After three days of voting, the choice for this week's top athlete wasn't even close. Jimmy Ralph, a junior soccer defender at Lincoln-Way East, won with 80 percent of the vote.

Ralph is now eligible for the October athlete of the month consideration.

The nominees for Southland Patch Athlete of the Week, Oct. 24-31, were:

Danielle Dowd, senior, volleyball outside hitter, Lincoln-Way Central. Dowd had 10 kills and four aces in Central’s 19-25, 25-19, 25-19 victory over Providence in the Class 4A regional final at Providence. Included were three aces with the match on the line in Game 3.

Dakota Hampton, junior, volleyball outside hitter, Sandburg. Hampton had 10 kills, three blocks and three aces in Sandburg’s 25-18, 25-18 victory over Lincoln-Way North in the championship match at the Class 4A Crete-Monee Regional.

Jimmy Ralph, junior soccer defender, Lincoln-Way East. Ralph scored the game-winning penalty kick in Lincoln-Way East’s 1-0 victory over Stagg in the championship match at the Class 3A Andrew sectional.

Anfernee Roberts, senior, football running back/defensive back, Homewood-Flossmoor. Roberts rushed for 140 yards and scored two touchdowns in H-F’s 48-28 victory over Marist in a first-round Class 8A playoff game. He also tacked on 45 receiving yards. His running in the second half helped the Vikings control the clock and, ultimately, the game.

Gina Ryan, senior, volleyball outside hitter, Oak Forest. Ryan had 12 kills in Oak Forest’s 25-17, 25-19 victory over Tinley Park in the Class 3A regional final at Oak Forest. The regional title was the fourth straight for the Bengals.

Martez Walker, senior, football running back, Brother Rice. Walker rushed for 183 yards on 16 carries and scored three touchdowns in Brother Rice’s 35-14 victory over Sandburg in the opening round of the Class 8A playoffs. He boosted his TD total to 19 and point total to 118, both single-season Crusader school records.

Like to Nominate Your Athlete Next Week? Email nominations to Sports Editor Ron Kremer (ron.kremer@patch.com). Nominations must be received by noon on Monday for consideration. Please include a photo or photos of your nominee and detailed information on why he or she is a deserving candidate for the weekly award. Weekly winners are eligible for Patch Athlete of the Month recognition.