Falcons Nest - September 13th
Temperatures started to cool off, but competition heated up this week for the Falcons
Varsity Girls Tennis:
O’Neal vs Village Christian: Final 8-1, W
The Lady Falcons tennis team continued their impressive season with an 8-1 victory over Village Christian Academy on Wednesday, September 11th, improving their record to 4-0. The match, held in Fayetteville, saw standout performances from several players, including senior #1 Charli Bunder, who contributed victories in both singles and doubles.
O’Neal vs Village Christian: Final 8-1, W
The Lady Falcons tennis team continued their impressive season with an 8-1 victory over Village Christian Academy on Wednesday, September 11th, improving their record to 4-0. The match, held in Fayetteville, saw standout performances from several players, including senior #1 Charli Bunder, who contributed victories in both singles and doubles.
Hannah Claire Nesbit and Sydney Davis also delivered strong showings, securing wins in both singles and doubles. Younger players on the roster made a significant impact as well, with 8th grader Natalia Henderson and 9th grader Vivienne Rhue winning their singles matches, while 7th grader Harper Kate Harless and 9th grader Valentina Roberts teamed up for a doubles victory.
The Falcons’ rotating lineup has allowed for 8 or 9 players to compete in each match, fostering valuable experience for the future. The team will be back in action on Monday, September 16th, and Friday, September 20th, as they look to extend their winning streak in upcoming matches.
MS Cross Country:
Fresh off class trips, the Falcon runners picked up where they left off with another impressive showcase this week at the Cape Fear meet. An uphill battle, the Falcons overcame one of the longer courses they will face this year. In a sprint to the finish, the boys absolutely dominated their division on Tuesday with the Falcons (Charlie Borland, David Risseeuw, Nathan Trujillo, Hunter and Charlie Monroe) being the first five runners to cross the finish line. Most Valuable Runner though went to Will Chalker, who kicked into 6th gear to pass his opponent during the home stretch of the race. Abigail Schupp, Julie Wilson, and Lainey Murphy all finished top 3 for the Girls' Division. Overall, the Falcons finished in 1st place for the Boys division and in 2nd place for the Girls division. Next week, the Falcons travel just down the road in a battle for the Sandhills area as they take on St. John Paul Catholic School on Monday, September 16th.
Fresh off class trips, the Falcon runners picked up where they left off with another impressive showcase this week at the Cape Fear meet. An uphill battle, the Falcons overcame one of the longer courses they will face this year. In a sprint to the finish, the boys absolutely dominated their division on Tuesday with the Falcons (Charlie Borland, David Risseeuw, Nathan Trujillo, Hunter and Charlie Monroe) being the first five runners to cross the finish line. Most Valuable Runner though went to Will Chalker, who kicked into 6th gear to pass his opponent during the home stretch of the race. Abigail Schupp, Julie Wilson, and Lainey Murphy all finished top 3 for the Girls' Division. Overall, the Falcons finished in 1st place for the Boys division and in 2nd place for the Girls division. Next week, the Falcons travel just down the road in a battle for the Sandhills area as they take on St. John Paul Catholic School on Monday, September 16th.
Varsity Cross Country:
On Tuesday, September 10th, the Falcon Cross Country team competed in a race hosted by Northwood Temple Academy. Unlike the previous meet, the weather was perfect, with sunny skies and 80-degree temperatures. The course, featuring mild rolling hills near a river, provided an ideal setting for the race.
On Tuesday, September 10th, the Falcon Cross Country team competed in a race hosted by Northwood Temple Academy. Unlike the previous meet, the weather was perfect, with sunny skies and 80-degree temperatures. The course, featuring mild rolling hills near a river, provided an ideal setting for the race.
But it wasn’t just the conditions that contributed to the team’s success—it was the hard work the runners put in behind the scenes. Their dedication paid off, resulting in seven season-best times by Jace Campbell, Nathan Reifenstahl, Chris O'Melia, Charlotte Mills, Zoe Mount, Addy Tauch, and Ava Taylor Walker.
In addition to the personal bests, Sam Schmitz, Chris O'Melia, and Ava Taylor Walker earned Top 10 finishes, rounding out an impressive day for the Falcons.
Middle School Boys Soccer:
O'Neal @ Berean Baptist: Final 2-1, W
O’Neal traveled to Berean Baptist on Monday, fresh off class trips. They switched to a new defensive formation playing with the back four defenders in a diamond formation instead of a U shape. This allowed for more defined roles for each defender, and they responded by withstanding strong pressure from Berean in the first ten minutes. After shaking off the rust from a week away, the Falcons turned the tide of the game midway through the first half and scored on a volley from 20 yards out that caught the keeper by surprise. They were able to keep the ball in Berean’s half for most of the rest of the game, scoring an insurance goal about halfway through the second half. Berean got on the scoreboard late, with about two minutes left in the game, but O’Neal held them shotless over the last two minutes to preserve the win.
