The Blinn College esports Valorant team fell to Northwood University 2-1 in a best-of-three match in the Collegiate Valorant National Tournament semifinal round Sunday.

The Buccaneers' season is not over, as the team will now compete in the consolation bracket with a shot in the national championship round still a possibility.

 "We had Northwood on the ropes on map two, but we failed to close them out and ended up losing the series," Blinn head coach Aaron Kapiko said. "We have a lot we can learn from that series and now we have our backs against the wall, but I believe we can still make our run to the national championship. We played well, but some crucial points cost us that series. I know we will be back stronger."

Competing for the Bucs were Hayden Whitaker, Austin Ray, Adam Laamoumi, Teague Morgan, and Bruce Nguyen.

Blinn will face the University of California San Diego in the consolation bracket Saturday, May 20. A time has yet to be decided. The Bucs need two victories to reach the grand finals of the tournament, held in Los Angeles. 

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 43 NJCAA national championships since 1987.