Last season, Brisbane, Australia native Ben Carleton became the first international player to suit up for the U of M men's volleyball roster in over a decade.

As a true freshman, he saw time in 15 matches, transitioning from middle — a position he had played for most of his career — to outside attacker.

Carleton came on strong in the second half of the season, recording 42 of his 62 kills in the final five weekend matchups, including a dominant 16 kill, ten dig and four block performance against Saskatchewan in January of 2019.

While his execution on the court in year one displayed flashes of brilliance, Carleton struggled at times to connect with his new group of teammates, a subject he and Bisons head coach Garth Pischke discussed extensively as the year went along.

"Probably the second half of the season, coach and I had quite a few meetings just between ourselves sort of discussing my mentality. I think one of the things I sort of struggled on last year was coming from a different country where I'm the only Australian here," he noted.

"It was a whole new world. I came in and was like okay, I've got to do me. I've got to impress these guys. Throughout the year obviously I got closer to the guys, but one thing that Garth really pushed on me is that it is a team game. Even though I knew that, when he said that it was like wait, you're right.

Compared to last year — the guys have always been my best friends — but now it's like a family, which it should be. Your team is your family. That aspect of the game is what he's been pushing on me and it has definitely helped me get better."

Carleton's offseason development was also aided by his experiences playing on Australia's U23 squad during the summer.

The team had a two-week prep camp in Canberra before heading off to the U23 Asian Men's Championships in in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar in early August. The squad topped pool A, with Carleton playing a key role defensively in a five-set thriller against the hosts along the way.

Australia eventually fell in the quarterfinals 3-1 to a scrappy India team, however the experience was invaluable for Carleton as he returned to Manitoba for year two.

"They're not the tallest teams. From home, what we sort of pride ourselves on is having a tall team. I'm 6'6" and I would be considered short almost. We have guys who are 6'8" or 6'9". Not that the other Asian teams are short by any stretch, they have quite a few tall people too but it's just the speed of them and the connection.

They run all different combos and stuff and it's pretty unexpected, honestly. It was surprising. Obviously, we always watch video on the teams before the game, but when it gets to the game it's still this whole new world. Compared to the Canadian, Australian or American side where it's big or strong, they're fast and will hit around and do all these different things. We had to really adjust to that."

Carleton missed a few games early in the 2019-20 campaign due to an ankle sprain but has been lights out ever since. In eight matches he's already equalled his kill total from the year before, while also sliding back into the middle when needed due to injuries.

The past two weekends against Calgary and Thompson Rivers in particular have showcased just how much Carleton can be a game-changer at the university level for a Bisons team that currently sit in the middle of the Canada West standings at 7-7.

Over that span of time — playing both middle and left side — Carleton has logged 41 kills, 15 total blocks and nine service aces while hitting above 30 percent in all four games. He had the best game of his Bisons career in the Jan. 11 matchup against TRU, tallying a career-high 18 kills and 21.5 points.

The enhanced relationship that Carleton has with his teammates — specifically starting setter Jack Mandryk — has been huge..

"Jack and I have just really been talking about everything and really getting that connection, regardless as to whether it's middle or left side. We've been really focusing on that."

An enhanced relationship with Pischke, not just one the court but also off of it has also done wonders for the Australian.

"I've seen a huge improvement from Ben, not just athletically but attitude-wise," the veteran bench boss says.

"He's really starting to buy into the team concept, which is everything in this game. You can't win with individuals out there any time and he's really worked hard on that part of his game and it has improved his overall game because of it. I think he's really got a lot of potential to go a long way in this sport as long as he keeps the understanding that he needs to be doing things for the team before himself."

While Carleton — who's now living in a house with teammate Amirali Paknahad and a few others — has gotten comfortable with most aspects of Manitoba, he admitted that he's still adjusting to one key element of 204 living.  

"It's still really cold," he says with a smile.

Nonetheless, things are falling into place otherwise for Carleton and his Bisons teammates as they prepare to host nationals from March 13-15.

"Manitoba is nice. It feels like a second home, easily. The team for me is like family now. I think that's one of the things that our team has over any other team. We love each other pretty much you could say. We hang out a lot. I'd say our team room is where we go just to hang out between classes. That's what we love to do is just hang out with each other. We wouldn't prefer to be anywhere else, unless we're getting food or something."