Needham girls volleyball lost its first game of the season Friday, Sept. 18, falling to Brookline in straight sets at the A Gym.

The Warriors swept the Rockets 25-19, 25-20, 25-16, according to MaxPreps. Brookline's Cori Cenac led the attack with seven kills, with Isabella Wong also contributing.

The loss dropped Needham to 3-1.

The Rockets had opened the year with three consecutive wins, including a 3-0 sweep of Milton in their home opener at Needham's A Gym on Thursday, Sept. 17. Junior Arianna Tu dominated from the service line in that match, racking up 16 aces across three sets, including eight in the first set alone. Sophomore Dani Hatziiliades tied Milton's Keira Clark for the game-high with 10 kills and added two aces and two blocks.

Junior MacKenzie Fernandes finished with seven kills against Milton, while sophomore Gabby Kuper chipped in five and junior Sylvie Kim added four. Clark, a senior who will play for Bentley University next fall, led Milton with her 10 kills.

Senior captain Sam Sullivan, sidelined by injury this fall, entered to serve on set point in the first set against Milton before leaving the court. Needham played one down after she stepped off, according to The Needham Channel.

The Brookline result is a reality check for a squad still finding its footing after graduating 12 seniors from a team that went 15-2 last season. That run ended when No. 7 Winchester knocked No. 10 Needham out in the MIAA Division 1 Round of 16.

A rematch with Winchester is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25, at Winchester. Before that, head coach Courtney Todesco's squad travels to Walpole on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Needham faces Weymouth on Tuesday, Sept. 29, then hosts Braintree on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Braintree game will be recorded by The Needham Channel.