Esports Loses Heartbreaker in Overtime

MCKENZIE, Tenn. - The Bethel Esports program started year two Monday night with a heartbreaking defeat, falling 2-1 0 in a best of three series.

The newest Esports team, the Valorant team made their debut. They played host to Catawba College where they lost a heartbreaker in overtime. 

Map 1- Bethel 13-5

Map 2- Catawba 13-9

Map 3- Catawba 14-12

The Bethel team is composed of five students all coming from West Tennessee. Sarah Jackson, Jacob Stoner, Will Singleton, Connor Cox, and Hayden Adams make up the squad.

Overall, the team started out strong winning the first map with ease. The Cats transitioned into a second map where the opposing team used the map to their advantage and got up big by six rounds before Coach Matt Ellis called timeout and spoke to his team. Bethel bounced back and went on to win four straight rounds but lost the second map. The last map Bethel started out strong where they went up 11-5 before the opposing team called a timeout and after regrouping went on to win seven rounds and take a lead 12-11. The Wildcats won the next round but ultimately fell in overtime 14-12.

Coach Ellis commented," I am beyond proud of this team. Words cannot describe how far this team has come in the last two weeks. I want to say a huge shout out to them. I was able to coach and help give tips and keep the team calm within gametime decisions. Ultimately, I say everyone contributed in different ways and we'll be working and cleaning up the small things in preparation for next week's match. 

The Valorant team will be back in action next Monday night playing host to Alvernia Maroon at 5:30 p.m. CST.