Falcons Nest - Sept. 22nd
Falcons female golfers set standard for surging fall sports teams!
Varsity Girls Golf
The O’Neal Lady Falcons added an impressive set of hardware to their trophy case in Lillington NC. On Wednesday, September 20th winning the North State Girl’s High School Challenge. The field included 23 strong teams from around North Carolina and was hosted at Keith Hills Golf Course. O’Neal played against some of the best high school golf teams in North Carolina which included last year's defending champions, Durham Academy as well as local opponents, Pinecrest High School. The O'Neal School ended up winning by a four shot margin. In addition to being crowned the overall team Champions, O’Neal also secured the Individual Medalist with Sophomore, Rachel Joyce, winning by 3 shots.
Joyce pushed O'Neal to victory with an impressive -4, 67 (par 71) to stamp a personal best in her high school career. Making six birdies and capitalizing on her length off the tee, Joyce was able to put the team in a good position for a strong finish. Joyce was accompanied by some fine scores by the rest of the team, too. The tournament hosted teams of four players and of the four players, the best three scores counted. Partnering Joyce is classmate, Sofi Afable, who continues an impressive Fall Season. Afable shot 77 as O'Neal's second score. Senior, Co-Captain, Lauren Kuhn and Natalia Henderson from the class of 2029, both 78, as the team clinched Wednesday's tournament with a score of 222.
The tournament in it's 10th year and was hosted by the Tarheel Youth Golf Association and the Peggy Kirk Bell Tour. It is open to any NC High School Girls' Golf Teams. Scores made at this tournament help girls across the state to qualify for their State Championships. With 16 teams on the waitlist, it has continued to grow in competition and fosters a great environment for Girls' Golf and growing the game. Congratulations to all participants!
The O’Neal Girls’ Golf Team then continued their impressive season in a match against Cary Academy on Thursday at Prestonwood CC. Co-captains, Kim and Kuhn have been uniting this team since day 1. As we approach the halfway point, the team is growing stronger and the on-course results are just the beginning. It was hard to miss the Sophomores as they walked in step with each other after Thursday’s match, with Joyce firing a 70 and Afable a 77. Kayleigh Goins stamped an impressive 35 on the front 9 to finish with a 79. Great work Falcons!
Photos by Wendy Hodges
The O’Neal Girls’ Golf Team then continued their impressive season in a match against Cary Academy on Thursday at Prestonwood CC. Co-captains, Kim and Kuhn have been uniting this team since day 1. As we approach the halfway point, the team is growing stronger and the on-course results are just the beginning. It was hard to miss the Sophomores as they walked in step with each other after Thursday’s match, with Joyce firing a 70 and Afable a 77. Kayleigh Goins stamped an impressive 35 on the front 9 to finish with a 79. Great work Falcons!
Middle School Volleyball
Opponent: | Scores: |
Northwood Temple | 25-19, 19-25, 25-9, 25-11 (win) |
Berean Baptist | 25-12, 25-16, 25-15 (win) |
Fayetteville Christian | 16-25, 25-15, 18-25, 22-25 (loss) |
This was a great week for O’Neal volleyball! There were two decisive wins at home against Northwood Temple and Berean Baptist. As a team, they served 89% and 90% respectively. The team fought to find and keep their momentum and have been playing great as a team. On Thursday, they lost a well-played game on the road against Fayetteville Christian. The team was missing an impact player, however, it adjusted the lineup and every player stepped up to fill in, whether it be in a different position, playing additional sets, or bringing more energy and enthusiasm to the court. The Lady Falcons served 94% as a team, had many great saves and rallies, played aggressively at the net, had a mighty stuff block, and didn’t back down even when they were behind. Everyone is looking forward to another great week of O’Neal volleyball!
Overall Record: 7-2
JV Volleyball
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Match |
Village Christian Academy | 16-25 | 25-16 | 15-10 | W |
Fayetteville Academy | 25-14 | 25-11 | W |
After a few recent challenges to the season, the O'Neal Falcons Junior Varsity (JV) Volleyball team has made an impressive comeback this week, winning their last two matches. One of the key factors in their recent success has been a noticeable improvement in communication among the team members. This dedication has paid off, as the Falcons have been displaying better coordination and a deeper understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses.
In their match against Village Christian Academy, the Falcons were able to display their trust in each other. After losing the first set, the team recognized what needed to change, and then provided powerhouse performances in the second and third sets. Team captain, Lily Stanly, had an incredible 8-serve run in the second set that was crucial to the Falcons' performance. Taylor Krauss and Dahlia James with their difficult-to-defend serves each had 4-serve runs in the final set to seal the team’s victory.
