Valparaiso University Rocket League Claims NECC Midwest Challenger Championship
The Valparaiso University Varsity Rocket League team secured a decisive victory in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Midwest Challenger division on April 12th, 2024. This championship win marks a significant achievement for the program.
Team Roster and Coaching Staff:
- Junior Captain: Soren “MasterSeb” Burkholder
- Sophomore: Joshua “Jank” Cronin
- Junior: Xander “obliviouX” Gring
- Senior Substitute: Thomas “thomas” Hohnholt
- Head Coach: Jeff Molitsky
- Assistant Coach: Kole Johnson
Dominating the Regular Season and Playoffs:
The Varsity Rocket League team established themselves as a force to be reckoned with throughout the regular season. Competing within the Midwest Challengers Conference against universities like Mizzou, Bradley, and Saint Ambrose, they finished the regional division as the second seed, earning a coveted playoff spot.
Entering the playoffs seeded fourth, they faced a series of challenging opponents. They emerged victorious in the quarterfinals against Carrol University (3-1) and staged a remarkable upset against top-seeded Northern Illinois University in the semifinals (4-2).
A Rewarding Rematch in the Finals:
The championship match presented a chance for redemption against Bradley University, who had previously defeated Valpo during the regular season. However, drawing upon their recent success in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) where they had prevailed against Bradley (3-0), the Valparaiso team displayed exceptional resilience and strategic brilliance.
Despite conceding the first two games of the best-of-seven series, the team rallied with exceptional defensive maneuvers, flawless technical execution, and seamless teamwork. This decisive shift in momentum propelled them to win the subsequent four games and clinch the championship title with a final score of 4-2.
Looking Ahead to the MVC Playoffs:
The Varsity Rocket League team basks in this well-deserved victory and now sets its sights on the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Playoffs, scheduled for April 20th, 2024, at Illinois State University. With their championship momentum and honed skills, they are poised for continued success in these upcoming competitions.