Faith Lutheran Advances to Region Volleyball Final
The Crusaders sweep Centennial to secure a spot in the Class 5A state tournament.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Volleyball
Faith Lutheran defeated Centennial in three straight sets on Wednesday to advance to the Class 5A Southern Region championship. The victory earns the Crusaders a berth in the upcoming state tournament, marking the program's first state appearance since 2018.
Why it matters
The win solidifies Faith Lutheran's position as a title contender following a dominant season performance. The team now moves forward to face Bishop Gorman for the region crown.
Abby Bunyan led the Crusaders with 21 kills, while Olivia Kiel provided 25 assists in the sweep. Faith Lutheran posted set scores of 25-16, 25-14, and 25-15.
The players
Faith Lutheran
This high school volleyball program has secured a 30-7 record this season.
Abby Bunyan
The player recorded 21 kills during the regional semifinal victory.
Bishop Gorman
The team holds a 31-6 season record and will face Faith Lutheran for the region title.
The details
Faith Lutheran utilized six different hitters to maintain offensive pressure after opening the first set with a 7-2 lead. The victory sets up a high-stakes final against Bishop Gorman, which defeated Coronado in four sets to reach the championship.
Timeline
The region semifinal match took place on Wednesday.
Faith Lutheran previously reached the state tournament in 2018.
The region final against Bishop Gorman is scheduled for Saturday.
The Class 5A state tournament takes place at UNR on Nov. 5-6.
Season Trajectory
This win positions Faith Lutheran to reclaim regional dominance after missing the state tournament since the 2018 Faith Lutheran state tournament qualification. The Crusaders now face a decisive matchup against Bishop Gorman to determine the top seed for the state bracket.
Faith Lutheran will enter the regional final with a 30-7 record, while Bishop Gorman advances with a 31-6 mark. The outcome of Saturday's match will determine the seeding for both teams in the state tournament.
The takeaway
The Crusaders victory highlights the effectiveness of a balanced six-hitter offensive rotation in high-stakes matches. Their return to state competition serves as a significant milestone for the program following their 2018 run.
What happens next
Faith Lutheran faces Bishop Gorman for the region title this Saturday. The winners of the regional tournament will proceed to the Class 5A state tournament held at UNR on Nov. 5-6.
Further reading
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