Falcons Nest - Sept. 29th
Falcons cross the mid-point for the fall sports season.
Varsity Girls Golf
It was a historic week for the Girls Golf team as they were invited to play in the Inaugural HV3 Girls Golf Challenge at Gaston Country Club.
After the long drive, the team finished with an impressive second-place finish, just two strokes out from first. There were fifteen teams from all over North and South Carolina as well as a large number of individual players entered. A special thanks to professional golfer Harold Varner III and his foundation for sponsoring all of the costs for this great event.
It was a challenging day as the course was hilly and the day windy. Despite that, the Falcons impressed. Sophomores Rachel Joyce and Sofi Afable finished with a 72 and 74 respectively and made the 1st All-Tournament Team.
The always reliable Senior Co-Captain duo of Audrey Kim and Lauren Kuhn finished with top 25 finishes and Junior Kayleigh Goins continues her solid season finishing 30th. Natalia Henderson finished 41st. Congratulations Ladies!
The always reliable Senior Co-Captain duo of Audrey Kim and Lauren Kuhn finished with top 25 finishes and Junior Kayleigh Goins continues her solid season finishing 30th. Natalia Henderson finished 41st. Congratulations Ladies!
The team looks forward to a busy schedule next week with a home match on Monday and a big day Wednesday as the Falcons defend their title at the Pinecrest Invitational. Good Luck. Play Well.
Middle School Volleyball:
Overall Record: 9-2
Opponent: | Scores: |
Village Christian | 25-11, 25-12, 25-15 (win) |
Fayetteville Academy | 25-9, 25-1, 25-14 (win) |
This was another great week for the Falcon MS volleyball program. Monday, they held the 2nd Intersquad Game of the season. The improvement within the program was apparent as the players worked towards three touches and everyone was able to successfully serve!
As a team, the Lady Falcons have been working with a modified lineup and many players have stepped up and stepped into bigger roles. The athletes came out with energy and intensity against Village Christian and Fayetteville Academy and kept the pressure on to finish with back-to-back wins in 3 sets. Next week is the final week of regular season competition before conference playoffs.
Let’s go Lady Falcons!
JV Volleyball
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Match |
Freedom Christian Academy | 20–25 | 21-25 | L |
Fayetteville Christian School | 8-25 | 8-25 | L |
The O'Neal Falcons JV Volleyball team faced a challenging week, with two losses in their recent matches. However, in the world of sports, victory is not always measured by the score on the board. The Falcons exhibited remarkable teamwork and have a list of skills that they are working to continue to develop during practice and performance room for these last few weeks of the season.
In both sets against Freedom Christian Academy, the Falcons displayed their fighting spirit, battling point by point with tenacity and sportsmanship. Although they didn't secure the win, their effort and improvement shone brightly against their formidable opponent.
Freedom Christian got a couple of early serve-runs on the Falcons, and they struggled to bounce back both in serve receive and defense. Despite the scores not being in their favor, the Falcons' commitment to improvement is undeniable. These losses serve as valuable learning experiences, and the team is more determined than ever to come back stronger in future contests. Their resilience in the face of adversity demonstrates the true spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork.
Varsity Volleyball
Overall Record: 9-5 Conference Record: 7-4
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Match |
Freedom Christian | 25-22 | 27-25 | 17-25 | 22-25 | 15-11 | W |
Fayetteville Christian | 22-25 | 25-23 | 25-23 | 24-26 | 15-12 | W |
Trinity Christian | 25-15 | 25-13 | 25-14 | W |
In a riveting showdown at Freedom Christian, the O'Neal Varsity Volleyball team showcased their tenacity and unwavering spirit in a five-set thriller. After securing the first two sets, O'Neal found themselves in a challenging position as Freedom Christian mounted a fierce comeback. In a heart-pounding fifth-set showdown at Freedom Christian, the O'Neal Varsity Volleyball team found themselves tied at 11, with tensions running high. It was at this crucial juncture that Michaela Stone rose to the occasion, delivering a stellar performance with four critical blocks, including two solo blocks that not only thwarted the opposition but immediately found the ground and translated into valuable points for O'Neal. The stage was set for an electrifying finish, and it was Jaleesa Eichel who sealed the deal with a powerful kill for the 15th point, bringing an end to the match in spectacular fashion.
The O'Neal Varsity Volleyball team continued their streak of intense five-set battles with a thrilling matchup against Fayetteville Christian School. After a challenging start, O'Neal rallied impressively to claim sets two and three. The fourth set was a nail-biter, with Fayetteville Christian School knotting the score at 2 apiece in a closely contested finish. Such high-stakes showdowns have become somewhat of a norm for O'Neal, marking their fifth five-set game this season and their third consecutive. Undeterred by contentious calls, the team remained focused on what they could control, demonstrating their resilience and unity. In a tense fifth set, they pushed through to secure victory with a score of 15-12, highlighting their unwavering determination and ability to thrive under pressure.
The O'Neal Varsity Volleyball team embarked on a road trip to face Trinity Christian, returning home with a victory in three sets. In a match that unfolded at a slightly slower pace, the O'Neal Varsity Volleyball team faced unique challenges during their encounter with Trinity Christian. This game demanded a keen focus on the finer details and disciplined positioning. Trinity Christian's strategy of sending balls over on first or second contacts kept O'Neal's defense on their toes, requiring quick reactions and a deep trust in each other to stay true to their respective roles. This match served as a valuable test of adaptability and teamwork.