O'Neal @ Berean Baptist: Final 2-1, W
O’Neal traveled to Berean Baptist on Monday, fresh off class trips. They switched to a new defensive formation playing with the back four defenders in a diamond formation instead of a U shape. This allowed for more defined roles for each defender, and they responded by withstanding strong pressure from Berean in the first ten minutes. After shaking off the rust from a week away, the Falcons turned the tide of the game midway through the first half and scored on a volley from 20 yards out that caught the keeper by surprise. They were able to keep the ball in Berean’s half for most of the rest of the game, scoring an insurance goal about halfway through the second half. Berean got on the scoreboard late, with about two minutes left in the game, but O’Neal held them shotless over the last two minutes to preserve the win.
O’Neal @ Village Christian: Final 0-6, L
The Falcons traveled to undefeated Village Christian on Wednesday, in a rematch of an 8-3 defeat from earlier in the year. Missing a starting forward, the Falcon’s struggled to put much pressure on Village, but played incredibly tough right from the opening whistle. 20 minutes into the game, it was still a scoreless tie, with Village struggling to create dangerous opportunities. The Knights did break through in the final 10 minutes of the half, scoring twice to make it 2-0 at halftime. The second half started with Village still having the momentum, scoring two more times quickly in the second half and putting the game out of reach. O’Neal kept playing hard throughout, and many individual victories were had. The athletes should be proud of their ability to recognize the positive moments and always be up for the next challenge, regardless of previous outcomes.
The Falcons traveled to undefeated Village Christian on Wednesday, in a rematch of an 8-3 defeat from earlier in the year. Missing a starting forward, the Falcon’s struggled to put much pressure on Village, but played incredibly tough right from the opening whistle. 20 minutes into the game, it was still a scoreless tie, with Village struggling to create dangerous opportunities. The Knights did break through in the final 10 minutes of the half, scoring twice to make it 2-0 at halftime. The second half started with Village still having the momentum, scoring two more times quickly in the second half and putting the game out of reach. O’Neal kept playing hard throughout, and many individual victories were had. The athletes should be proud of their ability to recognize the positive moments and always be up for the next challenge, regardless of previous outcomes.
Varsity Boys Soccer:
The O’Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer team hit the road this week for two away games that had everything: drama, comebacks, and heart-stopping moments. The Falcons showed they’ve got the grit to battle back from any situation and gave their all for two unforgettable games.
The O’Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer team hit the road this week for two away games that had everything: drama, comebacks, and heart-stopping moments. The Falcons showed they’ve got the grit to battle back from any situation and gave their all for two unforgettable games.
O'Neal @ Berean Baptist: Final 3-2, W
The Bulldogs caught the Falcons off guard early with a quick counter-attack that put them up 1-0. It wasn’t the beginning the Falcons wanted, but these guys don’t know the meaning of the word “quit.” The team made some smart defensive adjustments and slowly began clawing their way back into the match. The breakthrough came with a long throw from Max Pashley, who launched one of his trademark missiles into the box. Travis Doody got on the end of it with a perfect header to tie things up at 1-1. The second half saw the Falcons turn up the heat, pressing hard and creating some serious scoring chances. But soccer can be cruel, and a quick counter from the Bulldogs saw the Falcons go down 2-1. Did they hang their heads? Nope. They fought right back, winning another throw-in near the Bulldogs' goal. Pashley delivered another beauty, and Gabe Marrero was there to tap it in and tie the score again. With the clock ticking down, the Falcons pushed for the winner, but regulation ended with the teams still deadlocked. Extra time came, and the Falcons turned it up to eleven. Gavin Natt, showing why he’s one of the team’s leaders, picked the ball at midfield, danced through three defenders like he was playing in the backyard, and slid it to Travis Doody, who buried it for the golden goal winner. Falcons take it, and get the job done in style.
O’Neal @ Village Christian: Final 2-2 PKs 3-4, L
Next, the Falcons headed out to take on the Village Christian Academy Knights in what was shaping up to be another epic clash. The Knights came out swinging and put the Falcons under pressure from the start, scoring just five minutes in and adding another soon after to make it 0-2. It looked like a tough day was ahead, but the Falcons aren’t built to back down. After weathering the storm, with keeper Andrew Pavlovich making some clutch saves, the Falcons started to fight their way back into the game. Just before halftime, they got a chance with a free kick at the edge of the 18. Gavin Natt stepped up and blasted a rocket into the net to cut the deficit to 1-2, giving the Falcons some much-needed momentum. The second half was a grind. Both teams battled hard, and then the Knights were awarded a penalty kick that could’ve sealed it. But Pavlovich wasn’t having any of it – he guessed right and made the save of the game, keeping the Falcons alive. Then, with just five minutes left, Max Pashley went on a run down the left, beat three defenders, and found 8th grader Dylan Wolfe. Wolfe took it to the top of the box and fired a perfect shot into the far corner to tie it up at 2-2. The game went to extra time, and while both teams had chances, neither could finish it off. It all came down to penalties. Both sides battled hard, but in the end, the Knights edged it out 4-3. Still, the Falcons showed some serious guts, fighting back from 2-0 down to take it to the wire.
