
<p>NA Stage 1 Challengers Week 3 was a masterful showing by its victors. What some would consider major upsets took place and only one match did not go to the third map. There are only two weekends left before the playoff bracket is determined. That fact made this a do-or-die week of competition for several teams.</p>



<p>Week 3 showcased a mix and match style of series. There were very close maps, some blow outs, and only two overtime games. Regardless of the outcomes, this weekend was one of the more story-filled and exciting times for NA during the 2022 VALORANT Champions Tour.</p>



<p>Read on for a recap of NA Stage 1 Challengers Week 3 as <a href="https://rib.gg/events/vct-north-america-2022-stage-1-challengers/1140?stage=1199" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Group Stage</a> continues to impress.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vct-2022-na-stage-1-challengers-week-3-recap">VCT 2022: NA Stage 1 Challengers Week 3 recap</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Group A Results</h3>



<ul><li><a href="https://rib.gg/series/cloud9-vs-evil-geniuses/25276" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cloud9 <strong>2:1</strong> Evil Geniuses</a></li><li><a href="https://rib.gg/series/the-guard-vs-xset/25278" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Guard <strong>2:1</strong> XSET</a></li><li><a href="https://rib.gg/series/luminosity-gaming-vs-100-thieves/25568" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luminosity Gaming <strong>2:1 </strong>100 Thieves</a></li></ul>



<p>Cloud9 has been deemed the best team in North America since they won the Last Chance Qualifier during the 2021 VCT circuit. That gave them a hefty leg up against Evil Geniuses in Week 3. Many believed the match would be a quick sweep, but EG had other ideas on Breeze. While Cloud9 took them down on Haven <strong>13:5</strong>, EG returned the favor with a <strong>13:8</strong> map two. The third map was anything but pleasant for the Geniuses, however. A dominating <strong>13:2</strong> Ascent went to C9 who kept their record blemish free with the win. It is no surprise that Nathan &#8220;<strong><a href="https://rib.gg/players/leaf/3599?section=agents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaf</a></strong>&#8221; Orf and Mitch <strong>&#8220;<a href="https://rib.gg/players/mitch/2213?section=agents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mitch</a>&#8220;</strong> Semago carried the load with 54 kills each in the series.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class=" embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Evil? Sure. Geniuses? Well&#8230; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VCTChallengersNA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VCTChallengersNA</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/C9WIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#C9WIN</a> <a href="https://t.co/FfxHXLUY0e">pic.twitter.com/FfxHXLUY0e</a></p>&mdash; Cloud9 (@Cloud9) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cloud9/status/1497354416231305220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</div></figure>



<p>C9 was called the favorite for Group A at the start, but now The Guard are making an argument for that label. They took the fight to another powerful squad in the form of XSET. This was arguably the most anticipated match of the weekend and it started on Haven. The Guard finished it off with a solid <strong>13:7</strong> score line. XSET managed to hang in map two for a close <strong>13:11</strong> Bind victory. It all came down to Fracture, where The Guard treated their opponent much like 100T <a href="https://rib.gg/article/vct-2022-na-stage-1-challengers-week-2-recap" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the week prior</a>. XSET were able to get a few rounds, but a <strong>13:3</strong> ending propelled The Guard to another triumph. Of course, this was on the back of Trent &#8220;<strong><a href="https://rib.gg/players/trent/11412?section=agents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trent</a></strong>&#8221; Cairns&#8217; 61/40/19 KDA that netted him <a href="https://rib.gg/article/outstanding-performers-february-week-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Player of the Week honors</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class=" embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/trentFPS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trentFPS</a> GETS EVERYBODY!<a href="https://twitter.com/TheGuard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheGuard</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VCTChallengersNA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VCTChallengersNA</a> <a href="https://t.co/qLF2imBdNY">pic.twitter.com/qLF2imBdNY</a></p>&mdash; VALORANT Champions Tour NA (@valesports_na) <a href="https://twitter.com/valesports_na/status/1497764428049117188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</div></figure>



<p>100 Thieves were coming off <a href="https://rib.gg/article/tsm-wins-knights-monthly-gauntlet-over-100-thieves" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an intense battle with TSM</a> in the Knights Monthly Gauntlet. While they fell short, it showed promising signs for the newest version of the Thieves. They looked to extend that potential against Luminosity Gaming and finally get a tick in the win column in this year&#8217;s VCT. The entirety of LG performed out of their minds to prevent that. On Split, LG took the map <strong>13:9</strong>. Moving to Fracture, 100T retaliated by winning with the same final round count. Breeze is where it got interesting. A wonderful 25/17/5 outing by Brandon Michael <strong>&#8220;<a href="https://rib.gg/players/bdog/905?section=agents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bdog</a>&#8220;</strong> Sanders allowed LG to fight back in the second half to force overtime. Two OT rounds in a row went to LG and 100 Thieves dropped to three losses without a win to their name.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class=" embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Taking the last match to OT, <a href="https://twitter.com/Luminosity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Luminosity</a> wins the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VCTChallengersNA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VCTChallengersNA</a> series 2-1! <a href="https://t.co/BhFrVZGlzr">pic.twitter.com/BhFrVZGlzr</a></p>&mdash; VALORANT Champions Tour NA (@valesports_na) <a href="https://twitter.com/valesports_na/status/1498092269131292674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</div></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Group B Results</h3>



