On Wednesday, Nov. 4 the O’Neill Raider varsity volleyball team – ranked #2 in Section 9’s Class B – was set to take on #3 Highland in the O’Neill gym at 5 p.m.in the section tournament’s semifinal game. The winner of that game will play at Mount Saint Mary College on Friday.

The past few weeks were busy ones for the team, Coach KelleyAnn Lonergan said.

“The seeding meeting for sectionals was on Thursday (October 29),” she said. “To prepare for sections, we are focusing on getting in some good quality reps, as well as prioritizing ‘productive rest’!”

Before that, October 19 was Senior Night, and, to celebrate, the Raiders beat Monticello in three straight sets (25-10, 25-21, 25-10).

Then, on October 20, the team hosted its annual ‘Dig Pink’ game, taking on Warwick.

“We won in three straight sets (25-15, 25-12, 25-19), and raised $600 for Breast Cancer research,” the coach said.

Then, on October 21 the Raiders played at Beacon and won in five sets (25-15, 22-25, 25-16, 22-25, 15-2). After this win, the team’s record was 15-0.

After two days off, they headed to a tournament at Section 1’s John Jay Cross River.

On October 26, was the final regular season game, at Fallsburg. The Raiders won 3-0.