When Orange Lutheran senior Logan Busch arrived on campus as a freshman, his focus was on basketball, a sport he had been playing since the third grade.
 
But he also plays volleyball for the Lancers, and by his sophomore year, Busch realized that volleyball had become more than just a secondary sport – it was his true passion.
 
"I like the team and the camaraderie," says Busch of volleyball. "It's fun being on a team that's supportive. It's about energy, and it's about consistency…The sport is new to me, and everything's getting more fun."
 
Busch is an outside hitter for OLu, a position he enjoys for its versatility and the way it provides him the chance to experience every aspect of the game. The dynamic nature of the role allows him to contribute and support his teammates in a variety of ways.
 
"I like playing outside because you get a little bit of everything," says Busch. "You get to do all the roles, and it's very multi-positional."
 
As a captain for the Lancers, Busch wants to see his team succeed on the court by showing a level of maturity, humility and professionalism that sets them apart. The two-year varsity player leads with energy and is there to cheer on his teammates through the ups and downs of the sport.
 
"Logan is a pivotal player for us," says OLu boys volleyball head coach Henry Valiente. "He leads our team as a steady captain, and he knows how to lead in a way where it's respectful, yet assertive. Logan has put in the work and has transformed himself into a top notch volleyball player. This year has been a delight to have Logan flourish in his role."
 
Busch's faith also influences how he leads his teammates, and he is grateful to be in a program where he can exercise his faith openly.
 
"Staying on top of my faith has helped me as an athlete," says Busch. "I think it comes out now more than ever, especially as a captain…Having a team that we can pray for before and after games and pray for injuries, pray for well-being of the other team and our own team is huge when it comes to volleyball."
 
Some of Busch's favorite memories with the OLu boys volleyball program have been during the team's annual trip to the Hawaii Invitational Tournament hosted by Iolani School in Honolulu, Hawaii. While his path to volleyball was unexpected, the sport has taught him plenty of life lessons, including consistency and professionalism.
 
"No matter what I'm doing, I need to be consistent, but I also need to be a professional about it," says Busch.
 
Since he is newer to the sport, Busch believes he has several playing years ahead of him. His current plans are to pursue welding technology training at a community college while continuing to play volleyball.
 
Busch is grateful to his coaches who have created an environment for him to succeed as a volleyball player. He is appreciative of the spiritual guidance provided by Adam Dougherty, who serves as the Director of Christian Education at Salem Lutheran. And he values how his parents have supported him and provided him with opportunity and encouragement.
 
"They've always been role models for me," says Busch of his mother and father. "They raised me and made me who I am. Going back to my faith and how I interpret and handle situations, I give thanks to them for that."