Esports 10/9/2024 11:36:00 PM

Blinn's Valorant, Overwatch teams earn NACE, NJCAAe victories

The Buccaneers Valorant squad is now 4-0 in NACE matchups this fall

Esports 10/9/2024 11:36:00 PM

Blinn's Valorant, Overwatch teams earn NACE, NJCAAe victories

The Buccaneers Valorant squad is now 4-0 in NACE matchups this fall

Blinn College's esports program had a successful night of play Wednesday as the Buccaneers picked up wins in Valorant and Overwatch action.

Blinn's Valorant squad of Adam Laamoumi, Mason Chandler, Michael Rieger, Angelina Wu, and Katie Beene took down George Mason University 2-1 in a best-of-three National Association of College Esports (NACE) clash.

The Bucs are now 4-0 in NACE league play this fall.

"I am very happy with this week's win, as it was against one of our biggest competitors in the NACE regular season," Blinn head coach and Valorant manager Aaron Kapiko said, "To come out with a win is great, and hopefully we can keep this momentum up for the rest of the regular season and close it out undefeated."

Kapiko also commended the efforts of Chandler, who was promoted from Blinn's junior varsity Valorant team to the varsity squad ahead of Wednesday's tilt.

"He performed exceptionally well in his first varsity match," Kapiko said.

Blinn Valorant continues its season with NACE matchup against James Madison University at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

The Bucs' Overwatch team also found victory with a 3-0 sweep of Western Iowa Tech Community College in a best-of-five NJCAA Esports bout.

Blinn's quintet of Kyoung Lee, Haluk Tanriseven, Matthew Hutchings, Donnivan Straight, and Dhruv Pandrangi earned the win to push the Bucs to 1-1 in the NJCAAe Central Conference.

"We took the series in dominant fashion and showcased our team's strength and cohesion on every map," said Blinn assistant coach and Overwatch manager Kyle Murto. "Our players executed flawlessly, from coordinated pushes to solid defensive holds, and each member of the team played their role to perfection, making it nearly impossible for Western Iowa to find any openings or opportunities to counter. It was a decisive win and the players can be proud of their performance today."

Up next on Blinn's Overwatch schedule is a NACE showdown with St. Claire College at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 49 NJCAA national championships since 1987.

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Players Mentioned

Donnivan Straight: Sophomore; Overwatch

Haluk Tanriseven: Sophomore; Overwatch

Dhruv Pandrangi: Sophomore; Overwatch

Matthew Hutchings: Sophomore; Overwatch

Players Mentioned

Donnivan Straight
: Sophomore; Overwatch

Haluk Tanriseven
: Sophomore; Overwatch

Dhruv Pandrangi
: Sophomore; Overwatch

Matthew Hutchings
: Sophomore; Overwatch