Dimond Volleyball Seeks Third Title in Five Years

Dimond High School volleyball enters the Region IV championship tournament as the top seed, carrying a 33-0 record against Alaska opponents. The team has not dropped a match to an in-state rival since securing the 4A state championship last season. This regular season campaign marks their first undefeated run against state competition since the program's previous title.

The Lynx concluded the regular season on Oct. 27 with a four-set victory over South. While the team dominated the early portion of the schedule, they faced increased resistance in the final weeks. Chugiak forced a five-set match on Oct. 16, and South pushed the Lynx to a close four-set decision. The only team to win a set against Dimond before that stretch was Chugiak on Sept. 15.

Head coach Kim Lauwers views these late-season challenges as essential preparation for the postseason. She noted that remaining undefeated without being tested can be dangerous. The coaching staff believes the team learned valuable lessons from these close matches, particularly in how to recover from deficits. Lauwers described the upcoming tournament as a fresh start where previous results do not carry over.

The team's depth is led by three captains who anchor the roster. Senior Ailafo Fautanu and junior Anayah Sila are the most prominent figures on the court. Fautanu leads the team with 309 digs and is second in kills with 266. Sila tops the kill column with 277 and is second in digs with 308. Both players are six-rotation members who rarely leave the court during matches.

Sila acknowledged that the team remains focused on daily improvement rather than their current record. She emphasized the need to stay consistent and work hard as the postseason approaches. The junior captain values the opportunity to lead alongside the senior captains, aiming to continue the program's culture of teamwork and enjoyment.

Fautanu initially hesitated to take on a leadership role but has embraced the responsibility. She credits the experience of lifting teammates to her growth as a player. The senior leads the squad in defensive plays and provides a stable presence in the back row. Her performance is a key component of the team's ability to sustain long rallies.

The Lynx began the 2026 season with a difficult out-of-state tournament where they lost four consecutive matches. They were swept in two of those games and fell in four sets in the others. The team credits that early struggle for improving their serve, receive, and speed. They returned home and won their first five in-state matches while losing only two sets over the next two months.

Lauwers stated that the team does not discuss their undefeated status in the locker room. Instead, the focus remains on scouting the next opponent and executing the game plan. The coach attributes the team's culture to the leadership of the upperclassmen, who understand the expectations and communicate them effectively to younger players.

Region IV competition begins Tuesday with a double-elimination format. Dimond hosts the opening round slate at 7 p.m. against No. 8 Eagle River. South hosts Service at 7 p.m., while Chugiak plays Bartlett at 5 p.m. in the same venue. The remaining games will be held at Service, with the finals scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m.