NACE Starleague Spring 2022 Open & Challenger Recap

NACE Starleague Spring 2022 Season has ended with many universities competing for titles with unique rewards and scholarship prizes.

Spring 2022 NACE Starleague Challenger & Open Season Recap

NACE Starleague Spring 2022 Season has ended with many universities competing for titles with unique rewards and scholarship prizes. The regular season featured over 700 colleges and competitive teams competing in different divisions.

Here is a recap of the various opportunities that NACE Starleague offered and a review of the teams that performed well in their respective divisions.

 

NACE Starleague Challenger & Open Overview

NACE Starleague is the largest collegiate esports league in North America. It features 12 competitive games and three independent divisions.

Through its partnership with CSL Esports, and the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), NACE Starleague has provided thousands of college students with the opportunity to win scholarship prizes. They have reached thousands of students in different institutions across North America through their live broadcasts and competitions.

The Open Division is for gamers who are passionate about esports. It allows schools to participate with multiple teams and enjoy esports titles at a competitive level. This is an excellent way for players to start their journey as esports players.

The Challenger Division is for student-athletes aspiring to join the Varsity Division. This division also allows schools to participate with multiple teams in each title and awards exclusive prizes per title.

 

NACE Starleague Challenger Season Recap

Here are the top teams in each title from the Challenger Division:

 

Spring 2022 – Rocket League Challenger 

  • The University of Washington

The University of Washington Rocket League team was on a winning streak, and they were able to overpower the top ranked teams in the division. 

  • Florida State University 

Florida State University GARNET Rocket League dominated other teams, earning second place. 

  • The University of Missouri – Columbia

University of Missouri MIZZOU BLACK remained relentless in the division by dominating most of their matches. Their weakness seemed to be the University of Washington, as they overpowered them in the later stages of double elimination. 

 

Spring 2022 – Overwatch Challenger 

  • The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign

ILLINI BLUE OVERWATCH consists of great players and stood as the number one team in the Spring 2022 Overwatch Challenger Division and have earned the title. 

  • The University of St. Thomas – TX

UST ESPORTS stands in second place with solid team work.

  • Auburn University

Although in the third pace, Tempo has been able to stand their ground through the effort of the team. They prevailed against other teams and fought relentlessly, even beating the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign. 

 

Spring 2022 – Call of Duty: Vanguard Rivals 

  • The University of Oregon

OREGON YELLOW consists of Casey G, Randolph D, DJ G, and James Syring as their team captain. The team secured the number one spot in the Vanguard Rivals. Although they struggled against their rivals, Pennsylvania State University, they were able to overpower them in the later rounds of the division. 

  • Pennsylvania State University 

PENN STATE ACADEMY was captained by Lawrence Mckenny, who led the team to several victories, which secured them second place. 

  • Texas A&M International University

TAMIU Dustdevils came in third place after losing to the University of Oregon. The team consisted of skilled players such as Fernando I and Humberto G, with Ivan Laruumbe as the team captain. They could not overcome the top two teams but remained a threat throughout the Spring 2022 – Call of Duty Vanguard season. 

 

Spring 2022 – Dota 2 Challenger 

  • York University

YORK LIONS grabbed first place by beating the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the playoffs. Led by the team captain, Armani Roberts, the team remained resilient throughout the Dota 2 Challenger Division season.  

  • The University of Massachusetts Amherst

UMASS DOTA performed well all through the division but came in second place. The team maintained top performance throughout the competition and secured their place in the top three.

  • The University of California San Diego

UCSD ESPORTS DOTA came in third place after losing to the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the playoffs. Led by Andrew Harris, the team held its ground against the top collegiate teams in the Dota 2 Challenger Division. 

 

Spring 2022 – Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Challenger 

  • Davenport University

DAVENPORT CS BLACK topped the Spring 2022 CS: GO Challenger after winning most of their matches during playoffs. The team was able to maintain peak performance through the leadership of its captain, Colin Graham, and the team’s consistency. 

  • Kansas State University

KANSAS STATE VARSITY came in second place after losing to Davenport University in the playoffs. This team played competitively in the CS: GO Challenger Division.

  • Rochester Institute of Technology 

RIT White CS overcame several teams and placed third. Though they finished third, Rochester Institute of Technology went on win streaks throughout the CS: GO Offensive Challenger regular season. 

 

Spring 2022 – Valorant Challenger 

  • The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign 

After a winning streak, ILLINI BLUE VALORANT secured its position among the top three teams in the Spring 2022 Valorant Challenger. Led by team captain Xavier Garza, the team performed well and overpowered several top teams.

