The Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington Lady Knight Volleyball Team is off to one of its best starts in school history. The Knights, coached by Michael Barnett (fifth season), currently have an overall record of 14-6 and an impressive WCAC record of 11-3.

"We don't have a whole lot of hitting power this season, but our finesse and our heart and our smarts are all very good," said the veteran coach.

O'Connell has defeated Georgetown Day School in Washington, Holton Arms in Bethesda, Md., and "Christian Home Education Network" (out of the conference) as well as St John’s College High School in Washington twice, St. Mary's Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Md., twice, Bishop McNamara High School in Forrestville, Md., twice, Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria twice, Seton School in Manassas once, Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington once and Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, Md., once (in the conference).

On Oct. 17, the Knights hit the road and dropped three consecutive games to the upstart Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Md., Lady Roadrunners (25-22, 26-24 and 25-22). The setback, however, did not derail Barnett's optimism.

"Against Seton, we were a kind of tense and we were worried about making mistakes. We led most of the third game, but unforced errors hurt us," he said.

The Seton setback notwithstanding, Barnett is rather pleased where O'Connell is currently positioned.

"We are pretty healthy," he said. "Our girls never give up. They fight to the end."

"O'Connell is a very good serving team," said Elizabeth Seton Head Coach Terri Kerley. "They have some very solid setters and they play good defense."

O'Connell is led by co-captains Gemma Donovan (senior setter) and Katie Nutaitis (junior outside hitter).

"Gemma is three-year varsity starter. She has always been a very good passer. Her vertical reach is the second best on the team. She is very important to our success out there because the setter is essentially the quarterback of the team. She decides who gets the ball," said Barnett.

"Katie (also a standout softball player for Coach Tommy Orndorff) is second-year varsity player. I like her ‘go-hard’ attitude. She is very focused and intense and also has some good athleticism," said Barnett.

Other starters generally include a rotation of senior middle hitter Kelly Hogan (who also plays basketball for Coach Jimmy Brown), junior setter Jen Katz, junior defensive specialist Allison Smith, sophomore outside hitter Colleen Carty (another starter for Orndorff) and sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Luxenburg.

"Lauren was injured early on and missed five matches. Her return has been very instrumental in our recent success, especially her serving and defense," said Barnett.

Of the Knights top seven players, five will return next season. Other key Knights who see action include senior Regina Duffy and five juniors: Megan Kozich, Mary Laniak, Maggie Lynch, Ana Rose Tuszka and Lauren Wisemiller.

Statistically, Donovan leads the team with 33 "aces"; Katz leads the Lady Knights with 88 "kills" and Luxenburg leads the team with 148 digs (an incredible number considering the sophomore missed five matches).

At this juncture, with the playoffs in approximately two weeks, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, Md., remains unbeaten in the league. O'Connell and Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax remain in a statistical tie for second, with three league losses. Seton is one match behind the Knights and the Panthers on the season, with four league losses. The 2005 WCAC Volleyball Championship appears to be most likely a battle between the Falcons, Knights, Panthers and Roadrunners.

St. John’s, Holy Cross, Ireton and McNamara have all dropped at least seven league matches and it would appear to be an uphill battle for the Cadets, Tartans, Cardinals or Mustangs to make a statement in the upcoming WCAC Tournament.

St. Mary's Ryken and Carroll have only combined to win one league match this season. The league tournament is scheduled for Nov. 1-5 most likely at St. John’s.