Manitoba Bisons setter Jack Mandryk and left side Owen Schwartz go way back.

The duo, who won a provincial volleyball title together in high school while at Lord Selkirk Regional, have known each other since they were four years old.

Their bond was strengthened by many years on Dogtooth Lake in Ontario.

"We always kind of stayed friends, even when we were younger," says Mandryk.

"We started becoming family friends and we'd always go camping in the summers to a place in Ontario called Luther Village. Every summer for a week, we'd just spend all week together."

It was during these family trips that the pair honed their skills as volleyball players.

"There was a lot of playing 1v1, so bump to yourself, set to yourself and hit it over to your friend," Schwartz added.

"I think that's where I got my sense of ball control from and just a good feel for the ball and knowing exactly where it's going to go and the angle."

The two third-years on Manitoba's roster are involved in the sport nonstop. When they're not in season with the Bisons, they're strengthening their bond in beach volleyball, where they also claimed the provincial title in high school.

"We've played beach together since grade seven, up until last year and we'll probably play again next year," Schwartz says.

"We were in two leagues last year so basically March until August. I think beach is a great way to hone your skills for passing and out of system bump setting. It all goes back to that."

For Mandryk, beach provides him with the chance to work on his attack. This is partially due to having a teammate with immense size.

"I love to play beach because I'm a setter, so I don't get to hit much. But in beach when they see little Jack or 6'4" Owen, they tend to serve at me more, so it's just a heyday for me. I just get to go up and hit as many balls as I want. Owen is such a good setter and puts me in the right spot on the beach every time. I absolutely love playing beach with him."

When it comes to the Bisons however, Mandryk is more than happy to be the man dishing to his teammates. He finished 12^th in the conference in assists as a rookie, with 430 and moved up one position a year ago after recording 520.

"I like being a setter because you're always part of the play and you always get to pump your hitters up," he says.

"The ball gets to them and then they just get to kill it. It's the most rewarding feeling as a setter to have your guy crush a ball."

In the case of Schwartz, Mandryk doesn't have to worry about where he'll be on the court. Having played together for so long, the chemistry is already there.

"With [Owen] it's almost a sense of security. I just know exactly what to expect from him and he almost always performs and does a great job."

Schwartz echoed his long-time friend's sentiments.

"When we both got recruited, it was such an awesome feeling knowing that I'd have a guy who I'd been playing with for so long still setting me. Sometimes in practice, Jack will be setting everyone but me, because he knows the connection is always there."

There's no doubt that the connection has been strong for the two, with Schwartz currently second on the team with 33 kills. But it's the versatility that both athletes provide which is just as impressive.

Schwartz had 125 digs a year ago, while he and Mandryk are also both strong off the block. The former already has ten total blocks through four games for a 3-1 Bisons team while also recording 33 in 2018-19.

It's Mandryk's numbers that really jump off the page however. Despite standing at just 5'11" he had 24 total blocks as a rookie, 51 last year – which was second on the team – and eight through the first four games this season.

"We scout our opponents, so knowing their shots and everything is key," noted the setter.

"It's about moving your hands at the last second. Good hitters will see where you are and will just hit around you if you don't move or make a move on them."

While the relationship between the two high-level athletes on the court is strong, it's their relationship amongst not just each other but Manitoba's roster as a whole that helps to make a difference.

"Last year we didn't get to where we wanted to by the end of the season, but it's such a fun group of guys. We're always going to have fun no matter how well we do," says Mandryk.

"What a lot of people don't get is that on the court is the smallest fraction of how much time we actually spend together. It's playing games in the team room or messing around on the airplane or in the airport or hotels. It's so much more than just on the court."

Once again, Schwartz agreed with his comrade's comments.

"I think the reason we're doing so well this year because of how much chemistry we all have. And it's not just me and Jack. It's everybody on the court. We do a lot of things together."