ISU Esports Rocket League Team Shines in Collegiate Conference Series

The team, composed of three talented students—Emory Johnson (Communication, Media and Persuasion), Adam Storms (Chemistry), and Jye Lamson (Information Technology Systems)—quickly made a name for themselves, showcasing not only their skills on the field but also their resilience and teamwork in one of the most competitive collegiate esports circuits.

Despite being newcomers to the competitive Rocket League scene, ISU's Esports team proved themselves formidable. The group stages of the CCS saw them play through a series of intense matches, finishing with an impressive 13-4 record. This strong performance placed the team at the top of their group, earning them a spot in the playoff bracket for qualification into the prestigious CCS Championship.

The team’s momentum didn't stop there. ISU entered the playoff bracket with an undefeated streak, eventually finding themselves in the final match. The pressure was on, but the team remained undeterred, sweeping the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 4-0 in the final and securing their place at the CCS Championship. In doing so, they not only qualified for the championship but also claimed the title of CCS Group Champions.

The CCS Championship is an exclusive event that features the top 64 teams in the league, making it one of the most highly anticipated competitions in collegiate esports. ISU Rocket League entered the tournament seeded 32nd overall and 8th in the west region—a strong position for a team competing in their first season.

In the first round of the Championship, the team faced off against Washington State University, securing a hard-fought victory. But the real test came in the second round, where they were pitted against the defending champions of CCS Season 3, University of Colorado Boulder, the number one seed in the west region.

Though ISU lost the match 4-3 in a thrilling, back-and-forth series, their performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did they take the match to Game 7, a feat no other team in the entire CCS Championship was able to replicate, but they also earned the respect of their competitors. The match against University of Colorado Boulder was one of the most intense of the entire tournament, and ISU's ability to go toe-to-toe with the defending champions showcased their talent and determination.

As team member Emory Johnson, put it, playing in the CCS was an “action-packed experience.” He noted that, as a newly formed team, ISU Rocket League entered the tournament with little fanfare, but through their hard work and impressive gameplay, they proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with.

"Because ISU Rocket League was brand new to the scene, no one knew us, and they didn’t know how good we were," Johnson said. "But I say we proved ourselves considering we became a top 32 team out of 176 teams during our first season."

Although their run in the CCS Championship ended with a hard-fought loss to University of Colorado Boulder, the team's remarkable performance throughout the tournament sent a clear message to the collegiate esports world: ISU Rocket League is here to stay. With their impressive debut season, the team has established themselves as a competitive force and one to watch in the future.