Warlassies hit their stride with fifth straight victory
Owen Tops Mitchell, 3-0, in Western Highlands Conference contest
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 3, 2026
A winning streak that began at home continued, Sept. 3, when Owen hosted Mitchell in a Western Highlands Conference match.
The Warlassies collected their fifth straight victory, defeating the Mountaineers, 3-0.
Owen set the tone early, establishing a lead in the first set on its way to a 25-20 win to open the match. The Warlassies never trailed in the second set, as they extended their lead with a 25-17 performance.
Mitchell led by as many as 5 points in the final set, building a 14-9 lead, before Owen charged back to tie the score, 20-20. The Warlassies maintained the momentum to clinch the victory with a 25-23 showing in the final set.
Owen improved to 7-2, extending a winning streak that began, Aug. 25, with a 3-2 win at home over Reynolds. The Warlassies followed that victory with three consecutive wins on the road, defeating Polk, Avery and Erwin by a combined score of 9-1.
“We still have a few challenges, but the chemistry of the core eight players is just different,” said head coach Nikki Hinson. “The way they communicate and trust each other makes a huge difference. The bond and chemistry with this group has always been a strength.”
The Warlassies opened the season with two straight victories, before falling to 2-2, following an injury to team captain Mia Roland. While the middle hitter, outside hitter and defensive specialist returned after two games, the team is continuing to hone its timing and rhythm.
“They’ve been playing through it and adjusting, but things felt a little different early on,” said Hinson, who coached the program to a WHC championship last season. “I think we’re finally settling in, because they realize the potential of this team.”
Led by an experienced roster that includes seniors Roland, Adeline West, Kenzie Robinson, Ava Grant, Avery Boone and Payten Brockman, Owen sits atop the conference with a 3-0 mark. The team was tested by the Mountaineers, according to the coach.
“We had to adjust in ways I was not anticipating,” Hinson said. “Mitchell has a solid team with good blockers and strong hitters. At first, I think that caught some of our girls off-guard, but we adjusted and I think we needed that.”
The Warlassies will return home at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, when they host Hendersonville in another WHC matchup.
“Hendersonville has some solid players, who we saw last year,” Hinson said. “We’ll have to come in, work together and do little things, like we did today. We have to find areas to place the ball and be mentally prepared for a tough match.”
Photos of the Warlassies’ 3-0 victory over Mitchell can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.