Falcon’s kickoff Fall season
Varsity Cross Country:
The Varsity Falcon Cross Country team is gearing up for what’s shaping up to be a great season. They have a strong crew of returning runners, plus a couple of new faces who are already making an impact. That mix has the team excited for some big improvements all around.
To dodge the summer heat, the team showed up for 6:00 a.m. practices—yes, you read that right… A.M., not P.M. While most folks were still asleep, the Falcons were out logging miles and putting in the work. That dedication showed right away once the season officially began. Even when the afternoon temperatures made it feel like running on the surface of the sun, the team kept cruising through early workouts.
With a strong base built over the summer and a ton of positive energy, this group is ready to roll. Their first meet is September 2nd—time to see all that hard work pay off!
Varsity Girls Tennis:
O'Neal vs. Rocky Mount Academy: Final 1-8, L
The Falcons kicked off their fall 2025 season with a home match against Rocky Mount Academy in a hard-fought opener. The week leading up to the match saw the team persevere through rainy weather, holding several indoor practices that gave the girls a chance to get to know each other and start building chemistry.
When match day arrived, the Falcons competed under beautiful—though hot—conditions, making for a challenging but exciting start to the school year. Rocky Mount secured the doubles points, but singles play featured several competitive battles. The Falcons’ solid six girls took the court in singles: senior Hannah Claire Nesbit at line 1, Vivienne Rhue at line 2, Valentina Roberts at line 3, Sydney Davis at line 4, Isabella Grotzke at line 5, and Beth Cordero at line 6—where Beth delivered an incredible win to notch the team’s first point of the season. The Falcons are eager to keep building momentum and sharpening their game.
O’Neal vs. Village Christian Academy: Final 8–1, Win
On Tuesday, August 19, the Falcons opened conference play at home with a decisive 8–1 victory over Village Christian Academy. The team set the tone in doubles, sweeping all three lines with strong chemistry and solid shot making. At doubles line 1, Hannah Claire Nesbit and Vivienne Rhue powered through with a commanding 8–1 win. The Falcons continued their strong play during singles matches, dropping only a few hard-fought games and one match.
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Christian Academy: Final 7–0, Win
On Thursday, August 21, the Falcons hit the road for their first away match of the season at Reid Ross/Tokay Athletic Park, defeating Fayetteville Christian Academy 7–0. The team began with singles, sweeping all six courts in dominant fashion. In doubles, Sydney Davis and Valentina Roberts showcased sharp net play and strong team communication to win on line 2. A sudden rainstorm cut play short on the doubles line 1 and 3. With singles already secured, the Falcons left with another commanding win to remain undefeated in conference play.
We are proud of the effort and focus displayed during the two strong wins this week. We will be looking to carry that momentum into next week.
Varsity Boys Soccer:
O’Neal vs. Sandhills Classical Christian 5-2, W
The O’Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer Team opened their season in style, defeating Sandhills Classical Christian 5-2 in front of their home fans. The victory marked a strong start to the 2025 campaign and showcased the Falcons’ attacking firepower.
From the opening whistle, O’Neal pressed forward with confidence, moving the ball quickly through midfield and creating early chances. Andrew Miller led the charge with a standout performance, scoring two goals and adding an assist to pace the Falcons’ attack. His ability to finish in front of goal and set up teammates proved to be the difference on the night.
The Falcons’ relentless pressure kept Sandhills Classical pinned in their own half for much of the first period, with O’Neal finding the back of the net multiple times before the break. The visitors managed to claw back two goals, but the Falcons’ composure and depth allowed them to keep control of the match.
O’Neal’s defense anchored the effort, shutting down counterattacks and moving the ball effectively out of the back. The back line, paired with decisive goalkeeping, helped ensure the Lions never threatened to close the gap.
When the final whistle blew, the Falcons walked off the field with a 5-2 victory and plenty of momentum for the season ahead. Head Coach Kyle Kegl praised his team’s energy and focus, noting that the win set the tone for conference play.
The Falcons will look to build on their fast start as the season continues, carrying confidence from their strong home debut into the matches to come.
O’Neal vs Village Christian Academy 0-2, L
The Falcons then hosted the Village Christian Academy Knights on Tuesday in their second home game of the season and first conference matchup. Despite a gritty performance, the Falcons came up short, falling 2-0 in front of the home crowd.
The opening stages of the match were evenly played, with both sides battling for midfield control. Midway through the first half, the Knights earned a throw-in deep near the Falcons’ box. Though O’Neal initially looked likely to clear the long throw, a miscommunication between the goalkeeper and center back turned costly. The ball slipped through and found its way into the net for an own goal, handing Village Christian a 1-0 advantage.
The second half was a back-and-forth contest, with both teams trading possession and chances. The Falcons defense held strong, led by the back line of Jack Habets, Andrew Hobbs, Matt Davis, and Parker Fusonie, who frustrated the Knights’ attack with timely tackles and strong positioning. Goalkeeper Murphy Stanton also turned in a standout performance, coming up with several crucial saves to keep O’Neal within striking distance.
However, with just over 15 minutes remaining, a questionable foul call outside the Falcons’ penalty area set the stage for Village’s second goal. As O’Neal scrambled to set up the defensive wall, the Knights struck quickly, curling a free kick just beyond the wall and past Stanton’s fingertips. Though he managed to get a hand on the ball, it wasn’t enough to keep it out of the net, sealing a 2-0 win for Village Christian.
While the result didn’t go their way, the Falcons showed resilience and defensive discipline throughout the contest. They’ll look to bounce back quickly as they continue conference play this Friday at home against rival Northwood Temple. Kickoff is set for 5:15 p.m.
Varsity Volleyball:
O’Neal vs. Sandhills Classical Christian School: 24-26/22-25/13-25 – 0-3, L
The O’Neal Varsity Volleyball team hosted their home opener last week in front of an energetic crowd, battling SCCS in a hard-fought match that was much closer than the final scoreline suggests. The Falcons pushed the first two sets to the wire, falling just short at 24-26 and 22-25 before running out of momentum in the third.
The team’s mix of returning talent—including five experienced seniors—and promising newcomers displayed plenty of firepower and resilience. Senior Jordin Reed had an incredible night of serving with 17 service attempts, 8 aces and only 2 errors! Senior Kennedi Hamner lead the team in kills with 6 followed by 8th grader Elli Hood with 4.
While a handful of small mistakes ultimately kept the Falcons from closing out the tight early sets, the match made it clear that this group has the tools to compete with anyone. With more time to build chemistry and consistency, the Falcons are confident they can flip those narrow margins into wins as the season moves forward.
O’Neal vs Village Christian Academy: 16-25/12-25/22-25 – 0-3, L
The Falcons faced a tough challenge in their match against an experienced and well-coordinated Village Christian team, falling in three sets. O’Neal struggled to find their rhythm in the first two sets, but the Falcons showed resilience and fight in the third. After making key adjustments, they battled point-for-point and nearly extended the match before dropping the set 22-25.
There were bright spots to celebrate on the stat sheet. Lily Stanley led the serving line with 14 attempts, recording 1 ace and no errors, while also tallying 5 assists to fuel the Falcons’ offense. Elli Hood sparked momentum with aggressive serving, finishing with 11 attempts, 5 aces, and leading the team in kills with 4.
Though the result wasn’t in the Falcons’ favor, the team’s strong finish in the final set gives them confidence and momentum to carry forward into the rest of the season.
Photos by Wendy Hodges.
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