Katie Banta has been setting for Alexandra Mateski since seventh grade, and their longtime chemistry is evident.

“I’ve never been separated from her,” said Banta, North Bend’s senior setter. “I’ve been her setter for so long, I know how she wants the ball.”

Mateski, one of the Bulldogs’ high-powered outside hitters, loves that she can trust Banta.

“I know I can count on her to get me the ball,” Mateski said. “It’s nice to get a good set.”

Banta hands her quite a few. In North Bend’s playoff victory over Estacada on Saturday, Mateski had 26 kills. Banta finished the match with an impressive 45 assists.

When they get together on the volleyball court, Banta and Mateski are on the same page, but their personalities are a different story.

“I’d say we’re complete opposites,” Banta said.

Just a glance at their outward appearances proves that. Banta has simple, blond hair, not long and not short, pulled neatly back in a ponytail. Mateski, who at one point had very long, blond hair, currently is sporting a more technicolor mane — bright pink and blue mixed with her natural color. The hair dye was a spur-of-the-moment choice a few weeks ago, and she kept it because the Bulldogs kept winning.

“It scares the other teams,” Banta said, laughing.

Mateski said Banta is more quiet and conservative.

“Conservative? Maybe ... more reserved,” Banta corrected.

“I’m more loud and obnoxious,” Mateski said.

They can’t agree on music, either, with Banta loving classic rock, and Mateski preferring rap. Banta is meticulous about school work, while Mateski doesn’t much care for it.

Mateski gets plenty of credit as she powers the offense, and Banta enjoys being the one behind the scenes, setting her up for the kill.

“Every time I set someone and they pound it to the ground, it’s just awesome,” Banta said.

Mateski likes the release she gets from hitting, and enjoys the accomplishment of outsmarting the blockers and defense. Mateski’s popular nickname, “Super,” would lead people to believe it stems from her impressive play, but the story really is quite different.

When she was about three years old, Mateski enjoyed the movie “Mary Poppins,” and would try to sing the well-known song “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” but couldn’t say the whole word.

“I would run around saying ‘I’m super! I’m super!’” said Mateski, and the nickname began. She said sometimes people don’t understand the nickname when she introduces herself as “Super,” thinking she made it up selfishly. But that’s not her personality, with Banta often speaking for Mateski, who shies away from discussing her own playing abilities.

Banta and Mateski agreed they’re not close friends outside of volleyball, despite the joking, relaxed atmosphere in North Bend’s gym.

“On the court, it’s a really strong relationship,” Mateski said.

“It’s like me and Super are best friends on the court,” Banta said. “But we don’t hang out on weekends.”

That fact doesn’t seem to matter for the Bulldogs, who are bound for the state tournament on Friday night. The girls can agree on one thing: they want to win the 4A state title.

“I want it really bad,” Mateski said.

“I dream about it every night,” Banta added, and Mateski made fun of her for such a cheesy statement. “I do! Well, maybe every other night.”

Mateski pointed out that the two have something else in common, something that has nothing to do with volleyball.

“I think it’s kind of cool we have the same birthday,” she said. “July 21.”

“It’s like we were meant to be together,” Banta said.

And the Bulldogs probably aren’t complaining about that.