Giles eager to take coaching reins at Franklin

<p>Franklin’s new volleyball coach doesn’t need to worry about people questioning her loyalty to the program. Jess Giles is a Grizzly Cub through and through.</p><p>Still not quite six years removed from her last kill as a high school player, Giles, twice the Daily Journal’s Player of the Year, was announced as Franklin’s new head coach in December.</p><p>When it comes to the intricacies of sport she started playing as a fifth-grader, the former Jess Admire is wise beyond her years.</p><p>“I’ve had a ton of technical training and know how to make practices effective. I was around a lot of great coaches growing up,” Giles said. “I like to divide practices by position and go through scenarios. There’s always going to be logic behind my decisions.”</p><p>Like all fall coaches, the 23-year-old Giles looks forward to the upcoming season, one that promises to look different in one way or another due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>She chooses to remain optimistic.</p><p>“I’m excited. Obviously, I’m a cheerer and will probably be jumping up and down on the sideline,” Giles said. “But I think teaching volleyball is my favorite part. We’re going to have girls who are seniors and juniors who have a great technical foundation and understand the game.”</p><p>That group includes senior Cami Kelsay, whose 299 kills played a big part in Franklin winning its sixth consecutive Mid-State Conference championship last fall. The Grizzly Cubs have won their last 38 league matches, a streak that began during Giles’ senior year.</p><p>Giles, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, was part of Franklin’s last sectional championship squad as a freshman. The 2011 Grizzly Cubs, coached by current Center Grove coach Chris Due, made it to the Seymour Regional before losing to Shelbyville in four sets.</p><p>Franklin’s record during Giles’ career was 101-33.</p><p>Giles played one season at Butler before transferring to Indiana University, where she played her sophomore and junior seasons for the Hoosiers.</p><p>“I coached Jess her first year of club volleyball as a 13-year-old. Knowing I’m going to be coaching against her makes me feel a little old,” said Due, the Grizzly Cubs coach from 2010 through 2013. “It’s just Jess’ love for the game and attention to detail.</p><p>“She was like a sponge. She wanted knowledge. With her playing college volleyball, she’s had the opportunity to see how it’s done not just for three months, but pretty much year-round.”</p><p>Giles currently works as the executive director at Downtown Discover Franklin.</p><p>Among Giles’ assistant coaches this season will be 2014 Franklin graduate Tara Parmer, a former libero and three-sport athlete for the Grizzly Cubs.</p><p>Having known Giles since middle school, Parmer is just as excited to get started. Fall sports teams were allowed to meet for the first time on Monday, according to IHSAA guidelines.</p><p>“Jess is going to be a huge asset to the Franklin volleyball program. She’s a very good example of someone who stays in the gym until she achieves that goal,” said Parmer, who won 10 varsity letters as a Grizzly Cub before playing basketball at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.</p><p>“She’s just a very energetic and motivating person.”</p>