THE WEEK THAT WAS - Sports Blog by Tommy Orndorff
A Friday "White Out"
O'Connell Pride. It was on full display on Friday night, as a steady stream of O'Connell students flowed into the Paul VI stadium making their way to the far end zone's sideline. The "White Out" was quite the spectacle, and, to say the least, impressive. As was the enthusiasm. And, to their credit, they made their presence known from the very beginning – exchanging cheers with PVI's Sixth Man following. Friday Night Lights at its best.
There's pride. Then there's Pride, as is To'ren Pride.
The host Panthers pretty much dominated the opening quarter, but had just three points to show for it – a 27-yard field goal with 53 seconds remaining in the first period. But old mo was about to change.
Pride, as in To'ren Pride, took the ensuing kickoff at the one-yard-line and electrified the crowd with a 99-yard kick return – staking the Knights to a 6-3 lead that they never relinquished the rest of the way en route to a decisive 40-3 win over their long-time rivals from Fairfax.
Shortly thereafter, Pride took another one to the house – returning a punt probably 60 yards as the sidelines and O'Connell student section erupted in celebration. The rout was on, or so it seemed. But the Knights were called for a penalty on the play, nullifying Pride's burst to pay dirt. Score or no score, his exploits had the sidelines buzzing...the crowd was into it. The energy along the sidelines was unreal. One could just feel it – and, to be sure, it felt great.
By halftime, Coach Colin Disch's charges owned a 13-3 advantage and was now controlling both lines of scrimmage. Their quickness and physicality was beginning to take its toll on Paul VI. A 27-point fourth quarter put the finishing touches to this one, with Pride once again igniting his teammates and the student section – scoring on a 32-yard TD jaunt. No flags this time. Much to the delight of the "White Out" student section, the rout was on.
The fleet-footed Pride was amazing. His totals for the game were amazing. All-purpose yards: 211. That's right, 211 all-purpose yards. Add to that, two touchdowns and a third which was called back. His exploits electrified the crowd right to the final whistle.
A Saturday "Blue Out"
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And, somewhat surprisingly, that same spirit and enthusiasm carried over to Saturday night: a "Blue Out" at St. John's College High School for the WCAC Volleyball championship game. Once again, the O'Connell student section made their presence known from the outset. They were into it. As were the two teams, Holy Cross and O'Connell.
It was, indeed, a championship setting. The gym oozed with intensity, with two of the DMV's top teams squaring off. Each serve, each volley, each point magnified by its importance because of all that was at stake. It was an awesome atmosphere. And, at the same time, nerve-wracking.
Holy Cross took the first set, 25-10. Coach Mehdi El Alaoui's team appeared uptight, overwhelmed by the moment and all the pressure that comes with it. We were not ourselves. We were in trouble.
Somehow, someway, we gathered ourselves – and suddenly began playing our game. It was a thing of beauty to watch. Maxine Friedman was on her game, showing everyone why she was selected the WCAC Player of the Year by the conference's coaches. "Max" is the complete player, both at the net and on the backline – and it was all on display on this night. "Max" came to play, and her teammates rallied behind her.
Game Two: 25-21, O'Connell. We were back in it!
This one was going to go the distance as two well-coached, highly-skilled teams competed at a very high level of play. It had to be the best volleyball game that I have witnessed in my 32 years here at O'Connell.
Set Three went to the Tartans, 25-16. But, the Knights were not done yet as the O'Connell girls overcame a slow start to draw even, finishing on a 5-1 run behind the serving of Sarah Lawler – prevailing 25-20 and knotting the score at two games apiece.
Digs. Dives. Sets. Kills. Blocks. It was all on display on this night.
The tension in the gym was beyond belief. Sr. Tracy was praying the rosary at one end of the gym while the packed-house gymnasium was engaged with every point throughout. It was Game Five, and the season was on the line. Two teams who have worked day-in, day-out since the middle of August to get to this point: the final set of the WCAC championship game. The pressure was intense. It was an awesome setting.
Game. Set. Match. Bring it on!
Holy Cross did, jumping out to a 7-1 advantage – exchanging points the rest of the way in claiming a 15-8 win and, with it, their fifth straight WCAC Championship.
In the end, the Knights had no answer for #1 (senior Emily Ryan, a UCLA commit). She dominated along the frontline, hammering home kills with authority. She was outstanding...just outstanding. Kudos to Ryan and Holy Cross! It was a great game, a great atmosphere...made all the better by the two student sections.
On this night, I was proud to be a Knight. In oh-so many ways, I was proud to be a Knight. What an atmosphere! Ditto for Friday night at PVI!
What a weekend it was! Go Knights!
This is Tommy Orndorff, and that was The Week That Was.