Warlassies open playoffs with home win

Owen advances to second round with 3-1 victory over Community School of Davidson

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 23, 2021

The Owen Warlassies needed four sets, Oct. 23, to open the NCHSAA 2A State Playoffs with a victory, and earn their first postseason win in at least 13 years.

The 11th seeded Warlassies hosted 22nd ranked Community School of Davidson for a Saturday afternoon showdown.

Owen entered the contest 10-10, finishing third in the Western Highlands Conference behind Rosman and Draughn. The Warlassies were the top 2A team in their split conference, earning a spot in the postseason tournament.

The visiting Spartans entered the contest with an 8-12 regular season record and a fourth place finish in the Catawba Shores Athletic 1A/2A Conference.

Owen scored the first point of the opening set, and maintained its lead until an errant serve gave CSD a 15-14 lead. The Spartans would extend their lead before the Warlassies rallied back to pull within a point, 24-23. The visiting team took the first set after a controversial non-call that appeared to result in the Spartans hitting the ball four times on the final play.

The Warlassies stormed back in the second set, jumping out to a 4-0 lead before CSD called a timeout. Owen went on to extend its lead to 6-0, and cruised to a 25-12 victory to tie the game.

Owen took an early lead in the third set, but CSD pulled to within 1 point before junior Maesyn Gardner spiked the ball into the back corner for the 25-23 win. The Warlassies closed it out with a 25-17 victory in the fourth set., with strong performances from junior Addison Bartlett and senior Bailee Worley.

Owen either failed to qualify for the playoffs or exited in the first round each season since 2007, but found postseason success under first-year head coach Kristy Kamer. The Warlassies will face the winner of the Oct. 23 match between no. 6 Mount Pleasant and no. 17 Walkertown.

A gallery of photos from the Warlassies’ playoff victory over Community School of Davidson can be found at the top of the page.