Dimond Lynx enter Region IV tournament as top seed with 33-0 in-state record
The volleyball squad faces a double-elimination bracket this week after closing the regular season with four tough sets against South.
By Ana Castro ·
Dimond High School volleyball players have not lost a match to an in-state opponent since winning the 4A state championship last season. The Lynx enter the Region IV championship tournament this week as the top seed after finishing the 2026 regular season with a 33-0 record against Alaska competition.
The team closed the regular season on Oct. 27 with a four-set victory over South. Head coach Kim Lauwers noted that the tight game provided a necessary test before the postseason. She stated that sometimes it is scary to be undefeated because the team wants to enter the tournament after being pushed and tested by other strong opponents.
Dimond faced increasing difficulty in the final months of the season. Chugiak forced the Lynx to play a full five-set match on Oct. 16. The following week, Colony rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force another four-set battle. Lauwers said these matches helped the team learn how to come back and maintain focus during high-pressure moments.
Junior Anayah Sila said the team remains grounded despite the long win streak. She emphasized that the players continue to practice hard because other teams will be motivated in the postseason. Senior Ailafo Fautanu added that the team must stay humble because every day presents a new challenge for them to overcome.
The Lynx started the 2026 season with four losses at an out-of-state tournament. They were swept twice and lost in four sets in the other two matches. Sila credited the travel experience with improving the team's serving, serve-receive, and speed. Upon returning home, the team swept its first five opponents and lost only two sets over the next two months.
Lauwers described the regular season as the first phase and the tournament as phase two of the campaign. She said the tournament is a new environment where past results do not matter. The coaching staff focuses on scouting the next opponent rather than dwelling on the undefeated status. The team relies on its three captains, including Sila and Fautanu, to maintain the culture and relay expectations to younger players.
Fautanu leads the team with 309 digs and has 266 kills. Sila leads the Lynx with 277 kills and has 308 digs. Both are six-rotation players who rarely leave the court. Lauwers credited their leadership for helping the younger players understand the team's standards and work ethic.
The double-elimination bracket begins Tuesday with the top seeds hosting opening-round games. Dimond will host No. 8 Eagle River at 7 p.m. and the East-West match at 5 p.m. The tournament will conclude with the finals Saturday at 7 p.m. at Service.
