Niwot boys volleyball athletes end season with awards and goodbyes

Niwot High School's boys volleyball team recently celebrated numerous postseason awards.

Released by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) on May 19, the Class 5A All-State awards reflect standout boys volleyball athletes of 2025.

Rising senior Charlie Kirtland was named to the All-State Second Team. Kirtland played the libero position, a highly specialized defensive role.

"It truly does mean so much to be recognized," he said. "I think that especially as a libero, it takes going for every ball and pushing yourself and sacrificing your body to make plays and keep balls up."

Diego Kheng, also a rising senior, earned All-State accolades with an Honorable Mention. He played the role of outside hitter this season.

He said that he was somewhat surprised to learn he had earned the award. "I feel like a big part of getting those awards is your presence in-game," he stated. "I wasn't the best at everything or the best in the conference, but I always encouraged my teammates."

Within the Northern Colorado 5A League, four Niwot athletes received All-Conference awards. Kirtland and Kheng were both included in the All-Conference First Team, while rising senior Jasper Helgans and graduating senior Cooper Chudleigh earned Honorable Mentions.

Three athletes, Cooper Chudleigh, Jenu Ngialah and Ethan Husk, graduated this year and bid farewell to their fellow players. "Next season," said Kirtland, "we lose a lot of leadership and talent on the team so I think that filling those gaps will be critical."

Niwot volleyball competed at the state tournament in May and capped off the season with a 16-11 overall record and a 6-3 record in the Northern 5A League. Head Coach John Miller reflected, "After building this program from scratch in only 3 years, reaching the State Tournament is a true testament to the great athletes that I had the opportunity to work with!"

This was Coach Miller's final season with the team. "He was one of the coaches that brought out the best in people and made them the most confident when they were going [into] games," Kheng shared.

"I have had the privilege of coaching both boys and girls volleyball for the past 34 years," Miller said. "Volleyball has been a huge part of my life and has provided opportunities that I would not have otherwise had." He and his wife have both retired, and the couple moved to North Carolina this spring but temporarily returned to Colorado so that Miller could finish his last season of coaching. According to Niwot High School Athletic Director Joe Brown, a new coach has not yet been hired.

Looking ahead, the volleyball team has goals for next season. Kheng explained, "I'd say everyone always wants to make it to State, but I feel like if you put a goal so far out like that, then you'll lose sight of the games that you have to win to get there." He said he would like to focus on establishing a team-wide positive mentality.

Kirtland is also looking forward to the next season stating, "As a senior I hope to embrace the leadership role, as well as play every point like it's my last."