AUSTIN, Texas—St. Edward's Esports made a splash over the summer when it signed former Rocket League world champion JOSEPH KIDD — known by his gamer tag, Noly. Through the early portion of the season, the Hilltoppers are proving the substance to justify the flash. 
 
The Hilltoppers are ranked No. 17 in the nation and have run through five of the top 30 teams in the country. After breaking into the national rankings last year, the Hilltoppers added a former professional Rocket League player, JOSEPH KIDD (Noly), to holdover KODY RICHARDS (Wellace) and newcomer TYLER TAPPIN (Tater), and are seeking to find their place in the CRL. 
 
The league's qualifier has three splits to earn eight spots. St. Edward's earned a tough draw in the first one, facing No. 2-ranked Northwood in a split with only one qualifier. The Hilltoppers tore through Albright, CU Boulder, and No. 16 Lubbock Christian, but fell to Northwood. 
 
In an October 8 open, the Hilltoppers went 7-1, falling early to No. 30 Lesley University Black but recovering to win the event with back-to-back wins over No. 11-ranked East Tennessee State. Along the way, St. Edward's defeated No. 27 St. Clair, No. 13 Indiana Tech, and No. 20 Ole Miss. The Hilltoppers will have two more splits to compete in on Wednesday for one of the final CRL spots. 
 
"The team has had its ups and downs, but we're pulling together and learning how to play as a team," head coach Tony Zhong says. "The fact that we're so early in the process and have so much more room for improvement, but still have success against nationally-ranked teams, gives me great hope moving forward." 
 
St. Edward's has a pair of undefeated teams early in the season — Valorand and Marvel Rivals. 
 
Valorant is 3-0 with TRISTAN HUTTON, LOGAN BROWN, TESLA JOY RICE, Sam Cazares, AUGUSTINE PEDRAZA, and SANTIAGO FARILL. 
 
"Despite some early struggles, it's been a promising start," Zhong says. "We've seen huge improvement in individual skills, spurred by our team captains, Tristan and Logan, providing individual reviews and team VOD reviews." 
 
Marvel Rivals is the newest addition to St. Edward's Esports, led by Josh DeCarlo, Josh Rodriguez, Bryce Ritchie, RICARDO MARTINEZ, ANA VERDIN, JUAN DAVILA, and MARGARET CARAMBAS. The fast-paced, team-based hero shooter has players assemble teams of Marvel characters to battle in different arenas. 
 
The Hilltoppers have a 3-0 record early in their first season of competition. 
 
"This is a new game and we've taken a risk forming a team, but the payoff has been fantastic," Zhong says. "They have good energy. It's quickly becoming one of my favorite game titles due to the infectious energy of the team. Both Rivals and Valorant have had some clutch, come-from-behind moments."
 
After qualifying for the Spring 2025 NECC Division II Super Smash Bros. nationals, the Hilltoppers are back with JAYDEN MORRISON, WES DANIELS, HECTOR RESENDIZ, and freshmen ROY WILLIAMS and DAMIEN WHITTLE. They start the Fall season with a 2-1 record. 
 
"It's the most consistent team when it comes to practice and dedication. Our captain last semester is currently our coach while he studies abroad in Japan," Zhong says. "They practice more than anyone else. I see their dedication and fire when it comes to competing." 

Valorant plays on Mondays, Super Smash Bros. plays on Tuesdays, and Rocket League plays on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Games are broadcast on the St. Edward's Esports Twitch Channel.