Redondo Union Sweeps Crean Lutheran in CIF Playoffs

Redondo Union secured a decisive three-set victory in Irvine following an early injury to a Crean Lutheran starter.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Volleyball

Expressive editorial sports illustration showing a volleyball player mid-spike in a gym, highlighting dynamic movement and team colors. — Redondo Union advanced in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs after defeating Crean Lutheran in straight sets on Tuesday in Irvine. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should a team's successful season be judged by its final playoff result or overall progress?

Redondo Union defeated Crean Lutheran in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 girls volleyball playoffs. The match ended in straight sets with scores of 25-15, 25-16, and 25-16.

Why it matters

The victory allows Redondo Union to advance in the postseason bracket while ending a strong campaign for the Crean Lutheran team. The loss marks a difficult conclusion for a program that dominated its league play this year.

Redondo Union hit nine kills each through Abbie Hairrell and Lea Blair. Crean Lutheran concludes their season with an 8-0 record in the Crestview League and an overall record of 24-5.

The players

Redondo Union

This is a competitive high school girls volleyball program participating in the CIF Southern Section.

Crean Lutheran

This is an Irvine-based high school athletic program that finished its league season undefeated.

Brooklyn Jones

She is a senior student-athlete for the Crean Lutheran volleyball team.

Abbie Hairrell

She is a student-athlete for the Redondo Union volleyball team.

Lea Blair

She is a student-athlete for the Redondo Union volleyball team.

The details

Redondo Union utilized a distinct height advantage at the net to control the tempo. Momentum shifted early in the match when Crean Lutheran senior Brooklyn Jones suffered a knee injury, after which Redondo Union outscored their opponents 7-1.

The match took place on October 20, 2026.
Redondo Union will host the quarterfinal match on October 27, 2026.

Football
Oct. 13
Seamus Hoffman Named Athlete of the Week
Soccer
Oct. 22
UC Irvine Beats Cal Poly With Late Goal
Accidents
Oct. 16
Irvine Driver Arrested After Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash

Season Trajectory

This win positions Redondo Union to continue their postseason run in the upcoming quarterfinals. The match effectively removes Crean Lutheran from the CIF Southern Section Division 2 title race after their dominant league campaign.

Redondo Union will advance to host Newport Harbor in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Crean Lutheran ends its competitive season after successfully maintaining an undefeated record within the Crestview League.

The takeaway

Sudden injuries can drastically alter the momentum of high-stakes playoff matches. Maintaining team depth is essential for programs hoping to survive the volatility of single-elimination tournament play.