UNC Asheville Esports Earns Top Big South Finishes

UNC Asheville’s League of Legends Varsity Esports Team wins championship, Mike Islas named MVP in the Big South Conference

By UNC Asheville

April 12^th, 2024

UNC Asheville Esports teams earned several top finishes in the inaugural Big South Conference Esports Championship only months after the University launched its Esports program.

The UNC Asheville esports team currently has over 25 members who compete in five different games. At the Big South Championship, UNC Asheville fielded teams in Overwatch2, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Valorant.

The League of Legends team won the championship, and UNC Asheville junior Mike Islas won MVP.

“The championship game for League of Legends lasted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and you could not drag us away from the screen,” said Cain Galeota, UNC Asheville junior and Valorant team manager. “Having everybody cheering and screaming the whole time and desperately waiting for the results really made you feel a part of something.”

The League of Legends team holding the Big South first place trophy.

Islas helped call shots and lead a team with a much wider array of skill levels than their opponents for hours. By the end, he was exhausted, and other teammates stepped up to lead.

“A lot of our preparation was mental. A part of playing competitively, and especially on stage, is building confidence. I wanted to make sure everyone knew they were good enough and belonged on the stage,” said Islas.

UNC Asheville students at the Big South Esports Tournament at Radford University.

Several other UNC Asheville esports teams claimed top places. The Overwatch team won second place, the Valorant team took third, and the Rocket League team won fourth place.

“The chance to travel and play other colleges in person was a great experience for everyone involved,” said Grant Grunau, a sophomore League player. “I felt that this tournament at Radford was an amazing bonding experience between everyone involved with UNC Asheville Esports, and I feel that I made a lot of friends.”

UNC Asheville launched the Esports program in Fall 2023 through Campus Recreation. Within a month, five teams were formed, and by the end of the semester over 30 students were involved.

“Everybody is very passionate about improving and working to make the program the best it could be, while also still maintaining a good time and really awesome friendships,” said Galeota.

And now, after taking down High Point University to secure the League of Legends win, the teams are determined to continue challenging their new rival: High Point.

“Everyone currently on the team is grinding to rank up and improve for the next season; this match lit a fire under all of us,” said Islas. “I also know that our win inspired every UNC Asheville team at the conference to play their best and live up to what we pulled off in the League series.”

The League of Legends team holding their first-place finish trophy.

The Overwatch and League of Legends teams will play at a tournament on April 21 and 20, and Smash has a tournament at Carowinds this weekend.

Nicholas Braylan, the campus recreation assistant director who oversees Esports and Sports, has several goals for the Esports Center, such as continuing to add popular games, forming additional teams that allow for different skill levels, and being a resource for middle and high school students.

“I would love the Esports Center to be a place for all students and University participants to be able to host events, team build, enjoy their time, and access a resource they may not have, accommodating not just competitive but also club gaming and those who want to decompress or pass the time between classes,” said Braylan.

UNC Asheville students competing at the Big South Esports tournament

Esports is actively recruiting students for their varsity teams. Interested students can see more information and apply here. Or, students can check out the Esports Center located in the Student Recreation Center just past the front desk. The center is open to all students Monday-Thursday, 3-10 p.m. and Friday, 3-8 p.m.

Footnotes

By Addison Wright, '24

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FootNotes

By Addison Wright, '24

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UNC Asheville Esports Earns Top Big South Finishes

UNC Asheville’s League of Legends Varsity Esports Team wins championship, Mike Islas named MVP in the Big South Conference

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