PHOTO: HMSELITEPHOTOGRAHY
By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
gmsportsmedia2023@gmail.com
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Natalie Norton is a 6-foot-4 outside hitter at Pantego Christian and while she’s only played two years in high school, this fall will mark her fifth season playing against varsity teams.
But how?
Norton attended Young Women’s Leadership Academy in Grand Prairie prior to the ninth grade. She was there for middle school, but the academy didn’t have a high school. However, while she was in Grand Prairie, the volleyball team was able to play against high schools around the area.
It allowed her to learn and play against high school talent – something that proved beneficial by the time she got to the ninth grade at Pantego. As an eighth grader, Norton finished with a 0.554 hitting percentage (which ranked first in the state by MaxPreps), along with 546 kills in 107 sets registered.
“She’s beyond her years,” Pantego coach Shain Sackett said after a game last season. “It’s made her better mentally and physically. Even in club, Natalie has always played around higher talent all the time and it made her grow up a little faster.”
As a freshman at Pantego, Norton put in 563 kills on 0.332 hitting in 121 sets for the Panthers, who would win 27 matches that season. Norton added 63 aces and 441 digs – making her all-around game very unique.
Pantego didn’t reach 20 wins the previous six seasons before Norton.
She only got better as a sophomore in 2024.
Along with a remarkable 810 kills in 99 sets, Norton hit 0.365 with 434 digs. Her 810 kills ranked second most in the DFW metroplex and her hitting percentage was good for a Top 20 finish in the area.
In two seasons at Pantego, Norton has 1,373 kills, 875 digs and 101 aces while hitting 0.351.
The Panthers went 25-7 last season.
“I think playing varsity in seventh and eighth grade, it really helped me understand the environment and style of play from the hitters at that age – the juniors and seniors – and it really helped me on defense especially learning how to block at the net,” Norton said in 2024.
Her freshman year was capped off with an All-American selection and she’s currently ranked in the Top 15 of all Texans in the 2027 class. In the classroom, Norton holds a solid 4.0 grade point average.
“Being in that role with that expectation has been good for her,” Sackett added. “She expects more of herself which is a good thing. Natalie continues to work on being in that upper level, elite hitters and she has the body for it plus her arm swing and the knowledge she brings. Natalie has a unique way at approaching this game and we connect on the mental aspect. I can trust her and she can trust me.”
In June, Norton announced her commitment to Gonzaga.
Gonzaga has struggled the past decade, but Norton is definitely a player that can help change the foundation of the volleyball program.
“I am incredibly blessed and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career by playing Division 1 volleyball at Gonzaga University! I want to thank my parents and coaches for all their support over the past years! Go ZAGS!” – Norton on X (@NatalieNorton71)
