Franklin senior Zach Newton soars for a spike against North Central on Tuesday.
Rob Baker | For the Daily Journal
Zach Newton’s feet cross the lines of a volleyball court, and immediately the switch is flipped.
Franklin’s normally quiet right-side hitter is now vocal. Upon surveying what’s transpiring on the opposite side of the net — and his own — the team’s 6-foot-4 senior is preparing and motivating teammates.
And then, when the match is over?
“Zach is definitely the heart of our team,” Grizzly Cubs coach Sarah Records said. “He’s my speaking captain. The leadership he has for our team, it’s huge.
“Zach is a super quiet kid everywhere but the volleyball court, which is so much fun to watch. He brings a lot of energy. He’s always setting the example within our program, and is the focal point for what my expectations are, and what it takes to hit that mark.”
Newton’s 210 kills, 15 blocks and 106 digs are among the main reasons Franklin — which will host IBVCA sectional and regional matches next month — held a 19-5 record going into Thursday night’s match at Shelbyville. Of course, no such numbers would exist had it not been for an assist from a teammate.
“I was a sophomore, and our libero, Nik Smock, said I should play volleyball because I’m tall,” Newton said. “I was always a track runner, but I went with some friends to an open gym and really liked it.
“At first, I was really intimidated because I wasn’t nearly as good as I am today. The hardest part for me was getting used to a whole new sport. But I’m really happy (Smock) did. (Volleyball) is going to be a big part of my future.”
According to Records, Newton pretty much remained quiet throughout his first season. He provided 52 kills for a 15-12 finisher, but understood upperclassmen such as Tristan Coleman, Sam Auger, Jayce Miller and Nick Wilson were the team’s go-to talents and leaders.
Then, during one of the Grizzly Cubs’ first preseason practices last spring, it happened. Newton’s on-court persona had done a 180, with him talking up teammates in a way Records had never witnessed.
He finished the season with 246 kills, 36 blocks, 117 digs and 23 service aces.
Being left-handed, Newton might have enjoyed a slight advantage over would-be blockers early in his Franklin career. However, as more Grizzly Cubs matches are played, that lessens, according to Records.
“I would say there’s a slight advantage, just because they are swinging with that opposite arm,” she said. “For Zach, it’s an advantage, but because of his power and his strength, people know who he is. We’ve lost the element of surprise.”
On Feb.26, Newton committed to play men’s volleyball at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio (45 miles west of Columbus), a Division III school that just introduced men’s volleyball during the 2015-16 school year. He signed his letter of intent on Wednesday.
This season’s Tigers, comprised mainly of former Ohio high school players and one Hoosier (former Bishop Chatard outside hitter Michael Yurk), finished the season with a 19-9 record.
“I think it’s really cool,” said Newton, who carries a 3.95 grade-point average and will major in business. “Just to be able to play four more years and see how much I can improve.”
Given the immense strides Newton has made in less than three full seasons of volleyball, predicting him to flourish at the college level isn’t a reach.
“One of Zach’s strengths is just his game knowledge,” Records said. “He’s the one you hear chattering. Zach is incredibly smart in the classroom, and that translates to him being very smart on the court.”
