The Dimond Lynx outlasted the South Wolverines in a 5-set thriller on Friday night, staying undefeated in the Cook Inlet Conference Tournament and advancing to tonight’s championship match.

In front of a fired-up crowd, the 25-16, 13-25, 25-20, 15-25, 15-11 win came down to the wire as the two evenly matched teams stayed ready and eager to capitalize on momentum.

“I knew it would be a battle, and I’m just happy to win tonight,” said Dimond coach Kim Lauwers. “I think any time we play them, it’s going to be like that.”

The first two sets saw both sides deliver a commanding performance, with Dimond (14-0) coming out swinging with a dominant 25-16 win in the first set and South (11-3) responding with a 25-13 rout in the second set.

The Lynx held onto a solid lead to open up the match. As momentum swelled near the end of the set, sophomore outside hitter Ailafo Fautanu nailed three kills in the final six points to close it out. The team was also boosted by aces from senior libero Eleasha Sapon and sophomore setter Puao Asailevai.

South took aim in the second set led by senior middle Litia Momoisea, who delivered strong spikes into empty corners of the court, served up aces, and shut down the offense with blocks at the net. Junior setter/opposite Ellie Kleven pitched in with two dumps over the net.

Dimond secured its 2-sets-to-1 advantage after prevailing in a back-and-forth third set that saw the two teams trading points.

Sapon’s leadership in the back court is evident at all times but shined in the closing moments of the third as she served up two aces on a platter and delivered a timely dig that extended the set point rally. Along with junior setter Grace Petru, the duo found a way to be nearly everywhere on the court to make saves for the Lynx.

“Coach likes to say ‘hold each other accountable’ because we’re more than just teammates, we’ve grown to be a family,” said Sapon after the match. “These girls are my sisters.”

Dimond jumped out with a three-point streak to start the fourth, with a dump from Petru and kills by freshman setter Anayah Sila and senior middle/outside hitter Sarah Dittman.

But the Wolverines weren’t done yet, clawing back with a 25-15 win to even it out and force a tiebreaker. Momoisea, junior middle Indy Kmet, and junior outside hitter Rachael White were key on offense, with an ace from Kmet sealing it on the set point.

“That’s the thing about volleyball, it’s such a head case,” said coach Lauwers.

“I’m really just thinking about the next point,” said Sila on bouncing back. “Supporting my teammates, just lifting them up, and just really giving my all to the next point and the next set.”

As the energy built in the fifth, Sila gave it her all indeed, smashing the final two kills that closed out the match for the Lynx and erupted the gym into cheers.

Dimond’s opponent for the conference championship depends on the outcome of two matches today. Service faces off with Chugiak at 2:00 p.m., and the winner of that match will take on South at 4:00 p.m. to determine who will move on to the championship match at 6:00 p.m. All of today’s matches will take place in the Service High School gym.