Falcons Nest - Oct 16
10/16/26 Varsity Falcons Wrap Up Conference Play
Varsity Girls Tennis
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Christian School: 7-2, Win
The O’Neal Lady Falcons Varsity Tennis team had an incredible week. The Falcons opened the Conference Tournament with a win over Fayetteville Christian School. Beth Cordero battled back to win a third-set tiebreaker, while Izzy Grotzke and Olivia Hostler rallied from a 3–6 deficit to take their doubles match 9–7 and earn Players of the Match honors!
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Academy: 1-8, Loss
The Lady Falcons then faced Fayetteville Academy in the Conference Final. Three competitive doubles matches included an 8–4 win at Line 2 for Grotzke and Valentina Roberts. In singles, Kennedy Aytes battled through three sets and two tiebreakers, coming just short of a win while showing composure and determination in front of a big crowd.
The Lady Falcons finished as Conference Runners-Up, with Vivienne Rhue and Valentina Roberts earning All-Conference honors. The team now focuses their efforts to state playoffs starting next week.
The O’Neal Lady Falcons Varsity Tennis team had an incredible week. The Falcons opened the Conference Tournament with a win over Fayetteville Christian School. Beth Cordero battled back to win a third-set tiebreaker, while Izzy Grotzke and Olivia Hostler rallied from a 3–6 deficit to take their doubles match 9–7 and earn Players of the Match honors!
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Academy: 1-8, Loss
The Lady Falcons then faced Fayetteville Academy in the Conference Final. Three competitive doubles matches included an 8–4 win at Line 2 for Grotzke and Valentina Roberts. In singles, Kennedy Aytes battled through three sets and two tiebreakers, coming just short of a win while showing composure and determination in front of a big crowd.
The Lady Falcons finished as Conference Runners-Up, with Vivienne Rhue and Valentina Roberts earning All-Conference honors. The team now focuses their efforts to state playoffs starting next week.
Varsity Girls Golf
The O'Neal varsity girls golf team capped off their conference season with an impressive showing at their first-ever 18-hole tournament—a true test of skill, endurance, and mental toughness.
The Falcons finished 4th overall as a team, highlighted by stellar performances from two All-Conference honorees: Charlie Higashi, who earned 3rd place, and Maddie Leland, who finished 6th.
Reflecting a season defined by steady improvement from top to bottom, the team now looks forward to capping off their regular season with an invited 9-hole match next week at Mid South Golf Club. Congratulations to the team on a great conference run!
The O'Neal varsity girls golf team capped off their conference season with an impressive showing at their first-ever 18-hole tournament—a true test of skill, endurance, and mental toughness.
The Falcons finished 4th overall as a team, highlighted by stellar performances from two All-Conference honorees: Charlie Higashi, who earned 3rd place, and Maddie Leland, who finished 6th.
Reflecting a season defined by steady improvement from top to bottom, the team now looks forward to capping off their regular season with an invited 9-hole match next week at Mid South Golf Club. Congratulations to the team on a great conference run!
Varsity Volleyball
O'Neal vs. Village Christian Academy: 0-3, Loss
The Falcons’ season continued at Village Christian on Monday, October 12, where O’Neal fell in three sets, 8-25, 9-25, 14-25, in the opening round of the conference tournament. Village has been one of the strongest teams on the schedule all year, and they set a tempo early in the first two sets that O’Neal was unable to answer. The Falcons found better footing in the third, stringing together longer rallies and putting more pressure on the Village defense before the hosts closed it out.
O'Neal vs. Village Christian Academy: 0-3, Loss
The Falcons’ season continued at Village Christian on Monday, October 12, where O’Neal fell in three sets, 8-25, 9-25, 14-25, in the opening round of the conference tournament. Village has been one of the strongest teams on the schedule all year, and they set a tempo early in the first two sets that O’Neal was unable to answer. The Falcons found better footing in the third, stringing together longer rallies and putting more pressure on the Village defense before the hosts closed it out.
Eliza Gomlak led the attack with 6 kills on a team-high 22 swings, taking on a heavy share of the offense all afternoon. Lily Austin added 6 kills of her own on 18 attempts, hitting .111, and ripped off a seven-point service run in the third set. In the back row, Myer Johnson turned in an outstanding defensive performance with 14 digs and 28 serve-receive attempts, keeping the Falcons alive on rally after rally. O’Neal now turns its attention to postseason play, with Round 1 of the NCISAA 1A State Tournament coming up — opponent, date, and time to be announced.
Varsity Boys Soccer
O’Neal vs Northwood Temple: 0-8, Loss
The O’Neal School Boys Varsity Soccer team closed out its regular season against Northwood Temple Academy in the completion of a match that had been suspended earlier in the season due to torrential rain and an unplayable field.
The Falcons resumed the match already trailing 1-0, with approximately 20 minutes remaining in the first half. Unfortunately for O’Neal, Northwood Temple quickly took control and never allowed the Falcons to find their footing.
The Eagles capitalized on their opportunities throughout the match, handing O’Neal a defeat to close the regular season. It was a difficult ending, but the Falcons now have an opportunity to put the regular season behind them. Everything resets as O’Neal turns its attention to the NCISAA State Playoffs.
The Falcons will open postseason play in the first round on Tuesday, with their opponent, game time and venue still to be determined.
O’Neal vs Northwood Temple: 0-8, Loss
The O’Neal School Boys Varsity Soccer team closed out its regular season against Northwood Temple Academy in the completion of a match that had been suspended earlier in the season due to torrential rain and an unplayable field.
The Falcons resumed the match already trailing 1-0, with approximately 20 minutes remaining in the first half. Unfortunately for O’Neal, Northwood Temple quickly took control and never allowed the Falcons to find their footing.
The Eagles capitalized on their opportunities throughout the match, handing O’Neal a defeat to close the regular season. It was a difficult ending, but the Falcons now have an opportunity to put the regular season behind them. Everything resets as O’Neal turns its attention to the NCISAA State Playoffs.
The Falcons will open postseason play in the first round on Tuesday, with their opponent, game time and venue still to be determined.
Photos by Wendy Hodges | The Pines Media
For high res files, email Director of Communications Kathy Taylor
Falcon Athletics Next Week 10/19/2026 - 10/23/2026
NCISAA Playoff Play will be announced 10/17/26, and it is a win to continue
NCISAA Playoff Play will be announced 10/17/26, and it is a win to continue
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
MON | 10/19/2026 | Tennis Youth Sports Clinic | GTN | Home | 3:30-5pm |
TUE | 10/20/2026 | Sandhills Classical Christian, Highlanders @Mid-South | GGOLF | Away | 2:00pm |
MON | 10/19/2026 | Conference Championship | MSXC | Home | 3:30/4:00 |
MON | 10/19/2026 | Conference Championship | XC | Home | 4:50/5:30 |
TUE | 10/20/2026 | NCISAA State Playoff Round 1 | BSOC | TBD | |
TUE | 10/20/2026 | NCISAA State Playoff Round 1 | VB | TBD | |
FRI | 10/23/2026 | NCISAA State Playoff Round 2 | BSOC | TBD | |
FRI | 10/23/2026 | NCISAA State Playoff Round 2 | VB | TBD | |
FRI | 10/23/2026 | State Quarter Finals | GTN | TBD |
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