By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
It was an extremely special 2019 season for Needham High School girls volleyball. The Rockets absolutely dominated their way to an unbeaten 21-0 season and won the Division I state championship.
Junior outside hitter Karen Nie recorded 275 kills, 138 digs, and 76 aces, earning Division I Player of the Year and Globe/Herald All-Scholastic honors. Senior setter Daly Johnson was named All-Scholastic while Lila Carr and Ellie Streeper were both named Bay State Conference All-Stars. Head coach Courtney Chaloff was named Globe and Herald Coach of the Year.
On June 25, Needham girls volleyball added one final award as Courtney Chaloff was named girls volleyball Coach of the Year by the MIAA. The news was announced in a tweet by the Needham High School Athletics Twitter account.
Seven years ago, Needham High School volleyball finished 0-20. In Chaloff's sixth season in 2019, the Rockets flipped the script with an unbeaten record and took home the state championship. This award, and the 2019 season as a whole, serve as a reminder of how much Chaloff has meant to the Needham volleyball program.
For funny and incisive sports analysis as well as game highlights, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
