Falcons Nest - August 24th
FALCONS FALL SEASONS GET OFF TO A FAST START
Junior Varsity Volleyball:
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Match |
Trinity Academy | 22-25 | 15-25 | L |
Trinity of Durham and Chapel Hill | 17-25 | 18-25 | L |
Berean Baptist | 16-25 | 25-27 | L |
Village Christian Academy | 25-17 | 25-14 | W |
The Falcons JV team showcased their resilience and determination as they secured a sweet victory after facing a challenging streak of three consecutive losses. The team's perseverance paid off as they triumphed over adversity, highlighting their commitment to the sport and their growth as athletes.
With three losses against formidable opponents behind them, they continued to train by refining their skills and focusing on areas that needed improvement. The athletes’ communication on the court, strategic plays, and unwavering teamwork were instrumental in securing a well-deserved victory.
Christina Acker lit up the second set with a 7-serve run. Acker’s backrow passing also assisted Team Captain Lily Stanly to set up the hitters and make key plays. Stanly showed her leadership throughout each match even battling through an injury at Berean. Her 8-serve run in the second set against Village this week kept the momentum rolling to allow JV their first victory of the season.
As the team celebrates, they are already gearing up for their upcoming matches with renewed enthusiasm. The JV team is setting its sights on a promising future, armed with the valuable lessons learned from both triumphs and challenges alike.
Varsity Cross Country:
Varsity Cross Country is finishing Week 3 of our season which has been our training phase of our season. Our training has included long runs, easy runs, hills, sprints, performance room, team meetings/goal setting, team meals, and lots of running. The Home cross-country meet scheduled for Monday was canceled due to weather. We are looking forward to our first meet on Tuesday, at Trinity Academy. Go Falcons.
Varsity Volleyball:
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Match |
Trinity Academy | 8-25 | 11-25 | 13-25 | L | ||
Trinity of Durham and Chapel Hill | 25-21 | 25-16 | 25-18 | W | ||
Berean Baptist | 25-14 | 25-22 | 25-12 | W | ||
Village Christian | 13-25 | 21-25 | 17-25 | L |
The Varsity Volleyball team has kicked off their season with an impressive display of determination and skill, securing two wins out of their four opening matches. Starting their season with a tough matchup against the formidable Trinity Academy did not deter their spirits. They were able to “be a goldfish” and move on to the rest of their season with the frustrating outcome behind them.
In a stunning turnaround, the Falcons emerged victorious in their following two matches. The athletes exhibited a remarkable level of teamwork, communication, and strategic execution on the court, earning well-deserved wins against their next two competitors.
In the game against TSDCH, all 3 team captains came together to lead the team to victory. Michaela Stone was a force at the net with 9 kills, Elise Milligan led the way with 14 assists and Victoria York took control in our serve-receive game by controlling over 53% of all serves that game over the net. In the first away match of the season, the Falcons had a very strong presence at the net with Michaela Stone, Kennedi Hamner, and Ava Vonderkall all procuring a solo block.
Unfortunately, the Falcons encountered a setback in their fourth match, resulting in another loss. However, the team's resilience and ability to maintain their focus in the face of challenges remains a defining characteristic of their performance. The Falcon’s journey so far has showcased their resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead.
Varsity Boys Soccer:
The O'Neal Boys Varsity Soccer Team kicked off their season with a series of exhilarating matches this week, showcasing both their resilience and dominance on the field. The team's performance in their first three games provided fans with a rollercoaster of emotions as they experienced a heartbreaking loss, and two impressive conference victories.
In their first game of the season, the Falcons faced former conference opponents, Trinity Academy of Durham and Chapel Hill, in a highly anticipated home match. The Falcons displayed their skill and determination, taking a promising 4-3 lead in the late stages of the game. However, fate had other plans, as Trinity managed to claw their way back, capitalizing on a penalty kick with a mere 3.5 seconds left on the clock, leveling the score at 4-4. The game eventually went into a nail-biting second overtime, where Trinity secured victory with a golden goal. The Falcons exhibited commendable teamwork and effort, despite the loss, setting the stage for what was to come.