In their Fayetteville Academy match, the Falcons were the more experienced squad. They did not, however, reduce their gameplay to a lower skill level. They went out and performed like they would against the most formidable opponent and clinched the win in two quick sets. Christina Acker and Amara Baker had excellent defensive performances while Riley Lefler continued to be a voice on the court and call for outside attacks. The Falcons look forward to finishing off the regular season in the next few weeks with this momentum and teamwork.
Varsity Volleyball
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Match |
Village Christian | 18-25 | 22-25 | 25-20 | 25-23 | 16-14 | W |
Northwood Temple | 14-25 | 14-25 | 9-25 | L | ||
Fayetteville Academy | 25-19 | 25-13 | 13-25 | 17-25 | 15-3 | W |
On Friday, the O'Neal Varsity volleyball team delivered a stunning performance, showcasing their remarkable teamwork and unyielding determination in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Village Christian. Facing an initial 2-0 set deficit, the team rallied together, summoning an extraordinary burst of energy that left their opponents in awe. With unwavering focus and unrelenting effort, they clawed their way back into the match, demonstrating their resilience and grit. Their collective spirit and indomitable will culminated in an unforgettable comeback, as they claimed the final three sets and secured a triumphant victory.
Despite facing a challenging matchup, the O'Neal Varsity Volleyball team demonstrated their adaptability in the contest against Northwood Temple, ultimately falling short with a 3-0 score line. The team faced adversity with injuries affecting their lineup, necessitating strategic adjustments and players stepping into unfamiliar positions. Despite the setback, the team showcased their determination and willingness to adapt, having key players stepping up into new roles and bringing new energy. This team will continue to face the season's challenges head-on and learn from each outcome to help prepare them for the next.
In a non-conference showdown, the O'Neal Varsity Volleyball team emerged victorious in a hard-fought five-set battle against Fayetteville Academy. After securing the first two sets, the team faced a formidable challenge as they temporarily let off the gas and conceded the following two sets. However, their unwavering spirit and competitive fire shone through as they stormed back in the decisive fifth set, dominating with a commanding 15-3 win. This impressive comeback showcased the team's ability to regroup, adapt, and finish strong!
Overall Record: 6-5 Conference Record: 4-4
Middle School Boys Soccer
Falcons Win – O'Neal hosted Northwood Temple on Monday, trying out a new defensive strategy aimed at neutralizing our opponent's most dangerous player. The boys implemented it to perfection, preventing Northwood from generating any dangerous attacks and maintaining control of the game throughout.
Falcons Win – O'Neal hosted Berean Baptist Academy on Tuesday. Three early goals put the game out of reach and the team's substitutes maintained high pressure and preserved the lead in the second half. It was a great team effort and primed us for next week when we will take on the #2 team in the league, Village Christian.
Falcons Lose – O'Neal traveled to Fayetteville Christian to take on the undefeated warriors. It was a tough game from the starting whistle, but the boys played hard throughout. We appreciated their toughness and their ability to face the many challenges that came up in the game.
Varsity Boys Soccer
The O'Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer Team showcased their continued impressive form in recent conference matches, securing two crucial victories. With an effective 4-0 win against Village Christian Academy and a nail-biter victory against Northwood Temple, the Falcons continue to soar, now boasting an impressive 6-0 record in the conference. The Falcons continued their recent winning streak with a solid 4-0 triumph over Village Christian Academy.
The midfield trio orchestrated plays with precision, while the forward line displayed impeccable finishing skills. The Falcons found the back of the net twice in each half. The performance not only secured the win but also showcased the team's depth and versatility. Coach Kegl commented on the match, saying, "Our boys executed the game plan flawlessly. It was a true team effort, and they deserved every bit of that victory."
Following their win against Village, the Falcons faced a tough challenge in the form of Northwood Temple. In the thrilling encounter, the Falcons wasted no time, scoring a goal within the first minute of the game. However, despite their early lead, they faced a formidable opponent who held them at bay until late in the match when the Falcons found the net once more to take a 2-0 lead. While Northwood Temple did manage to score late in the game, it proved to be a consolation goal and O’Neal held on for the victory.
With these two conference wins, the O'Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer Team's record now stands at 6-0 in the conference. The next game is on Friday, September 22 at 4:30 PM, and will be played on home turf against Fayetteville Christian.
Varsity Girls Tennis
The O’Neal School continued its impressive fall with back-to-back wins. On Friday, September 15, the Lady Falcons won against Village Christian School 8-1 on the road. Another full sweep for singles for Charlie Bunder, Brooke Greenblatt, Ava Simmons, Mia Franco, Sydney Davis, and Rachel Wolff. Wolff and Hannah Claire Nesbitt also won their doubles match.
