The Bisons men's volleyball team announced today the commitment of provincial champions Liam Mancer and Nathan Brzak. The pair of local standouts most recently won provincial gold at the MHSAA 4A level with the St. Paul's Crusaders. 

"We are thrilled to have Liam and Nathan join the Herd next season," said Bisons head coach Arnd 'Lupo' Ludwig. "Both athletes have been on our radar for a while now, and we see a bright future ahead for the two of them. We're really excited with how the 2026 class is shaping up, and these two athletes will continue to elevate the Bisons program for the years ahead."

Mancer is a 6'7" outsider hitter who earned MVP honours at provincials for St. Paul's helping the team to gold one year after advancing to the finals, while earning all-star status. He was also a provincial club champion at the 17U level with WinMan Strike in 2025, and was the 2025 Volleyball Manitoba Athlete of the Year. 

"Liam really took a big step this past summer training with the Canada Games team, which was a great chance for him to train with the best athletes in the province. He was one of the youngest members of the team, so to work with older athletes at that age is a great challenge," Ludwig added.

"Liam had been on our radar for a while, and [Assistant Coach] Austin [Cadieux-Coombes] was one of the coaches with that team this summer, he kept saying how much better Liam was getting every practice and it just became more and more of a priority to make sure he joined the program."

Mancer's family has a long-term connection to the Herd. His grandfather Terry Mancer was a member of the 1965 national championship-winning Bisons men's hockey team, and was later inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame along with his teammates. 

"I'm lucky to have the chance to further my volleyball career close to home with a team that has top notch coaching and outstanding team culture," said Mancer. 

"The Bisons program is ideally suited to help me reach my athletic potential and academic goals. I'm excited to be joining the team and hope to make a meaningul contribution."

 Brzak is a 6'0" libero who, along with provincial champ status with St. Paul's, has also been a club provincial all-star and provincial finalist with the Junior Bisons (also played for 204 Volleyball Club). Brzak was the captain of the 17U Junior Bisons, and the captain of the Cru's 2025-26 4A provincial championship squad. 

"Nate is a product of our Junior Bisons programming and a sign of how that program is designed to develop athletes to compete at the U SPORTS level," said Ludwig.

"Nate has been an incredibly hard worker at every stage of his career and really took flight under the tutelage of our Junior Bisons staff. His leadership skills are something we were really attracted to and something that will help to continue to elevate our culture." 

In the classroom, the Winnipeg native has averaged above 90 percent every year, and he is currently Student Council President at St. Paul's. 

"The University of Manitoba has always been my goal, and after getting to know the team and coaching staff, I'm even more confident that this is the perfect fit for me to grow as both an athlete and a student," he said.