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Johnell AlexanderFootball

Robert D. Edgren, Japan

Last week: Accounted for 236 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns as the Eagles edged 10-time DODDS-Japan Football League champion Yokota 20-18 on Friday at Edgren’s Eagles Field. The victory ended Edgren’s nine-season, 16-game losing streak to the Panthers and ended Yokota’s 43-game JFL winning streak.

Alexander, a senior, ran 26 times for 200 yards, including first-half touchdown runs of 14 and 39 yards. He also had two returns for 40 yards and caught a pass for minus-4 yards. But it was his drive-killing third-quarter interception on a first-and-goal for Yokota at Edgren’s 5-yard line that proved to be a turning point in the contest.

"He’s an incredibly humble kid," coach Chris Waite said of Alexander, who plays both offense and defense and "never wants to leave the field. He gives the same effort on defense as he does on offense. He’s one of those example kids, a leader."

Marina NakayamaVolleyball

Nile C. Kinnick, Japan

Last week: Demonstrated what coach Al Garrido termed "true grit" during the Red Devils’ four-set home victory over Seisen International, Kinnick’s final home regular-season match and a victory that propelled the Devils to a 21-1 regular-season record — the best in school history.

Nakayama, a sophomore, recorded 28 set assists, resulting in 15 spike kills by Mary Niemeyer and 12 by Camille Kawamoto. It was Kinnick’s seventh straight victory, and it came despite her playing through a wrist injury that she suffered in Kinnick’s lone loss of the season to American School In Japan.

"Through her perseverance (she showed) the type of dedication that we need from a setter for our team," Garrido said of Nakayama, in just her first year of varsity ball. "Her heart was evident … as she gutted it out and led us to victory against a team that beat us twice last season. Her decision-making on the court shows the maturity of a seasoned setter."

— Selected by Stars and Stripes staff

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