It was a homecoming that Mason Metcalf really looked forward to.

The University of Brandon Bobcats men’s volleyball team made the trip to Carman Collegiate for a intrasquad match last Tuesday.

“Amazing,” said Metcalf prior to the start of warmup. “To comeback to where the roots are – it’s great.”

The Bobcats middle hitter, who is starting his third year at BU, helped his Carman Cougars captured the Provincial “AA” High School Volleyball Championship banner in his grade 12 year.

Metcalf was named the Most Valuable Player at the Provincials that were held in his home gym in Carman and he was also selected the MHSAA “AA” Male Athlete of the Year.

After graduation it was off to Brandon.

“There’s a big jump from high school to university volleyball,” said Metcalf. “I think I’ve adapted well but all my progress has to go to my coaches and my family for pushing me.”

That first year of university ball was memorable.

“You get to see some of the best volleyball players in Canada,” Metcalf said. “Not even just in Canada, from across the world come to play at the U sports level. It was quite the eye-opener."

This past August, Metcalf made his first trip outside North America as he was on Canada’s volleyball roster for the 29th World Summer University Games in Taipei City.

“It was an unbelievable experience to be able to play there and at that level,” said Metcalf. “Something that I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do again so that was an amazing experience. The university’s best across the world all playing against each other – it was really good.”

And now there's a friendly sibling rivalry in the Can West Athletic Conference.

Younger brother Rylan has started his freshman year at the University of Regina.

“I’m proud of him,” said the older brother. “To be able to compete at this level of volleyball is great for him and I can’t wait to play them.”

The first time the Bobcats and Cougars meet in a conference match is November 16th & 17th in Regina.“

It’s going to be a blast,” said Mason who thanks to the wonders of technology, has already enjoyed a couple of video game sessions with his younger brother. “I’ve never played against him in any sport so to able to compete at that level with my brother is going to be awesome.”

The Bobcats were swept in two straight by the University of British Columbia in the quarterfinals of the 2017 Canada West playoffs in Vancouver.

Both matches went five sets.

“I feel confident in our team,” said Metcalf. “We have a great group of guys and I think we can do very well this year.”