The Marvel Rivals esports team lost in the third round of playoffs on Monday, falling to Lambert High School of Georgia, 3-0.
The Highlanders finished their first season with a 8-3 record, ending up tied for ninth in the East Coast division.
Sophomore Luke Linden was proud of the team’s efforts. He credited Lambert for being the better team, with their moves being almost unpredictable and their strategies being more successful than Baldwin’s.
“They just really outplayed us. We tried to think of new counters, but we just could not counter their strategies or their heroes,” Linden said.
The pace of the game was simply too much for the Highlanders, with their errors stemming from the inability to keep pace with Lambert.
Head Coach Nathan Elias thought the team did well, despite the loss.
“Our team did well in adapting to the other team. It didn’t end up working out, but it became more competitive as the series went on,” Elias said. “The other team was very well coordinated. They played a number of different styles throughout the match and executed them well.”
Junior Laeth Salih was a standout player during the matchup.
“He has been a constant performer and important voice on the team throughout the season,” Elias said.
The team handled playoffs and the pressure that comes with it well, the coach said.
“The difference with the playoffs is the intensity of the matches. All of our players really felt the win-and-stay-alive aspect of the playoffs,” Elias said.
Freshman Darren Fornof said there are things for the team to improve on for next season.
“We have to be able to adapt to what the other team is doing, and create a strategy around that,” Fornof said. “The other team had great compositions and they were able to adapt.”
Linden is looking forward to next season because of the changes in divisions.
“I’m looking forward to the PA-specific league, because we were previously playing teams all across the coast, and I would like to see how well we do against only PA teams,” Linden said.
