Vote now: Bay Area News Group girls athlete of the week
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 Feb. 28-March 6.
Polls close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Vote as many times as you’d like until then.
Candidates for future Athlete of the Week polls can be nominated at highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com.
We also review stats submitted to MaxPreps by coaches/team statisticians.
On to the nominees:
Emma Fales, Branham softball: Senior RHP fired a perfect game in a 6-0 win over San Lorenzo Valley. Fanned seven. Also 2-for-3 at the plate. Threw a one-hitter in a 5-inning shutout over Woodside. Is 6-for-9 with 3 doubles, 3 RBIs in the Bruins’ 5-0 start. Headed to George Washington University.
Silivia Fonongaloa, Salesian basketball: The 6-1 senior scored 44 points, had 20 rebounds in three games as Pride rolled into CIF NorCal Regional final, where it will play St. Ignatius. Had 20 points, seven boards in win over Bishop O’Dowd. Team leader in rebounds, second in scoring.
America Frias, Leigh soccer: UCLA-bound forward scored game’s only goal in 1-0 win over Granite Bay, handing Leigh the Division II CIF NorCal soccer championship. Senior is a Top Drawer Soccer four-star recruit.
Esha Gupta, Los Altos soccer: Senior team captain led Eagles to CIF NorCal Division III semifinals before they were eliminated by eventual champion Chico. First-team all-league in the SCVAL De Anza Division. Still deciding where she will attend college. Has several offers.
Emma Ham, Mt. Eden softball: Senior infielder/pitcher led Monarchs to 4-0 start, going 9-for-14 with six doubles, homer and eight RBI. In 2-0 win over American, had two hits, scored both runs and homered. Team co-captain was all-WACC Shoreline Division. first-team member as a freshman.
Camryn Higuchi, Pioneer soccer: Senior forward scored two goals against Campolindo and had an assist vs. California as Mustangs reached finals of CIF NorCal Division IV soccer championships. The team scoring leader helped Pioneer win five straight postseason games.
McKenna Nolasco, Fremont Christian soccer: Three-sport athlete scored five goals and had an assist in 7-4 win over Contra Costa Christian in season-opener. Warriors play soccer in spring. Senior was an honorable mention on the all-Bay Area News Group basketball team as a sophomore.
Taylor Rodriguez, Livermore softball: Senior right-hander threw complete-game two-hitter in 9-0 win over Petaluma. Walked two, struck out 14. Went 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run. Also plays first and third base. Will continue playing softball at Dominican University.
Valentina Saric, Priory basketball: Morehead State-bound guard poured in 28 points during a 66-62 win over Clovis in a first-round game at the CIF NorCal Regionals. The 6-1 senior had six 3-pointers. The Panthers reached the semifinals before losing to Oakland Tech.
Marisela Somvichian, Oakland Tech basketball: The 5-6 guard led Bulldogs with 19 points in 72-34 win over Priory in the semifinals of CIF NorCal Regional. Team captain and scoring leader poured in 12 points in the first quarter as Tech raced to a 26-3 lead. Also leads the team in assists.