The Falcons followed their win on Friday with a very competitive away match against Harrells Christian Academy on Thursday, September 21, bringing home a narrow 5-4 win. Charlie Bunder, Brooke Greenblatt, and Mia Franco won singles followed by doubles victories by Bunder/Greenblatt and a very narrow tiebreak win by Ava Simmons/Mia Franco.
Looking ahead The Falcons travel to Grace Christian of Raleigh today, Friday, September 22 and then host two HOME matches next week Tuesday, September 26 against Fayetteville Academy and Friday, September 29 against Carolina Friends School. Come out and support our Lady Falcons as they look to continue their winning streak!
Middle School Cross Country
After a strong training week, O’Neal’s middle school cross country team will return to competitive action with a meet at Haw River Academy.
Varsity Cross Country
Varsity Cross Country (XC) enjoyed competing back on the trails after returning from O’Neal’s annual fall Class Trips. The Falcon Runners attended the Adidas Invitational at Wake Med Soccer Park last Saturday. This meet is also a sneak peek at their final meet of the season as The NCISAA State Championship will be held at Wake Med.
The Adidas Invitational provided a HUGE competitive field (127 schools) with an amazing racing environment. The course was hilly, hilly, and challenging…….the finish line was at the top of a 600-meter hill. BUT that finish hill did not scare or slow the Falcon runners down.
The following runners excelled – Gunnar Adams, Aidan Blackwell, Kaylee Crow, Honor Hicks, Lauren Hobbs, Charlie Kuzma, Clayton Manning, Charlotte Mills, Chris O’Melia, Sam Schmitz, Elizabeth Shank, Grace Simpson, Ava Taylor Walker – each had season-best times. In addition, Eli Caviness had a personal best time and Grace Simpson placed 15th. It was a strong performance from The O’Neal School’s runners.
Our Varsity XC team travels to McApline Park in Matthews, NC to race in the Hare and Hound Invitational on Saturday (9/23). Then, next week we will race in our first conference Meet hosted by Berean at Carvers Creek in Fayetteville. WE anticipate further improvement from our runners and can’t wait for the upcoming conference competition.
Varsity XC INVITES all 4th – 8th grade students to the XC Clinic on Saturday, Sept 30. The clinic will focus on running fundamentals: drills, form, games, and a race. Click Here to Register
Photos by Wendy Hodges
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | TIME |
SAT | 9/23/2023 | Hare and Hound - McAlpine Park | XC | AWAY | TBD |
MON | 9/25/2023 | Freedom Christian* | JV VB | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
MON | 9/25/2023 | Freedom Christian* | VB | AWAY | 5:15 PM |
TUE | 9/26/2023 | Grace Christian School (Raleigh) - Tentative | GTN | AWAY | 3:30 PM |
TUE | 9/26/2023 | Freedom Christian | MS BSOC | HOME | 3:30 PM |
TUE | 9/26/2023 | Freedom Christian* | BSOC | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
TUE | 9/26/2023 | HV3 Girl's High School Invitational - Gaston CC | Girls Golf | AWAY | 2:00 PM |
WED | 9/27/2023 | Fayetteville Christian* | BSOC | HOME | 4:00 PM |
WED | 9/27/2023 | Fayetteville Christian* | JV VB | HOME | 4:00 PM |
WED | 9/27/2023 | Fayetteville Christian* | VB | HOME | 5:15 PM |
WED | 9/27/2023 | Providence Day School | Girls Golf | HOME | 1:00 PM |
WED | 9/27/2023 | Village Christian | MS VB | AWAY | 3:30 PM |
WED | 9/27/2023 | Village Christian | MS BSOC | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
THU | 9/28/2023 | Berean Baptist Academy | XC | AWAY | TBD |
THU | 9/28/2023 | Fayetteville Academy | MS BSOC | HOME | 3:30 PM |
THU | 9/28/2023 | Fayetteville Academy | MS VB | HOME | 3:30 PM |
THU | 9/28/2023 | Haw River Academy – Pittsboro | MSXC | AWAY | TBD |
THU | 9/28/2023 | Trinity Christian* | VB | AWAY | 4:30 PM |
FRI | 9/29/2023 | Carolina Friends School | GTN | HOME | 3:30 PM |
FRI | 9/29/2023 | Fayetteville Christian | BSOC | AWAY | 7:00 PM |
SAT | 9/30/2023 | Fall Sports Clinics | GTN | HOME | 9am-11am |
The O'Neal School
The O'Neal School admits students of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
© The O'Neal School