End of Phase 3
New Rosters Impress With New Faces, Valkyries Fall Short In Last-Minute Playoff Push
#1
Atlantis Leviathans (11-3)
Previous ranking: 1
Last week: 0-2 (Kings 0-2, Warriors 0-2)
The Leviathans lost both of their matches in the final week of phase 3, but needless to say they had little reason to play hard. Against the Warriors, Ronngyu’s Artemis support failed to win a game, and the newly reinvigorated Kings also brought an end to the Leviathans’ record-breaking set streak. Week 7 was also the first week that the Leviathans failed to win a single game, losing both sets in 0-2 fashion. Going into playoffs, however, it is hard to like any team more. The double-elimination format seems to heavily favor a team like the Leviathans, who adjust well and make teams work hard even for single-game wins. It is hard to imagine this team losing twice with a spot at Worlds on the line.
#2
Jade Dragons (10-4)
Previous ranking: 2
Last week: 1-1 (Valkyries 2-0, Bolts 0-2)
Another team favored by the double-elimination but for different reasons, the Dragons are the kind of team who could run through a tournament if not or the odd-throw in a set from time to time. With the assurance of a double-elimination bracket, the Dragons might be playing more loose and free, which positions them well for securing one of the two guaranteed spots at Worlds. The Dragons are, of course, a dominant team when firing on all cylinders. If that is the team that arrives at playoffs, no one will be able to deny them a trip to the main stage in January.
#3
Camelot Kings (10-4)
Previous ranking: 3
Last week: 3-0 (Warriors 2-1, Leviathans 2-0, Titans 2-0)
The Kings played three spectacular sets in week 7, their first with newly acquired ADC Jarcorrr. There was little at stake in the way of seeding implications in week 7 for the Kings (though second was an outside possibility), but nevertheless they showed out, sending a statement to the rest of the league that their new lineup is a legitimate contender not only for a spot at Worlds these playoffs, but a championship as well.
#4
Tartarus Titans (7-7)
Previous ranking: 4
Last week: 1-1 (Bolts 2-1, Kings 0-2)
7-7 sounds about right for this team. In all honesty, I do not know this team’s ceiling or their floor. Sometimes they play like a bottom half team, others like a top team. They split with the Warriors in phase 3, then lost both sets to each of the top three teams and won both sets against each of the bottom three teams. That is maybe a bad sign for the Titans, who, come playoffs, will playing against a mix of teams that account for just three of their wins and all of their losses. How will this team perform against the top of the league when the stakes are bigger than they have been all year?
#5
Oni Warriors (8-6)
Previous ranking: 6
Last week: 2-1 (Kings 1-2, Leviathans 2-0, Scarabs 2-1)
A strong final week from the Warriors held the Titans off from stealing away the 4th seed, but they had a gift win against the Leviathans who were having fun in games with no seeding implications. The ceiling for this team? I’ll be honest, this team has looked almost good enough since the core 3 members of Nika, Dardez, and Vote began playing together in season 6, but they have always failed to win big games. This team likely won’t reach any higher than the top-4—a respectable result, but one disappointing for a team that has largely stayed together for the last four seasons.
#6
Olympus Bolts (6-8)
Previous ranking: 5
Last week: 2-1 (Titans 1-2, Dragons 2-0, Valkyries 2-0)
The Bolts are another strange team. A loss to the Titans to start this week was disappointing and showcased some of the issues that were losing them sets earlier in the phase—namely, an inability to close out games. They had some respite with a win against the Dragons, who were enjoying themselves in a match that didn’t matter for them, and then another win on Sunday against the hapless Valkyries. Baskin was electric in both sets, showing the league and the world that he is back to form. Where could these Bolts wind up by the end of the year? They could win it all, if the breeze blows their way, but more likely than not this team, like the Warriors, caps out as a semifinalist. But Baskin’s rapid resurgence is promising.
#7
Solar Scarabs (2-12)
Previous ranking: 7
Last week: 1-1 (Valkyries 2-1, Warriors 1-2)
The Scarabs lost two more players. However, this version managed to beat the Valkyries, and came frustratingly close to beating the Warriors. It is a team, now, that can compete with most of the teams in the league. Maybe a surprise semi-finals run is in the cards again, but more likely than not the Scarabs will finish toward the bottom. I have a lot of love for this team, though. How could you not? The sheer odds of them not getting 7th place were immense, but they managed to avoid finishing last anyways, even though they lost three players and their coach during this phase.
#8
Valhalla Valkyries (2-12)
Previous ranking: 8
Last week: 0-3 (Scarabs 1-2, Dragons 0-2, Bolts 0-2)
When the Valkyries beat the Kings at the end of week five, they would only need to find one win to secure 7th place over the Scarabs—barring any unlikely upsets. Not only that, but 6th place and a playoff berth were in the cards even going into week 7. They played five sets in the final two weeks—Warriors, Titans, Scarabs, Dragons, and Bolts. Looking at that mix of teams, it is almost unthinkable that a team that beat the Kings couldn’t find a single victory in those five sets. The Scarabs are the obvious choice, but the Warriors, Bolts, and even Titans were all winnable matches for a team capable of beating one of the best. They lost all five matches, dropping the head-to-head tiebreaker to the Scarabs and finishing in 8th place. There is no other way to say it: the Valkyries are the most disappointing team in phase 3.
