Warlassies reward seniors with 3-0 victory in regular season home finale
Owen improves to 19-1 with one match to go in win over North Buncombe
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 13, 2025
A pair of Owen seniors took center stage, Oct. 13, as the Warlassies hosted North Buncombe on Senior Night.
The home team honored middle hitters Gracyn Farish and Easton Whitson before the match, and rewarded the duo with a 3-0 victory in their final regular season home contest, as Owen improved to 19-1.
Nearing the end of what is likely to be the best season in program history, the Warlassies opened the match with a 25-13 showing in the opening set. They secured the second set, 25-18, before closing out the night with a 25-15 performance.
Owen, which clinched a Western Highlands Conference title with the win, has won nine consecutive matches since Sept. 17.
Being part of the historic regular season run has been a special experience for Whitson and Farish, who were both happy to celebrate the the night with a victory.
“It just means a little more, because there were people who were here for this specific night, which was a great feeling,” Whitson said. “But, it was still a really strong team effort.”
Farish reflected on the moment before in the closing minutes of the third set.
“On my last serve, I looked around and thought I wouldn’t be back here again, except for playoffs,” she said. “So, even though I’m excited about having that chance in the playoffs, I really wanted to take it all in tonight.”
Whitson, a four-year member of the varsity volleyball program, credited her teammates with making this season the best of her career.
“It’s so fun, and all of us connect so well together,” she said. “We’re all good friends, on and off the court, so there’s a real connection. It’s great just to be a part of it.”
The Warlassies opened the campaign with a 10-game winning streak before their sole loss to Asheville Christian Academy. The team regrouped and has only dropped five sets in their last nine matches.
“Knowing my last season here is the best one makes it really special,” Farish said. “In the past, the amount of students and fans here wasn’t what we’ve been seeing this year, so having all that support just makes it so much better.”
Owen head coach Nikki Hinson praised both seniors for their dedication to the program.
“I’ve known them since they were around 5, and they’re two players we are really going to miss,” she said. “They have amazing personalities and they work really hard.”
Both players have taken their performances to the next level this season, according to the coach.
“Gracyn has always been a strong player, but she has improved so much this year, and Easton did as well,” Hinson said. “They have both been stronger and more consistent this season, and they’re obviously a big part of the success we’ve been able to have up to this point.”
Owen will finish the regular season on the road, Tuesday, Oct. 14, when the team travels to Mountain Heritage.
“We have to focus on our next match, but then we have a really big goal to go to the state championship,” Whitson said.
Postseason success will require to the Warlassies to continue playing their style of volleyball, according to Farish.
“We have to work together as a team, practice hard and keep having fun,” she said. “We all love being out there together, so we just want to enjoy this as long as possible.”
Photos of Owen Senior Night can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.