Gia Bigelow Named High School Girls' West Player of the Year

Some players put up impressive statistics. Others become the player every opponent must account for on every possession. Throughout the 2026 season, Gia Bigelow was both.

The Valor Christian (Colo.) junior established herself as one of the most complete and impactful players in the country while helping lead the Eagles to a second consecutive Colorado 5A state championship. A dynamic two-way midfielder, Bigelow influenced every phase of the game with her ability to score, facilitate, control possessions, create transition opportunities and make game-changing plays on the defensive end.

For her outstanding season and her ability to influence the outcome of games, Bigelow is the 2026 USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ West Region Player and Midfielder of the Year.

Her stat line only begins to tell the story. Bigelow finished the season with 45 goals, 18 assists, 105 draw controls, 34 ground balls and 32 caused turnovers while leading Valor Christian to a 15-2 record and another state title. She was the rare player capable of taking over games offensively while also impacting possession battles and defensive matchups. Every game seemed to feature a momentum-changing play with Bigelow at the center of it.

What separated Bigelow from many of the region’s stars was her ability to elevate her game against the toughest competition. Valor Christian’s schedule featured matchups against several of the West’s premier programs, including Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), St. Ignatius (Calif.), Colorado Academy, and Regis Jesuit (Colo.). Despite being the focal point of every scouting report, Bigelow consistently found ways to impact games as a scorer, playmaker, defender and draw control queen.

Her biggest moments often came on the biggest stages. In the Colorado 5A state championship game victory over Regis Jesuit, Bigelow delivered two goals, three assists, 11 draw controls, two caused turnovers and one ground ball to help secure Valor Christian's second consecutive title.

— Sonorah Hunter

Girls All-West Team

Attacker of the Year: Kat Dykes, Jr., Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.)

Dykes established herself as one of the most dangerous offensive players in the West, leading Sacred Heart Prep’s attack with 60 goals and 22 assists. The Virginia commit consistently delivered against top competition while helping guide the Gators through another successful campaign. Dykes combined elite finishing ability, playmaking vision and leadership to become the focal point of one of Northern California’s top offenses.

Midfielder of the Year: Gia Bigelow, Jr., Valor Christian (Colo.)

See above.

Defender of the Year: Katie Pepper, Sr., Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.)

Pepper anchored one of the West’s top defenses while establishing herself as one of the premier defenders in the country. The Dartmouth commit earned Defender of the Year honors after helping lead Sacred Heart Prep through another standout season. A USA Lacrosse All-American and multiple-time First Team All-CCS selection, Pepper combined elite athleticism, physicality and defensive instincts to consistently neutralize opposing offenses. Her leadership and reliability made her the foundation of the Gators’ defensive success.

Goalie of the Year: Sam Lundquist, Sr., St. Ignatius (Calif.)

Lundquist concluded her career as one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in St. Ignatius history. The UC Davis commit recorded 255 career saves and a 61.3-percent save percentage while earning First Team All-WBAL honors in both 2025 and 2026. A senior captain and program record holder, Lundquist consistently delivered in the biggest moments and provided a steady presence in net for one of California's premier programs.

Specialist of the Year: Isla Hoffelt, Jr., Grant (Ore.)

Hoffelt was the engine behind Grant’s success all season, dominating the draw circle and consistently giving her team extra possessions. The Oregon Player of the Year finished with 151 draw controls, one of the top totals in the West, while leading Grant to the state championship game. A Cornell commit, All-American, and team captain, Hoffelt combined elite draw technique, athleticism, and determination to control possession from the opening whistle. She also added 79 goals, 16 assists, 56 ground balls, and 20 caused turnovers, making her the clear choice as the West Region’s top draw specialist.

West Girls Top 10

1. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 20-0

Sacred Heart Prep completed one of the most impressive seasons in West Region history, finishing a perfect 20-0 and capturing the state championship with a 10-7 victory over St. Ignatius (Calif.). From start to finish, the Gators combined elite defensive play with balanced scoring, consistently proving themselves against the region's top competition. Their résumé included major victories over Valor Christian (Colo.), Redwood (Calif.), and two wins over St. Ignatius (Calif.), including the championship game. Virginia commit Kat Dykes emerged as one of the team's top offensive weapons throughout the season, while Dartmouth-bound defender Katie Pepper dominated all over the field with caused turnovers, ground balls and draw controls. Maggie Goldstein and Nora Still also played critical roles during the undefeated run. A perfect record, championship trophy, and multiple wins over elite opponents left no doubt about who deserved the West's top ranking. Previous: 1

2. Valor Christian (Colo.), 15-2

Valor Christian successfully defended its Colorado state title, defeating Regis Jesuit (Colo.) 12-6 to secure back-to-back championships and cap another remarkable season. The Eagles once again established themselves as one of the premier programs in the West through their physical defense, transition play and depth across the field. The season included a memorable 9-8 victory over American Heritage (Fla.) and dominant in-state wins throughout Colorado. In the championship game, Gia Bigelow delivered one of the year's most complete performances, finishing with two goals, three assists, 11 draw controls, two caused turnovers, and a ground ball. Freshman McKinnley Clarkson announced herself as one of Colorado's rising stars with five goals in the title game, while Virginia commit Micki Tanella and goalkeeper Allie Moskowitz provided leadership on both ends of the field. Valor's championship culture continued to shine throughout another title-winning campaign. Previous: 2

