The Bishop O'Connell High School Lady Knights, coached by Michael Barnett, advanced to the WCAC semifinals last week in volleyball. Although the Knights lost to powerhouse Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, Md., in the semifinal match, 2005 has been one of the better seasons for the "Royal Blue and Silver" in recent years. The Knights weigh-in with an overall record of 17-8.

"We've had a lot of fun this season. We've worked hard. Coach Barnett is a good coach. He helps us come together as a team. He makes sure that we work together and that we keep up the intensity," said O'Connell senior Gemma Donovan (the lone diocesan volleyball player to earn first-team All-WCAC this season).

In the Nov. 4 semifinal match against the defending champs, O'Connell won the first game 25-20, but then dropped the next three 25-15, 25-11 and 25-17.

In game two, the Knights trailed 15-14, but were outscored 10-1 down the stretch. In game three, O'Connell trailed 8-3 and 10-4 early on and never recovered.

In game four, the Knights led 8-7, 9-8, 11-10 and 12-11. However, from that juncture forward, Good Counsel outscored the Knights 14-5 to prevail.
"In the end, we didn't have the offense and we weren't able to put the ball on the floor when we needed to," said Barnett.

In the Nov. 2 quarterfinals versus fifth-seeded Holy Cross, O'Connell prevailed three games to zero: 25-6, 25-23 and 26-24. Also in the quarterfinals, third-seeded Paul VI was upset by sixth-seeded St. John’s three games to two. Seventh-seeded Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria dropped three games to second-seeded Seton School in Manassas. Seton eventually defeated Good Counsel for the 2005 title.

Both O'Connell and Paul VI will participate in the 2005 Virginia Independent State Volleyball Tournament. The Knights are scheduled to travel to Fredericksburg Christian Schools in Fredericksburg Nov. 8. The Panthers are scheduled to travel to Norfolk Collegiate School in Norfolk.