BANFF – Pearce Eshenko won’t have much time for drawn-out goodbyes with his fans and teammates of the S.L Benfica men’s volleyball team in Portugal.
Instead, for the six-foot-nine middle blocker from Banff will rush to the to the airport and fly to Canada at season’s end to join the national team that’s started to get ready for the biggest sports event every four years.
“I won’t really have much of a holiday this year, but it is what it is – it’s an Olympic year,” said Eshenko.
Having already qualified to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, the Canadian men’s indoor squad can relax knowing they've made it to the big show. But still, there are a few crucial months ahead for the 18-man team during the Olympic selection process when the roster is shaved down to an exclusive club of 12.
If asked a few years ago, the towering 26-year-old Eshenko would probably have different feelings and thoughts about being included on the 18-man roster and gaining experience with the top Canadians. But in 2024 and in his prime, the former Banff Bear has no qualms about his intentions of being a first-time Olympian this July and he knows the competition is about to heat up among the stereotypically nice Canucks to get fierce – on the court.
“Now it’s about … being named to each week’s roster [for Volleyball Men’s Nations League] and then playing good enough to be named to the Olympic roster, which will come out in early July,” said Eshenko.
“That’s been the goal since I started playing back when I was 16.”
Under head coach Tuomas Sammelvuo, the senior men start Volleyball Nations on May 21 with matches in Turkey, the Philippines and Ottawa.
Eshenko is best utilized at the net where, as one of the tallest Canadians on the team, he’s able to defend against and block offensive attacks.
With a team rich of talent, every member on Canada’s 18-man roster is coming from a professional background, which will make things tougher – and more intriguing – when it comes time to figure out who’s going to Paris.
When he finally walks through the doors of the national team’s practice later this week, Eshenko said he’s looking forward to rekindling old friendships after spending a season away in Lisbon, Portugal. He’s also ready for the competitiveness that will help unite the team on the world stage.
“I think naturally when you walk through those doors it’s pretty intense, it’s a pretty aggressive environment and I have been doing everything I absolutely can to be as dialed as possible for the day I actually do walk in the door,” said Eshenko. “When it comes, I don’t think it’s going to be something difficult to do. I think I’ll be able to jump in pretty easily.”
Having said that, Eshenko thinks a friendly rivalry setting will bring out the best in everyone.
“It’s a fine balance for me when dealing with that kind of situation,” said Eshenko.
“I’m not doing as much to compare myself to the other athletes on the list but instead looking at competing along with them and, in turn, I know that’s going to make our team a lot better and really that’s all I can ask for. Volleyball Canada, I want them to be successful as well. It’s not just my dream.”
Paris 2024 runs from July 27 to Aug. 11. Twelve men’s volleyball teams will compete for gold, with France, the host nation, automatically getting a berth in the tournament. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, the Canadian men finished eighth.
