Weekly Falcon Update

Weekly update for the week of 8/31 - 9/5

Varsity Volleyball:  
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Academy 3-1 (25-14/19-25/25-18/25-7), W 
Last Friday, the Falcons earned a strong win over Fayetteville Academy. O’Neal controlled the first set 25-14 with steady serving and aggressive attacks. The second set saw a dip in rhythm as substitutions gave players the chance to learn new positions, and Fayetteville Academy capitalized to even the match with a 25-19 win. From there, O’Neal rallied back with confidence, grinding out a 25-18 win in the third before dominating the fourth set 25-7 behind sharp execution and long serving runs. All rostered athletes got the chance to see the court, making it a fun and memorable way to end the week. 

 
Stat leaders included Elli Hood with 11 aces, Laura Schulze with 8 kills, Myer Johnson with 10 digs, and Lily Stanley with 14 assists. The balanced contributions across the lineup highlighted the team’s depth and resilience as they continue to build momentum this season. 

 
O’Neal vs Trinity Christian School 3-0 (25-17/25-13/26-24), W 
On Tuesday, the Falcons battled Trinity Christian School and came away with a hard-earned 3–0 victory. O’Neal controlled the first two sets with aggressive serving and precise execution, taking them 25-17 and 25-13. The third set was a nail-biter, with Trinity Christian pushing the Falcons to the limit before O’Neal closed it out 26-24. 

Kennedi Hamner led the way with a sweep of team-leading performances, notching 4 aces, an impressive 15 kills, and 4 digs. She was well-supported by Laura Shulze and Jordin Reed, who each had 3 aces, with Laura adding 7 kills, and by Lily Stanley, who recorded 23 assists. Myer Johnson also contributed 4 digs, helping to anchor the defense. 

Hamner’s dominant play, paired with strong team support, highlighted the Falcons’ depth and resilience, making it a thrilling way to end the week on the court and head out on Class Trips! The Falcons will hit the court full speed when they return on Monday with a three-game week taking on Freedom Christian, Berean Baptist, and seeing Village Christian for the second time this season.
 

Varsity Cross Country:  
The Falcons kicked off their season at Freedom Christian Academy on a picture-perfect day for racing, complete with a slight breeze to ease the first-meet nerves. Both the boys and girls came out fast, settling into strong positions early and showing the hard work from summer training was paying off. Leading the way were three top five finishes: Chris O’Melia in 2nd, Sam Schmitz in 4th, and on the girl's side Hadden Habets in 3rd. Nathan Reifenstahl also ran a determined race, battling his way up through the field place by place to finish 16th overall. 

The day was also special for three Falcons running their first-ever 5K—Natalia Henderson, Jack Browning, and Mason Wicks. They quickly discovered why cross country is known as one of the toughest sports, two of them stated "this was the hardest thing they had ever done" -but you wouldn’t know it from how they raced. Their efforts and times showed they belong right alongside the competition, giving the team even more to be excited about as the season unfolds.  
 
Varsity Girls Tennis 
O’Neal vs. Fayetteville Academy: Final 2–7, L 
On Friday, August 29, the Falcons hit the road for a tough conference matchup against Fayetteville Academy. The girls battled hard in singles, with several matches coming down to long rallies and tight games but ultimately secured just one win. Doubles proved to be the bright spot of the day, as the Line 2 duo of Valentina Roberts and Beth Cordero delivered a fantastic 8–5 victory, showing great teamwork and grit. Another highlight was eighth grader Kennedy Aytes, who stepped confidently into her first varsity singles and doubles matches. Kennedy nearly grabbed her first win alongside Isabella Grotzke in a back-and-forth doubles contest, but Fayetteville edged them out 9–7. It was a day of growth and valuable experience for the Falcons. 

 
O’Neal vs. North Moore High School: Final 9–0, W 
The Falcons bounced back in style after the holiday weekend, hosting North Moore on Tuesday, September 2, in a re-scheduled home match. Despite the hot, windy conditions, the team brought plenty of energy and focus, sweeping the Mustangs 9–0. Sydney Davis wasted no time at Line 3, cruising to a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory in just 30 minutes. At Line 1, Hannah Claire Nesbit dug deep for the tightest battle of the day, gutting out a 6-4, 7-6 (9–7) win that electrified her teammates. With singles wrapped up, the Falcons relaxed into doubles play, using the opportunity to enjoy the moment and showcase the fun, competitive spirit that defines this group. 

 
The Falcons will be coming off class trips next week and we are looking forward to a full week of tennis with 2 away matches and 3 strong practice days.  The team will be back in action Monday with a road test in Burlington. 

Contributed. Photo courtesy of Wendy Hodges.