., Fargo Davies (North Dakota) volleyball

Passanante led the way with 21 kills in a straight-sets win over Fargo North. 

14. Alexzandria Richardson, jr., St. Charles North (Illinois) flag football

Richardson dominated on both sides of the ball in a 29-26 loss to Fremd, recording 19 flag pulls and an interception with 128 yards of total offense and a touchdown. 

15. Sophia Schaffer, jr., Northwestern Lehigh (Pennsylvania) soccer

Schaffer scored five goals in an 8-0 shutout of Saucon Valley. 

16. Elle Sossong, so., Spring-Ford (Pennsylvania) volleyball

Sossong had 23 kills, six digs, two blocks and two aces in a sweep of Pope John Paul II. Teammate Lila Olsen added 22 kills. 

17. Samaya Taylor-Jenkins, sr., Hamilton (Arizona) flag football

Taylor-Jenkins caught four touchdown passes in a 48-7 win over Canyon View.

About Our Athlete of the Week Voting

High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.

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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports

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