Falcons Weekly Recap
FALCONS ARE IN FLIGHT THIS FALL!
Varsity Girls Tennis:
O’Neal vs Westchester Country Day School: Final 9-0, W
After a very hot and wet start to the season, the Lady Falcons scored two shut-out wins in their first two matches of the season. On Friday August 16, the team traveled to High Point where senior team captains Charli Bunder and Ava-Taylor Walker lead the team to a 9-0 victory over West Chester. Sydney Davis, Hannah Clair Nesbit, Valentina Roberts and Harper Kate Harless also contributed singles wins. Elizabeth Cordero and Vivian Rhue scored a doubles win.
O’Neal vs Village Christian Academy: Final 9-0, W
On Tuesday August 20, the team secured another 9-0 success in a home match against Village Christian Academy. Charli Bunder, Ava-Taylor Walker, Sydney Davis, Hannah Claire Nesbit, Natalia Henderson and Harper Kate Harless contributed singles wins. Vivian Rhue, Valentina Roberts and Elizabeth Cordero stepped into the line up to add doubles wins.
Next week, the team will host two home matches on Tuesday August 27 against Fayetteville Christian School and Thursday August 29 against Carolina Friends. This year's team has displayed great depth in the line up as the players work each day to establish their spot in the lineup.
Varsity Volleyball:
The O'Neal School Varsity girls volleyball team secured a thrilling victory on the road against Westchester Country Day in a 5-set match. After a dominant 25-15 win in the first set, the Falcons faced adversity, dropping the next two sets. However, the team’s relentless energy and competitive spirit fueled a comeback, winning the 4th and 5th sets to clinch the match. The game showcased the Falcons' ability to come together, maintain positivity, and their pure love for the game. The team looks forward to building on this momentum.
On Tuesday the O'Neal varsity volleyball team hosted Village Christian for their first faceoff with the Knights this season, battling through three close sets but ultimately falling just short, with each set decided by a margin of four points or less. Despite the loss, the game highlighted the importance of finishing strong and staying focused on team goals. Moving forward, the Falcons will emphasize improving serve receive, enhancing communication, and building trust among teammates to set up their offense more effectively. The team is determined to learn from this experience and come back stronger in future matches.
Varsity Cross Country:
The Varsity Cross Country team opened their competition season by inviting the Fayetteville Christian Warriors to the Falcon's nest for a home meet. It was a perfect way to start the season.
The Falcons prepared for this meet through several early-morning workouts over the summer months, beating the heat and getting in their run together at 7AM. Once school started, they transitioned to late afternoon practices, acclimating their bodies to training in the heat of the day, which is no easy feat.
Hosting the first meet of the season was a great confidence boost for the team, knowing the course like the back of their hand lends itself to the home field advantage. The runners each ran a solid race and had a great kick in momentum at the end of the course to show off for friends and family cheering.
Overall, the Cross-Country team did a great job knocking off all the racing cobwebs and set themselves up for a phenomenal season.
Varsity Boys Soccer:
O’Neal vs Westchester Country Day: Final 0-7, L
The O’Neal School Boys Varsity Soccer Team faced a demanding week, with two games that tested the young squad’s resilience and determination.
In their first match, a non-conference away game against the Westchester Wildcats, the Falcons struggled to find their footing. The long trip, combined with a depleted roster, posed significant challenges for the team. Despite their best efforts, the Falcons found themselves down 4-0 at halftime as they continued to adapt to a new system. The second half saw two key players sidelined with injuries, leaving O'Neal with just one substitute. The Wildcats took advantage of their experience, adding three more goals, resulting in a 7-0 loss for the Falcons.
O’Neal vs Village Christian Academy: Final 1-0, W
However, the Falcons showed remarkable resolve in their second game against conference rivals, the Village Christian Knights. The match was a hard-fought battle from the outset, with the Falcons dominating the first 30 minutes, creating several scoring opportunities. As the first half drew to a close, the Knights increased their pressure, nearly breaking the deadlock just before halftime.
In the second half, the Falcons continued to push for a goal but were met with a strong defensive effort from the Knights. Both teams had chances to score as the game neared its conclusion, but regulation time ended in a 0-0 stalemate, leading to golden goal extra time.
In the first period of extra time, the Falcons showed their determination to secure the win. A breakthrough came when Travis Doody was fouled inside the penalty area, earning a penalty kick. Stepping up with confidence, Travis blasted the ball into the back of the net, sealing a 1-0 victory for the Falcons.
The team’s next challenge will be an away game against conference opponent Northwood Temple on Friday, August 23rd, at 5 PM. The Falcons will look to build on their recent success as they continue to grow and develop as a team.
Contributed.
Photo by Wendy Hodges
