Asheville Christian Academy sweeps Owen in 'Battle for the Valley'

Lions clinch series home match, 3-1, over Warlassies

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 9, 2026

A two-game regular season volleyball series between a pair of neighboring local schools ended, Oct. 8, with a sweep, as Asheville Christian Academy defeated Owen, 3-1.

The second match of “The Battle for the Valley,” which followed a September showdown hosted by the Warlassies, took place in Swannanoa.

The Lions entered the match as winners of the previous two meetings of the programs, which faced off once in 2025. Owen came into the contest with a 15-4 record, overall, and in first place in the Western Highlands Conference with a 10-1 mark. ACA improved stepped onto its home court at 14-6, including a 4-0 mark in the NCISAA Carolina Athletic Conference.

The Lions jumped to an early 11-6 lead in the opening set, before the Warlassies stormed back to tie the score, 16-16. Led by senior outside hitter Reece Shuman, junior middle hitter Olivia Johnson and senior setter Mallory Corbett, ACA reestablished a 4-point advantage later in the frame. The teams were knotted, 22-22, before the home teams reeled off 3 straight, prevailing, 25-22.

The Lions were in control throughout the second set, cruising to a 25-13 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match. Owen, led by seniors Mia Roland, Ava Grant, Kenzie Robinson and Adeline West, led by as many as 6 points in the third set, before narrowly escaping a late comeback attempt with a 26-24 win.

The teams battled early in the decisive fourth set, trading leads until ACA moved ahead, 15-14. The Lions scored 8 straight to close out the match with a 25-19 performance.

With three games remaining on their regular schedule, the 15-6 Lions will return home at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 12, to host Rabun Gape-Naccoochee. Owen, tied with Hendersonville atop the WHC, will close out its regular season at home, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Photos of the match between Owen and ACA can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.