Middle School Cross Country
Another strong week for the Falcon Runners! The team competed in the Haw River Christian Academy Invitational meet in Pittsboro and navigated the fairly rugged and single-track trail with ease. Their hard work paid off as our Falcon Girls Lainey Murphy, Colette Lovsin, and Haddie Habets placed 4th, 9th , and 11th out of a field of 50+ competitors. The Falcons Boys also showed grit and determination, Jacob Koprowski snagged 8th place, while Charlie Borland and Kaiden Taveras earned 11th and 14th in a field of over 60 competitors. An outstanding job by all Falcon Runners.
Varsity Cross Country
Varsity Cross Country has been busy racing this week. On Saturday, the Falcons traveled to McAlpine Park in Charlotte to compete in the Hare and Hounds. The meet provided a big field with amazing competition. Eli Caviness, Honor Hicks, Chris O’Melia, and Sam Schmitz all set Personal Records (PR’s). Ava Taylor and Lauren Hobbs followed with setting season-best times. The runners enjoyed the cooler temps and rain to add to the competitive environment.
On Tuesday Varsity Cross Country traveled to Carvers Creek Park in Fayetteville for a conference meet hosted by Berean. In cross country, courses are often labeled as “fast and flat” or “slow”. Tuesday’s course was a great slow course…. The terrain provided challenges from lots of roots, hills, thick sand, dense woods, and slick pine straw. Regardless of the course, the runners did amazingly.
Aidan Blackwell, Janna Caviness, Kaylee Crow, and Charlotte Mills all had season-best times. Hudson Harless had an outstanding race setting a huge PR. In addition, the girls placed 2nd and the boys finished 1st. What a strong performance for the first conference meet.
Varsity is looking forward to a Home Meet on Monday, Oct 1. Monday is also senior day. The team cannot wait to honor and recognize the Senior Falcons. All are invited to Monday’s competition – Girls' race at 5:00 and boys' race at 5:30.
Stop by and cheer on the Falcon Racers!
Middle School Soccer
Away Game—Village Christian
Falcons Lose 2-1
In a closely contested match, the O'Neal Falcons faced a tough challenge from Village Christian and narrowly fell short with a final score of 2-1. The game was a tightly contested battle throughout, with both teams displaying their skills and determination. In the second half, the Falcons fought valiantly to level the score but faced a strong defensive effort from Village Christian. Despite their best efforts, including a late goal that was waved off due to a foul, the Falcons couldn't find the equalizer.
Home Game – Fayetteville Academy
Falcons Win 4-3
In a thrilling middle school soccer match, the O'Neal Falcons emerged victorious with a 4-3 win over Fayetteville Academy. The Falcons got off to a blistering start, taking a commanding 4-1 lead early in the game. Their offensive prowess was on full display as they capitalized on scoring opportunities. The Falcons then had to dig deep and withstand a barrage of pressure late in the second half as Fayetteville Academy closed the gap to 4-3. With solid defensive play, they managed to preserve their lead and secure the hard-fought victory.
Varsity Soccer
The O'Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer Team showed their dominance this week with two remarkable games that left their fans cheering for more. With an incredible display of skill and teamwork, they secured victory in both contests, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the conference.
O'Neal Falcons vs. Freedom Christian Academy
The Falcons embarked on an away game against Freedom Christian Academy with high hopes and left no doubt about their capabilities. Though they faced a slow start, only holding a 2-0 lead at halftime, the Falcons soon shifted into high gear. In the second half, they demonstrated their prowess with an impressive onslaught of goals, securing a resounding 7-0 victory. The team's ability to adapt and excel during the game is a testament to their determination and skill.
O'Neal Falcons vs. Fayetteville Christian
O'Neal Falcons vs. Fayetteville Christian
The Falcons' second game of the week was a highly anticipated showdown against Fayetteville Christian, a match that would determine the top spot in the conference. It was a battle of skill and stamina, and the Falcons once again emerged victorious with a 2-0 win.
One of the standout performances of the game came from Andrew Pavlovich, the Falcons' goalkeeper. He showcased his expertise and resilience in goal, making a series of brilliant saves to keep Fayetteville Christian at bay. His remarkable performance not only preserved the shutout but also instilled confidence from his teammates. The team’s goals in each half were a testament to their strategic gameplay and ability to seize crucial moments.
The Falcons’ next challenge awaits on Friday, September 29, as they once again face off against Fayetteville Christian. With their recent successes, the team is entering this upcoming game with momentum on their side. Fans can anticipate an exciting match as the Falcons continue their pursuit of excellence in the conference.
Photos by Wendy Hodges
Photos by Wendy Hodges
EVENTS NEXT WEEK
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
SAT | 9/30/2023 | Fall Sports Clinics | GTN | HOME | 9am-11am |
MON | 10/2/2023 | Carmel Christian | Girls Golf | HOME | 1:00 PM |
MON | 10/2/2023 | Carolina Friends School | GTN | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
MON | 10/2/2023 | Freedom Christian | MS BSOC | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
MON | 10/2/2023 | Freedom Christian | MS VB | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
MON | 10/2/2023 | SJPII, Fayetteville Christian | MSXC | HOME | 4:00 PM/4:30 PM |
MON | 10/2/2023 | Grace Sanford and TA | XC | HOME | 5:00PM/5:30PM |
TUE | 10/3/2023 | Freedom Christian* | BSOC | HOME | 4:00 PM |
TUE | 10/3/2023 | Freedom Christian* | JV VB | HOME | 4:00 PM |
TUE | 10/3/2023 | Freedom Christian* | VB | HOME | 5:15 PM |
TUE | 10/3/2023 | The Burlington School | GTN | HOME | 3:30 PM |
WED | 10/4/2023 | Pinecrest Invitational (#6) | Girls Golf | AWAY | TBD |
THU | 10/5/2023 | Trinity Academy | BSOC | HOME | 4:00 PM |
THU | 10/5/2023 | Wake Christian Academy | GTN | HOME | 3:30 PM |
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