MARION, Ind. - With the GLEC season ending Saturday, the Wildcats only had three games this week. Those three games marked the end of the regular season for all three Esports.
Valorant kicked things off with a match against Tennessee on Monday. Despite being heavy favorites, the Wildcats struggled with the Volunteers on map 1, Bind. They eventually forced overtime, but lost the set 15-13. From there, Tennessee took all momentum and locked up the second map, Ascent. The 0-2 loss was the first 0-2 loss in the NECC for the Wildcats since last Fall. Even with the loss, the Wildcats easily locked up a playoff spot in the Central Conference playoffs. They will be the #3 seed and will take on #6 SIUC on Monday night.
Then, Smash Bros. took on IU Kokomo on Tuesday in their final game of the Fall season. Despite a rough first set, the Wildcats brought things back in the second set. Captain
Jourdain Brown, "Dain", led a comeback to take IU Kokomo to their last stock and last hit, but was unfortunately knocked out at the very end. This concludes the Fall season for Smash Bros., who will be back in action in January.
Finally, Rocket League closed off the week with their match against Saginaw Valley State on Thursday. Both teams were playing for a playoff spot, so tensions were high. SVSU started with a 2-1 win in game 1, but the Wildcats answered back in a big way in game 2 with a 4-0 win. However, SVSU would take the lead in game 3 and never looked back, eventually winning the series 3-1 after a 3 minute overtime in game 4. Even with the loss, the Wildcats still managed to secure a playoff spot in the Midwest Conference playoffs thanks to the one game they won in the series. Seeding and matchups will be locked in this weekend, but the Wildcats will almost certainly receive the #7 or #8 seed.
There will be two playoff matches next week for the Wildcats in the NECC, both of which will have a live spectator area for fans to watch the livestream together on-campus! Valorant's match will be livestreamed in the Globe Theater at 8pm on Monday, with Rocket League's location still being decided.
Standuout Wildcats
- While team captain Jourdain Brown, "Dain", took the most stocks for Smash Bros. against IU Kokomo (7), Keyton Tipple, "dmgalak", also had a great performance. Despite not being a starter at the beginning of the season, Tipple started both games against IU Kokomo and took 4 total stocks.
- Valorant's Dynamic Duo of Drew Busman, "Novo", and Mateo Ruffin, "Kryptic", both had one great map against Tennessee this week. Ruffin finished Map 1, Bind, with a 317 average combat score, while Busman posted an 18-15-4 KDA on Ascent.
- It wouldn't be a normal week for Rocket League without Jeb Byrd, "Drybbles", dominating statistically for the Wildcats. This week he posted 6 goals and 14 saves for the Wildcats.
Next Week in Esports
Monday
- NECC Central Conference Valorant Quarterfinals vs. #6 SIUC, 8pm
Thursday
- NECC Midwest Conference Rocket League Quarterfinals, time and opponent TBD
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