After defeating Iolani 2-1 in the fall championships of the Vanta 2024 tournament, McKinley’s Valorant team was invited to the Zippy’s Invitational at UH West Oahu from Saturday, March 22 to Sunday, March 23—where they also came out on top. Out of three matches, they won two, finishing the event with a 2-0 final score. The invitational included college teams like Michigan State, HPU, and Boston University, as well as a division for high school teams. While high schoolers didn’t compete directly with the college players, McKinley’s team had the chance to watch them play.
For those unfamiliar, Valorant is a free-to-play tactical shooter developed by Riot Games and released in 2020. The game is known for its strategic gameplay, distinct characters called Agents, and competitive team fights. Players control Agents with special abilities and aim to either plant or defuse a bomb, blending classic shooter mechanics with hero-based gameplay.
Rendall Choy, the team’s eSports adviser, said he recruited students who showed an interest in the game, though it took a bit of encouragement to get them to commit. This school year, the team started strong, worked hard, and won the fall championship. From there, Choy focused on selecting the best players—those who not only had skill but could also function well as a team.
“Everyone has a role,” Choy said. “We hope that students are humble enough to know when to sit and when to perform when their name is called.”
Each team member had their own take on the tournament. Dylan Pham (c/o ’26) reflected on the team’s humble beginnings.
“We started off pretty humble in the beginning. We were a new team, so we were like the underdogs. We needed to beat everyone,” he said.
The team also had to adjust to unfamiliar equipment, but Pham said they kept calm. “We just stayed nonchalant, no pressure.”
For Miah Lam (c/o ’28), the tournament was both exciting and stressful. While she enjoyed the experience, playing in front of a live audience made it harder for her to stay focused. Still, with her teammates’ support, she gained confidence.
“I was the last one alive on my team,” she said. “But I still won that round, so it’s fine.”
Tommy Nguyen (c/o ’26) thrived under the pressure. “Everything you did was on the screen, and there were a lot of people there,” he said.
In a tough match against Iolani, Nguyen recalled a turning point. “We almost lost,” he said. “But then we took a step back and really talked about our problems. We started playing more together—and we won the whole tournament.
Landon Apaka (c/o ’26) said the hardest part was not being able to use their own gear. “It was hard getting used to the provided equipment,” he said, explaining how the unfamiliar keyboards and mice made it difficult to adjust. Playing in the tournament was fun, but he admitted there was pressure to defend their title. “A lot of pressure was on us to win again.”
Codie Soriano (c/o ’25) agreed that equipment was a major issue. “We weren’t allowed to plug in our own mice,” he said. “That was the worst part.” Despite losing their first game against Roosevelt, the team adapted and came back to win the rest. “It was really fun watching all the other players. It was even better when we won.”
Soriano also remembered a specific opponent who was vocal in trying to get under their skin. “We were down by four rounds, and they were getting overconfident—trying to ragebait us,” he said.
Choy noted that the team is full of talented individuals, but he hopes to see their teamwork grow stronger. “I hope they will be able to gel together as one team,” he said, describing their ideal synergy as a “well-oiled machine.”
Beyond the wins, Choy emphasized that eSports offers students more than just competition. The team didn’t walk away with scholarships, but they did earn a trophy—and meaningful experience.
“It teaches teamwork, communication, commitment and grace,” he said, adding that character matters more than being number one. Choy encourages students to join eSports if it helps them find purpose and community. “If they need a place to belong—something to strive for together with other people.” Still, he cautions that it shouldn’t become a distraction.
Choy said he’s continually impressed by the team’s dedication and talent. “I’m just amazed; I’m just going along for the ride.”
