Kyle Cooper is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Deer Valley High School for AZPreps365.com

If you were to ask Deer Valley defensive lineman Dillon Buss his favorite sport, he would immediately answer with football. In his third year with the team, Buss has become a leader and is a top player on the team, but he didn't know that volleyball was going to be the motivator for him this season.

Deer Valley swept Northwest Christian last season in the 4A volleyball state championship match. Buss, a sophomore at the time, played a crucial role for the team and discovered that football and volleyball were more similar than different. 

"Football is his passion and sport," Deer Valley volleyball coach Eric Palmer said. "His love for the game translated into volleyball and helped him become a star in his role. He went on to win a state championship, and his passion for the sport and work rate grew as the volleyball season progressed."

Buss stepped in as a sophomore for the Skyhawks volleyball team and found it to be a great sport to take on when he wasn't tackling players for the football team.

Deer Valley outside hitter Dillon Buss (left) talks to his teammate in AIA 4A Final game vs. Northwest Christian. (Mark Jones photo/MaxPreps.com)

"I chose volleyball because it's been in my family," Buss said. "My dad played sand volleyball, and my sister played for Deer Valley a little. I always saw excitement in it with all the big hits and blocks. I've always just found it to be fun.”

He was a valuable addition to the volleyball team as Buss started in multiple positions and stepped up when it mattered most. His performances led him to become a nightly starter. 

"Dillon stepped in and played middle for us," Palmer said. "We moved Dillon to opposite hitter, and he transitioned into that role and became a star. Then we moved him to outside hitter, and that is where he flourished."

Buss joined a varsity team with upperclassman starters, and they welcomed the sophomore with open arms. 

"Others embraced him because he worked hard," Palmer said. "He wanted to win a state championship. He knew how important it was to them to win a state championship. His selflessness, work ethic, and being a great teammate."

Besides his outstanding characteristics, Buss discovered his confidence in winning volleyball games after the Skyhawks football team finished 0-10 last season. 

"Coming off a 0-10 record in football last year and going to win in a different sport made me realize that I can make an impact," Buss said.

Not only was this a great win for the volleyball team but also for Buss and the upcoming football season.

Buss poses with the trophy after Deer Valley won against Northwest Christian. (Mark Jones photo/MaxPreps.com)

"Dillon is one of our top guys," Deer Valley coach Daniel Friedman said. "He brings energy to practice every day and to our games. He's a great kid. He won a state championship in volleyball last year, and that really helped him gain a lot of confidence this year."

Playing the sport helped Buss's mindset when it comes to football this season. As much as football is physical, it is also a mental game for players as they play multiple snaps and have to remain focused. 

"I noticed that in volleyball, if you miss a hit, you have to keep playing," Buss said. "Volleyball is a fast sport. There are no timeouts where the coach calls a different play. That mindset translates to football because if I miss a block, I just focus on the next one. The past mistakes don't matter. What matters is moving forward."

The Skyhawks have continued to look forward as they are 5-3 this season. Physicality and hard-hitting have been significant factors for their success, but none as necessary as leadership. Buss has become a leader and is stepping up for the team. 

"He is very coachable and leaves it all on the field," Friedman said. "For the most part he leads by example and his energy helps the team out tremendously. Every week we pick captains and he has been captain six out of the seven games." 

For Buss, leadership isn't always about being the loudest voice in the room. Buss, while quiet at times, was always the first to show up to volleyball practice and games. He lets his work ethic, effort, and performance do the talking for him. 

But it is more than his production on the court or the field, it's his character. Teammates in both sports want to play alongside the junior. 

"Dillon is a very likable person," Palmer said. "He is funny, likes to joke, and easy to love." 

The volleyball team was all smiles after claiming that championship. For Buss, it was more than a state title, it helped him become the player he is today on the football field. He remembers holding that trophy a season ago when he puts on his helmet.