The Falcons face a brutal stretch next week with three games in a row.
Next, the Falcons headed out to take on the Village Christian Academy Knights in what was shaping up to be another epic clash. The Knights came out swinging and put the Falcons under pressure from the start, scoring just five minutes in and adding another soon after to make it 0-2. It looked like a tough day was ahead, but the Falcons aren’t built to back down. After weathering the storm, with keeper Andrew Pavlovich making some clutch saves, the Falcons started to fight their way back into the game. Just before halftime, they got a chance with a free kick at the edge of the 18. Gavin Natt stepped up and blasted a rocket into the net to cut the deficit to 1-2, giving the Falcons some much-needed momentum. The second half was a grind. Both teams battled hard, and then the Knights were awarded a penalty kick that could’ve sealed it. But Pavlovich wasn’t having any of it – he guessed right and made the save of the game, keeping the Falcons alive. Then, with just five minutes left, Max Pashley went on a run down the left, beat three defenders, and found 8th grader Dylan Wolfe. Wolfe took it to the top of the box and fired a perfect shot into the far corner to tie it up at 2-2. The game went to extra time, and while both teams had chances, neither could finish it off. It all came down to penalties. Both sides battled hard, but in the end, the Knights edged it out 4-3. Still, the Falcons showed some serious guts, fighting back from 2-0 down to take it to the wire.
The Falcons face a brutal stretch next week with three games in a row.
Middle School Volleyball:
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Match |
Berean Baptist | 25-19 | 25-20 | W |
Village Christian | 25-21 | 25-15 | W |
This week, the MS volleyball team played two strong matches, securing wins against both Berean Baptist and Village Christian Academy. The athletes were on fire in their first game thanks to excellent communication on the court. Keelie Bosworth made some incredible saves, while Cecilia Jones set up remarkable spikes that kept the momentum going.
In the second match, the team extended their winning streak with a victory over Village Christian. Elli Hood and Bethany Risseeuw delivered well-placed kills, while Emma Garrison’s precise sets helped seal the win. Reagan Lowth also made crucial saves in the second set, contributing to the team’s overall success.
In the second match, the team extended their winning streak with a victory over Village Christian. Elli Hood and Bethany Risseeuw delivered well-placed kills, while Emma Garrison’s precise sets helped seal the win. Reagan Lowth also made crucial saves in the second set, contributing to the team’s overall success.
Varsity Volleyball:
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Match |
Berean Baptist | 18-25 | 20-25 | 21-25 | L | |
Village Christian | 18-25 | 16-25 | 25-23 | 11-25 | L |
The O'Neal Varsity volleyball team put up a strong fight on the road against Berean Baptist, competing hard through all three sets. Despite their relentless effort and refusal to give up, unforced errors ultimately proved to be the difference in the match. While the result didn’t go their way, the game highlighted the team’s potential and capability to defeat tough opponents like Berean. With a renewed focus on minimizing mistakes and maintaining teamwork, the Falcons are poised to bounce back stronger in future matchups.
The O'Neal Volleyball team faced off in a rematch against Village Christian, coming up short in four sets. After dropping the first two sets, the Falcons came out strong in the third, firing off an impressive 10-0 run and holding on for the win to force a fourth set. However, in the fourth, communication and confidence slipped, leading to a series of small mistakes that compounded, making it difficult to side out and refocus. While the Falcons have undeniable talent to compete, the key area for growth remains the mental side of the game—learning to shake off past mistakes and stay focused on the play at hand. Next week presents a valuable chance to build on their strengths and improve their consistency on the court.
Falcons Sports Next Week (9/16-9/21):
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
MON | 9/16/2024 | Fayetteville Academy | BSOC | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
MON | 9/16/2024 | Fayetteville Academy | GTN | AWAY | 3:30 PM |
MON | 9/16/2024 | SJP | MSXC | AWAY | Girls 4:00PM/Boys 4:30PM |
MON | 9/16/2024 | Fayetteville Academy | VB | AWAY | 4:45PM |
MON | 9/16/2024 | Village Christian | XC | AWAY | Boys 4:30PM/Girls 5:15PM |
TUE | 9/17/2024 | Northwood Temple | BSOC | HOME | 5:15 PM |
TUE | 9/17/2024 | Northwood Temple | MSBSOC | HOME | 3:30 PM |
TUE | 9/17/2024 | Northwood Temple | MSVB | HOME | 3:30 PM |
TUE | 9/17/2024 | Northwood Temple | VB | HOME | 4:45PM |
WED | 9/18/2024 | Fayetteville Christian School | BSOC | AWAY | 5:00 PM |
FRI | 9/20/2024 | Fayetteville Christian School | GTN | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
FRI | 9/20/2024 | Fayetteville Christian School | MSBSOC | AWAY | 4:00PM |
FRI | 9/20/2024 | Fayetteville Christian School | MSVB | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
FRI | 9/20/2024 | Fayetteville Christian School | VB | AWAY | 5:30PM |
SAT | 9/21/2024 | Adidas - Wake Med Park | XC | AWAY | TBD |
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