Along with being a standout center back on Park Tudor's back-to-back Class 1A state championship girls' soccer team, the 6-foot senior has also gotten her kicks on the gridiron.
"It kind of started as a joke during the summer of my sophomore year," Dill recalled. "However, (Park Tudor football) Coach (Spencer) Summerville told me we (the team) actually needed a kicker. Everyone kept asking me if I was going to do it, so after thinking it over, I decided to follow through with it."
She has proved to be a difference maker by converting 49-of-54 extra-points in 2022 to help the Panthers claim their first Class 1A sectional crown since 2005.
Last fall garnered more accolades as she connected on 45-of-57 extra-points as well as a 35-yard field goal to guide the club to an unbeaten regular season and their second straight Class 1A sectional title.
"A lot of the credit goes to my kicking coach, Mark Hagee," Dill said. "Besides giving me direction and helping me be a better kicker, he really treats me like his daughter. He cares about me as a person and challenges me to be a better person, not just football player.
"The difference between soccer and football is my foot to ball contact because I hit the ball differently in each sport. There is also definitely a lot less running for me in football than there is in soccer."
Having Dill around has benefited everyone on the football team in many ways.
"Paige is relentlessly positive," explained Spencer Summerville. "She shows up every day, smiling and joking, but still locked-in. She doesn't complain and is willing to do the work necessary to be great. For her to keep her pleasant blend of positivity and goofiness, while grinding so hard at the same time, is very impressive. One of the things I say to the team on game day is 'You're better with a smile. Play with a smile on your face.' I think that Paige is one of the kids who has inspired me to think that way."
Juggling her responsibilities on the pitch and the football field has not proven to be an issue to this point.
After having three goals and two assists as a sophomore, she came up with 18 goals and nine assists in 2023.
"I guess I just don't overwork myself," explained Dill. "That's my main goal with regards to balance as long as I don't freak out and take it one thing at a time. I also have my social aspects of life and that is a huge part of keeping me relaxed with so many other things."
Since the age of three years old when she first started experimenting with a soccer ball, Paige has developed a strong passion for athletics.
"The toughest thing for me is knowing when to stop competing," explained Dill, who also participates in track and field. "There have been so many times that I want to continue and fix things in the moment. But if I do it too much, it may hurt me. Sometimes I have to be okay with ending on a bad note and come back to reset for the next day.
"I am really passionate about sports, so maintaining a positive attitude has really helped. Always getting the practice in, but not just one skill at a time. Knowing how to defend is great understanding for how to score."
Finding a happy medium between high and lows has also proven to be beneficial to remain in the right mind frame.
"Mentally, I just try to keep a positive attitude as well," Dill said. "I have to remind myself that there are some things out of my control, so I try not to worry about those. Instead, I think about technique and tell myself to keep calm. I have to make sure I eat well and sleep the night before. Once kickoff comes around, I just try to stay cool.
"Other teammates recognize or know the situation better than me, and they have always been supportive. One thing I remember is against Traders Point Christian a few years ago when the game was coming down to a kick in the end. Bryson Hobbs, who is currently a sophomore playing on the defensive line at Youngstown State, came up to me and told me, 'It's just a kick. We got you no matter what.' I have never forgotten that."
After leaning on others in the past, Dill now relishes the opportunity to be a leader on and off the field.
"I want to be the best athlete I can and do my best to uplift my teammates," Dill said. "Through both soccer and football, I also want to make sure I communicate with my teammates and encourage them to be their best too."
Before moving on, Paige would love to keep the good times going on both playing fields.
"I think winning two (soccer) state titles was both crazy and incredible," Dill stated. "Especially the second year when we were a little less confident in our chances. However, I really just love the team and my teammates more than the titles.
"It's incredible to think that I even get a chance to play football. This means more to me than the number of kicks I have made. I don't think about that. I just smile at the people around me and am thankful for the experience and the journey."
Things are off to a good start as she has made five of her six extra-points heading into Park Tudor's (2-0) home contest with Indianapolis Shortridge (1-0) on September 6.
One of her future goals is to get the chance to continue kicking somewhere next fall.
"Hopefully, I have an opportunity to play at the next level," Dill said. "I'm really interested in a chance to kick football in college as a walk-on. The other part is being an inspiration to other girls who want to kick and play football."