3. Coronado (Calif.), 17-3

Coronado saved its best lacrosse for the biggest stage, capturing the California state championship with a thrilling 10-9 victory over La Costa Canyon (Calif.) in one of the season's most memorable games. The Islanders spent the spring battling elite competition and steadily developed into one of the deepest teams in the region. Their championship résumé included victories over La Costa Canyon (Calif.), Cathedral Catholic (Calif.), and Marlborough (Calif.), while their balanced roster consistently found ways to win close games. Breck Dunn emerged as the star of the postseason, recording four goals and several key assists in the championship game, including the go-ahead goal late in the third quarter. Lilah Cade also played a key role throughout the playoff run as Coronado's offensive depth overwhelmed opponents. The Islanders' ability to deliver in pressure moments ultimately separated them from the rest of the California field. Previous: 3

4. La Costa Canyon (Calif.), 16-3

La Costa Canyon put together another outstanding season, advancing all the way to the California state championship game before falling just short in a 10-9 battle against Coronado. The Mavericks remained among Southern California's elite from opening day through the final whistle of the season. A defining stretch came early in the spring when La Costa Canyon defeated Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), Mira Costa (Calif.) and Redwood (Calif.) in the same week. The Mavericks also responded to their regular-season loss against Coronado with an impressive 18-11 victory over Torrey Pines (Calif.). Junior midfielder Alexis Felago developed into one of the region's premier all-around players, contributing on the draw, offensively and defensively, while Martha Hall provided consistent leadership throughout the postseason. Previous: 4

5. St. Ignatius (Calif.), 16-6

Few teams faced a more demanding schedule than St. Ignatius. The Wildcats challenged themselves throughout the season against elite regional and national competition before advancing all the way to the state championship game. St. Ignatius earned notable victories over Regis Jesuit (Colo.), Menlo-Atherton (Calif.), Menlo School (Calif.) and St. Francis-Mountain View (Calif.) while navigating one of the toughest schedules in the West. Sophie Ghosh, Kaija Walcott and Phoebe Oliven emerged as key contributors throughout the year, helping lead a balanced offensive attack. Although the Wildcats ultimately fell to Sacred Heart Prep in the championship game, their willingness to play top competition every week helped establish them as one of the region's most battle-tested teams. Previous: 5

6. Mira Costa (Calif.), 16-3

Mira Costa finished the season playing its best lacrosse, capturing the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship with a convincing 12-6 victory over Santa Margarita (Calif.). The Mustangs steadily improved throughout the spring and peaked at exactly the right time. The playoff run included dominant wins over JSerra (Calif.) and Mater Dei (Calif.) before the championship victory. Emma Barrows delivered a spectacular title-game performance with four goals and an assist, while Lauren Fan added three goals and two assists. Mira Costa's explosive offense consistently created matchup problems throughout the postseason and helped the Mustangs finish with one of the strongest championship runs in Southern California. Previous: 6

7. Santa Margarita (Calif.), 16-3

Santa Margarita pieced together one of the best seasons in program history, advancing to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship game and spending the spring among Southern California's elite programs. The Eagles combined offensive firepower with strong goaltending to make a deep postseason run. Signature victories over Palos Verdes (Calif.), Orange Lutheran (Calif.), Marlborough (Calif.), and Torrey Pines (Calif.) highlighted the season. Maddy Yoo emerged as one of the region's most dangerous scorers, including a seven-goal performance against Torrey Pines, while Bella Hamo contributed across every area of the field with scoring, assists and draw controls. Goalkeeper Nayana Katragadda anchored the defense and delivered a remarkable 14-save effort in the championship game. While the Eagles fell to Mira Costa in the final, their season firmly established them among California's top programs. Previous: 7

8. Jesuit Portland (Ore.), 17-0

Jesuit Portland completed a perfect 17-0 season and captured the Oregon state championship with an 11-9 victory over Grant (Ore.). While many of the region's top teams competed in California and Colorado, the Crusaders quietly dominated the Pacific Northwest from start to finish. The season featured a dramatic overtime victory over Grant during the regular season before Jesuit secured the championship rematch. The Crusaders relied on exceptional team chemistry, disciplined defense and a fast-paced transition game to overwhelm opponents throughout the year. While they lacked nationally recognized individual stars, their depth and collective execution consistently separated them from the rest of the Northwest field. Previous: 8

9. Marin Academy (Calif.), 17-3

Marin Academy emerged as one of the biggest breakout stories in Northern California, peaking at the perfect time to capture the CIF North Coast Section championship. The Wildcats steadily gained momentum throughout the season before delivering their best performances during the postseason. Their championship run was highlighted by a 9-7 victory over Marin Catholic (Calif.) in the title game, avenging an earlier regular-season loss, and a narrow 7-6 semifinal victory over Redwood (Calif.). Cal commit Elsa Anderson led the way with two goals and an assist in the championship game, while Princeton-bound Stephanie Zola added a goal and an assist. Marin Academy's ability to execute in close games and rise to the occasion against elite competition transformed them from an unranked team into one of the region's top programs. Previous: 9

10. Regis Jesuit (Colo.), 15-4

Regis Jesuit once again demonstrated why it remains one of Colorado's most consistent programs, advancing to the state championship game and finishing among the West Region's top teams. The Raiders combined athleticism, defensive discipline and depth to make another deep postseason run. Regis secured the No. 2 seed in the state tournament following strong regular-season victories over Columbine (Colo.) and Arapahoe (Colo.) before reaching the championship game. Natalie Chilton and Anna Hodges emerged as key contributors throughout the season, helping lead one of Colorado's strongest defensive units. Although the Raiders fell to Valor Christian (Colo.) in the state final, their consistency against top competition throughout the year reinforced their place among the West's elite programs. Previous: 10