Coming off of their win last year, the Southwest Squids are preparing for a new season. This year they plan to go far in competitions through practice, teamwork, and effective communication.

“After the win, I feel like our club is a lot more confident in ourselves,” sophomore Nicolas Markwith said. “We know what we’re capable of. Honestly, we’re excited because we want to recreate what we did last year.”

Within the Competitive Gaming Club there are several different teams each specializing with different games. Winning the competition last year not only affected the squids, it also set the bar for the other teams within the Competitive Gaming Club.

“Knowing that the other team won the championships, I feel a bit nervous,” sophomore Janessa Calibuso said. “[This year] I’m more confident because one of our teammates from last season went up to the playoffs and nationals.”

When playing for fun, or competing for a trophy, the team has to work together and strategize in order to win. 

“With the team I’d say it was very technical,” Markwith said. “We’d have strategies planned out and it was like we’d know what we needed to do in certain situations.”

Even though some of the teams have made it to playoffs and sometimes even championships, this does not mean that the club as a whole is amazing when it comes to working together and communicating. 

“We had lots of trouble communicating and talking to each other, I hope we can communicate better [this year] because last year I didn’t know anyone,” Calibuso said. “We weren’t too good with making call -outs to each other and communicating how to better our team since we didn’t know each other that well last year.”

Knowing the other members of the team affects how they work and play together. Along with being more fun, it is easier for the team to interact and communicate when they are comfortable with one another. 

“I enjoyed this team because it’s with people I already know,” Calibuso said. “I’m comfortable playing with [them] and can communicate with them better.”

Winning the first place PlayVS trophy leaves a lasting impact, not only on the team that won, but the entire club. The Southwest Squids do not take this win lightly and will never forget it. 

“I didn’t really get to feel the surrealism of [the win] because I wasn’t with them when it happened,” Markwith said. “Knowing that I, in a sense, helped out with that, it honestly gives me a sense of pride.”