Quesnel sent down 11 pickleball players to the 55+ BC Games in Kelowna two weeks ago, and four of them managed to come home with some medals to add to their trophy cabinets.
Marie Murray and Jill Walker won silver in the Women’s Double 2.75 level, and Veiko Paivinen and Mark Forsythe captured bronze in the Men’s Doubles at the 3.25 level.
The Observer caught up with Murray and Walker to discuss the experience.
The pair were extremely pleased with the result at their first tournament but admitted it was not an easy feat.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking and intimidating,” says Murray, adding the pair are used to a more leisurely style of play on their home courts.
Walker says it was a blast watching all the great athletes play.
“It was amazing seeing the level of competition and the quality of play,” she says. “They were fabulous players.”
The team played five games in total against the four teams at their level. The tournament started with three round-robin matches, and then they played two more games to get to the medals.
The pair faced many challenges, but both agree the nerves were the most pressing.
“You’re up against people you’ve never played before,” says Murray, “so you really don’t know what you’re in for. When we play in Quesnel, we know each other and it’s pretty easygoing and relaxing, but when you’re out of town, it’s a little different.”
Both players agree that they hope to play in some more tournaments in the near future.
READ MORE: Thirty-one players compete in first Billy Barker Days Pickleball Tournament in Quesnel
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