The second game of the week marked the beginning of conference play for the Falcons, who faced off against Berean Baptist on the road. The team seemed to have harnessed their disappointment from the previous game, channeling it into an impressive and commanding performance. The Falcons soared high, securing a dominant 7-0 victory against their opponents. This resounding win not only showcased their skill and unity but also demonstrated their ability to bounce back from setbacks.
Returning to their home turf, the Falcons faced Village Christian Academy in their third game of the week. Once again, the Falcons displayed their prowess on the field, delivering a dominating performance that resulted in a convincing 5-0 victory. The team's defense remained solid, denying the opponents any chance of scoring, while their offense continued to shine brightly.
As the Falcons reflect on their first three games of the season, they find themselves with a 2-1 overall record and a 2-0 record in conference play. Their journey has been a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and unyielding spirit. While they suffered a heart-wrenching defeat in their opening game, they quickly turned the tide, showcasing their potential in subsequent matches. With each game, the Falcons are proving their determination to reach new heights and make their mark on the season. The O'Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer Team's next challenge awaits Friday, August 25, on home turf at 4:00 PM to face Northwood Temple.
Varsity Girls Golf:
The O’Neal Girls Golf team has begun preparing for the defense of their 2022 State Championship. Tryouts are complete and our preseason practices are in the history books. The regular season is on the way.
Seniors Lauren Kuhn and Audrey Kim were named Captains for this year. Both have been exemplary student-athletes, and teammates and continually put the team before themselves. The coaches appreciate all they do. Two more members of the State Championship team, Sophomores Rachel Joyce and Sofi Afable are returning for 2022, after very impactful freshman seasons and will be pushing the team to be our best. In addition to our returners, we are very fortunate to have a wave of very strong new players on the 2023 team, which gives us both depth and youth to continue our winning tradition. Welcome to all new Falcon Golfers… Kayleigh Goins, Livi Afable, Charlotte Schroen, Natalia Henderson, Fiona Surber and Julia Gomez.
Varsity Girls Tennis:
We have a robust Girls Varsity Tennis Roster this year and we are looking forward to an exciting season on the courts! The team opened their season last Friday, August 18, with an away match against Trinity of Durham and Chapel Hill. Trinity of Durham and Chapel Hill are reigning state champions, but the Falcons held their own with a singles win – congratulations to Sydney Davis – and two singles courts ahead when time was called – congratulations to Mia Franco and Ava Taylor Walker.
Falcons Sports Next Week (8/28-8/31):
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
MON | 8/28/2023 | Fayetteville Christian | MS BSOC | HOME | 3:30 PM |
MON | 8/28/2023 | Fayetteville Christian | MS VB | HOME | 3:30 PM |
MON | 8/28/2023 | Lee Christian Meet | MSXC | AWAY | 4:00 PM/4:30 PM |
MON | 8/28/2023 | Westchester Country Day School at Willow Creek | GTN | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
TUE | 8/29/2023 | Fayetteville Christian* | BSOC | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
TUE | 8/29/2023 | Fayetteville Christian* | JV VB | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
TUE | 8/29/2023 | Fayetteville Christian* | VB | AWAY | 5:15 PM |
TUE | 8/29/2023 | Freedom Christian | MS VB | HOME | 3:30 PM |
TUE | 8/29/2023 | Freedom Christian Academy | MS BSOC | HOME | 3:30 PM |
TUE | 8/29/2023 | Trinity Academy | XC | AWAY | 6:00 PM |
THU | 8/31/2023 | Fayetteville Academy | GTN | HOME | 3:30 PM |
THU | 8/31/2023 | Fayetteville Academy | BSOC | HOME | 4:00 PM |
THU | 8/31/2023 | Fayetteville Academy | JV VB | HOME | 4:00 PM |
THU | 8/31/2023 | Fayetteville Academy | VB | HOME | 5:15 PM |
THU | 8/31/2023 | Forsyth Country Day Invitational | Girls Golf | AWAY | TBD |
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