By Jeff D'Andrea

Smashing Bananas have strong finish at nationals

May 22, 2013 | 12:05 PM

Not only did the Prince Albert U15 Smashing Bananas qualify for the Volleyball Canada U15 national championship in Regina this weekend, they proved themselves they belonged—even among the biggest teams in the country.

The Smashing Bananas finished fifth out of 32 teams after qualifying for the tournament’s top tier playoffs, a group that was otherwise represented by large metropolitans.

“Typically, all the teams in the top tier were all from Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Vancouver—we were the only team from a small centre,” said Smashing Bananas coach Rene Quintal. “I think it’s just that level of experience our boys have from starting at a younger age.

“(Before the tournament), we played up a level in competition, we were playing athletes that were higher than us this year, that allowed us to play at a higher level.”

Despite coming from a place whose population would be a neighbourhood in their opponent’s cities, the Smashing Bananas showed they belonged and finished just one win away from medal contention.

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“We’re disappointed in the fact that we didn’t have a chance to play for a medal, but we’re really proud with the effort that we exerted all weekend long,” said Smashing Bananas coach Rene Quintal. “We proved that our kids here are as good as any kids in the country right now.”

Two of the Smashing Bananas players that made the most attention were Connor Murray and Evan Parchomchuk, where most of the Smashing Bananas offence came from.

“Our two outside hitters Connor Murray and Evan Parchomchuk did a great job scoring points for us,” said Quintal. “The tournament all-star team was only selected from teams that were in the top four, but without a doubt, they’re at that same level. They’re all-stars, if not at a higher level right now.”

The Smashing Bananas finished first in their round robin pool with a 2-1 record, and second in their power pool, also with a 2-1 record.

They were eliminated in the playoffs rounds by the LVC Fire from London, Ont., the tournament’s eventual bronze medal winning team. The Smashing Bananas beat London in their first game of the tournament 25-21, 9-25, 15-5.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea