The Blinn College esports Overwatch fell to Kennesaw State University in the opening round of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Varsity Premier Overwatch Tournament.

Sixth-seeded Kennesaw earned a 3-2 victory over 11th-seeded Blinn in the best-of-five matchup.

(Pictured: Blinn's Overwatch team, pictured back row, from left: William Bowman Gabriel Lopez, William Rossley, and Connor Frank. Front row, from left: George Francis, Brandon Acevedo, Aaron Lazo, and Ezekiel Bernheim)

"It was our best showing of the year," Blinn assistant coach Kyle Murto said. "Each and every player put everything they had into this matchup, and it came down to the wire on all five maps. A couple of mistakes here and there really was the deciding factor. While I am always disappointed in a loss, I could not be prouder of my players. Throughout this entire semester, they have worked tirelessly day in and day out and have improved tremendously." 

Competing for Blinn were sophomores Gabriel Lopez, William Bowman, William Rossley, George Francis, and Aaron Lazo.

Though the Buccaneers' run in the NACE tournament is over, their season will continue. Blinn will finish the NJCAA Esports regular season against Jackson College at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18. 

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.