First year head coach, Franchesca Nival was named the head coach of the year on Nov 4. In Nival’s first season she led the Volleyball team to a perfect (21-0) record and a NJCAA tournament.

Rookie head coach, Franchesca Nival was honored as the Northeast district coach of the year on Nov 4. In Nival’s first season she led the knights to a perfect (23-0) record and The Knight’s first national NJCAA tournament appearance. NECC website

“Winning coach of the year is a testimonial dream come true” said Nival. “When I was in college, I didn’t get to show my best efforts due to an injury, and later after I had to stop playing, but I then learned I loved coaching shortly after. I put a lot of work into perfecting my craft by studying the game, and make sure I gave every single player an equal amount of attention.” 

The 2023 volleyball saw a significant turnaround that finished (11-17) into region championship contenders the following year. 

“Francesca really turned the volleyball program around in her first season. She had some good recruiting connections that brought a group of young women from Lawerence back together that had a ton of success at the high school a couple years ago and they brought that success to NECC. I hope she can continue that trend and the volleyball teams continue to thrive moving forward” Athletic director Dan Blair said. 

Under Nival, The knights ranked first in-service aces per set with 5.48 and third in service aces. 

Four Knights were also named to region 21 all-team, Vielka Sanchez, Abigail Heredia, Chantel Melgen and Maria Reyes, all of Lawerence, MA.