  • The University of Hawaii – Manoa

UHM VARSITY BLACK came in second after winning most of their playoff matches but losing to the University of Hawaii – Manoa. The team maintained consistency in its gameplay through the efforts of the team members, and the captain, Manalu Nakanish.

  • The University of Ottawa

In the Spring 2022 Valorant Challenger Division, the third team was UOTTAWA VALORANT GREY. The team consists of team captain Elizabeth Thacker and other skillful members like Christopher I and Tyler S. They were able to stand their ground against top teams to have a good season. 

 

NACE Starleague Open Season Recap

Here are the top teams in each title from the Open Division:

 

Spring 2022 – Rocket League Open

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 

Renesselaer Polytechnic Institute came first in the open division after beating the University of Alabama – Huntsville 4 – 3. 

  • University of Alabama – Huntsville

The University of Alabama – Huntsville was consistent throughout the tournament but came second after losing in the Grand Finals.

  • Missouri Valley College 

The third team was Missouri Valley College, who lost its final playoff matches against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University of Alabama – Huntsville. 

 

Spring 2022 – Overwatch Open

  • University of South Florida 

The University of South Florida was victorious after defeating East Tennessee State University 3 – 1. Captained by Dominic Roble, the team consistently performed well throughout the open division. 

  • East Tennessee State University

Although East Tennessee State University made it to the top after beating teams like Navarro College.

  • Navarro College 

Navarro College lost its playoff matches against the top two teams but still dominated several teams, coming in third. 

 

Spring 2022 – Call of Duty: Vanguard Open

  • Illinois State University

Illinois State University came out on top after defeating Iowa State University in the Playoffs. After losing to Medaille College, the team went on a Nine game winning streak, overpowering every team in their path.

  • Iowa State University 

Iowa State University was able to stand firm and maintain second place after losing three playoff matches. The team members did not give up and did a great job throughout the Open Division. 

  • Missouri Valley College 

Missouri Valley College did exceptionally well up until the playoffs, where they met their match and lost against Iowa State University 0 – 3. 

 

Spring 2022 – Dota 2 Open

  • Purdue University 

Captained by Aaron Gonzalez, Purdue University dominated the Dota 2 Open Division. The team was able to win most of their playoff matches and beat the University of California Los Angeles 2 – 1

  • The University of California Los Angeles 

The University of California Los Angeles performed exceptionally well in the Open Division. They came out victorious in most matches but could not overpower Purdue University during the playoffs. 

  • Georgia Institute of Technology

The Georgia Institute of Technology also won several matches but fell to Purdue University during Playoffs. 

 

Spring 2022 – Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Open

  • Northeastern University

Northeastern University dominated the Spring 2022 Counter Strike: Global Offensive. They went on a nine-game winning streak.

  • The University of Denver

The University of Denver also performed exceptionally well through the Open Division but could not overpower Northeastern University in the playoffs. 

  • North Central College 

Although North Central College dominated all their matches leading into the playoffs, they were defeated by the University of Denver and finished third place. 

 

Spring 2022 – Valorant Open

  • The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign also dominated the Valorant Open Division. The team was able to win every playoff match and defeated Tarleton State University in the finals. The team members, along with the captain, Thomas Sabo, maintained peak performance throughout the division. 

  • Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University performed well during the playoffs and stood its ground against other competing teams. Their players all played their parts in ensuring the team made it to the top in the Valorant Open Division. 

  • Michigan State University

Michigan State University did a great job coming all the way to third place, they were able to maintain their position all through the division. 

 

NACE Starleague Challenger Playoff Recap

Here is a summary of all the winners from the grand finales of each title in the Challenger Division:

  • Spring 2022 – Rocket League Challenger: The University of Washington
  • Spring 2022 – Overwatch Challenger: The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign
  • Spring 2022 – Call of Duty: Vanguard Rivals: The University of Oregon
  • Spring 2022 – Dota 2 Challenger: York University
  • Spring 2022 – Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Challenger: Davenport University
  • Spring 2022 – Valorant Challenger: The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign 

 

NACE Starleague Open Playoff Recap

Here is a summary of all the winners from the grand finales of each title in the Open Division:

  • Spring 2022 – Rocket League Open: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 
  • Spring 2022 – Overwatch Open: University of South Florida 
  • Spring 2022 – Call of Duty: Vanguard Open: Illinois State University
  • Spring 2022 – Dota 2 Open: Purdue University 
  • Spring 2022 – Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Open: Northeastern University
  • Spring 2022 – Valorant Open: The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign