In a Historic Season, Valpo League of Legends is on the Precipice of Perfection

Perfection is the pinnacle of any sport, but a peak that few reach. When Valpo Esports’ League of Legends team faces off against Bradley University on Wednesday, they have the opportunity to join the few at the top. After finishing the regular season 7-0, Valpo picked up two postseason victories and now only the NECC Great Lakes Emergents championship remains.

“The win streak isn’t something we really think about,” toplaner Jacob “Dreadful” Felix said. “Our focus has just been on improving week by week.”

This semester, the squad made massive strides forward. In a historic season, they’ve reached several milestones regardless of the result of Wednesday’s game.

“This year is the first time we’ve even made it to the semifinals, let alone the finals,”  head coach Chase “Blade” Ludington said. “It really means a lot to me as a coach and would mean even more if we can win tomorrow.”

Last week, Valpo took on in-state rival Bethel University in the semifinals. The Beacons fought from behind to comeback and win in the first game which lasted almost forty minutes. In the next game, they came out on top more decisively to win the series 2-0.

Coming into the semester, improvement felt inevitable with the core group all in their second year with the team. Last year’s downswing can be explained by so many new players acclimating to the competitive environment. A shift that Coach Blade knows to be significant.

“The more competitive games we can get our players, the better,” Blade said. “Playing in these conferences is so different from playing solo. Now that most of these players are sophomores, they have a full year of experience to draw on.”

Another big change from last season is the move to a new esports lab. The space in the basement of the Harre Union serves a big upgrade. The lab added coaches’ offices, study spaces, and more computers. 

“The new lab feels more like a gathering space,” Dreadful said. “We are actually able to hang out and spend time at the esports lab outside of practices and games. It brings a lot more coherence to the team.”

New lab, new experiences, new team. Leading up to the championship, the mood is an air of calmness. Of course they are preparing for the big game, but the team isn’t feeling any pressure.

“This is nothing I would have ever expected after missing the playoffs last year. Something kind of clicked this season and we are constantly on the same page,” Dreadful said. “Reaching finals is something we want to make an every year occurrence.”

Overall, the team is enjoying the huge bounce back from the spring season. Win or lose, Valpo wants to make championship games the new normal.

Story by: Michael Trevithick