<ul><li><a href="https://rib.gg/series/knights-vs-rise/25277" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Knights <strong>2:0</strong> Rise</a></li><li><a href="https://rib.gg/series/sentinels-vs-optic-gaming/25279" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpTic Gaming <strong>2:1</strong> Sentinels</a></li><li><a href="https://rib.gg/series/version1-vs-nrg-esports/25569" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Version1 <strong>2:1</strong> NRG Esports</a></li></ul>



<p>The Group B side of NA Stage 1 Challengers Week 3 kicked off with the only two map series of the weekend. On paper, Rise was the team many saw taking the <strong>2:0</strong> victory, but in the server, Knights proved that to be an incorrect prediction. With Logan <strong>&#8220;<a href="https://rib.gg/players/skuba/3831?section=agents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skuba</a>&#8220;</strong> Jenkins having yet another stellar series, Knights kept Rise from reaching double digits in both maps. Ascent has been their map throughout the Group Stage and that didn&#8217;t change here. They only gave up one round in the second half, on their defensive side, to take it <strong>13:9</strong>. Bind saw them keep Rise to one round less with <strong>13:8</strong> giving them the sweep.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class=" embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏆 We WIN 2-0 vs <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRiseNation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRiseNation</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VCTChallengersNA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VCTChallengersNA</a> Week 3 Day 1!<br><br>GGs to all involved  🤝 💪<br><br>⚔️  <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PKVAL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PKVAL</a><br>📺  <a href="https://t.co/qYlWG7T3qC">https://t.co/qYlWG7T3qC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Lg15Lp6NJ9">pic.twitter.com/Lg15Lp6NJ9</a></p>&mdash; Knights (@KnightsGG) <a href="https://twitter.com/KnightsGG/status/1497391221928570893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</div></figure>



<p>The second Group B match up could also have an argument for the most anticipated bout of the weekend. Sentinels versus OpTic Gaming, the former Team Envy, saw no punches pulled by either team. In a shocking first map, OG stomped SEN <strong>13:2</strong> on Bind without a single player on Sentinels reaching double digit kills. Fracture was close and went in SEN&#8217;s favor <strong>13:10</strong> after Jared <strong>&#8220;<a href="https://rib.gg/players/zombs/1485?section=agents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zombs</a>&#8220;</strong> Gitlin stepped up for 27 frags. OpTic closed things out on Icebox <strong>13:9</strong> to give SEN their first loss of the Stage.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class=" embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Statement Series. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpTicVALORANT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpTicVALORANT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FNS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FNS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Crashies?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Crashies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Marved6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Marved6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/victorwong?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@victorwong</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/yayFPS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yayFPS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/chetsingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chetsingh</a> <a href="https://t.co/cwWKRuqbWL">pic.twitter.com/cwWKRuqbWL</a></p>&mdash; OpTic Gaming™ (@OpTic) <a href="https://twitter.com/OpTic/status/1497720543851819016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</div></figure>



<p>The final Group B match, and final overall match, of the weekend was the closet one in the entirety of the Stage thus far. It started with a hard fought Haven. Overtime was inevitable as the team&#8217;s traded rounds in the latter portion. As things reset for overtime, NRG remained composed and finished things <strong>14:12</strong>. V1 picked Fracture for the second map, but NRG played it well. They had a killer attacking half, but V1 hung on to take it <strong>13:11</strong>. Icebox once again showed why Erik &#8220;<strong><a href="https://rib.gg/players/penny/3352?section=agents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">penny</a></strong>&#8221; Penny should no longer be considered underrated. His 28/13/5 KDA helped V1 overcome NRG on another <strong>13:11</strong> map. That allowed V1 to remain the only undefeated team in the group.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class=" embed-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A HAIL MARY PLAY TO SOLIDIFY THE MATCH WIN FOR <a href="https://twitter.com/version1gg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@version1gg</a>. WP <a href="https://twitter.com/penny9o?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@penny9o</a> 👏🏽<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VCTChallengersNA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VCTChallengersNA</a> <a href="https://t.co/IIJcoxMrNn">pic.twitter.com/IIJcoxMrNn</a></p>&mdash; Nerd Street (@nerdstreet) <a href="https://twitter.com/nerdstreet/status/1498150065705308162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Current standings</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1025" height="369" src="https://old.runitback.gg/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/image-6.png" alt="" class="wp-image-16106" srcset="https://old.runitback.gg/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/image-6.png 1025w, https://old.runitback.gg/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/image-6-300x108.png 300w, https://old.runitback.gg/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/image-6-768x276.png 768w, https://old.runitback.gg/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/image-6-48x17.png 48w" sizes="(max-width: 1025px) 100vw, 1025px" /></figure></div>



<p>A look at the current standings indicates some teams clearly locked in and others who are going to have a hell of a time in the final weeks. Only the top four from each group advance to the Playoff Stage, meaning fights for seeding are happening alongside fights for just making it in the first place. </p>



<p>The biggest story comes from 100T. They take on XSET and then EG. They will need to win both and hope that XSET goes down against LG in the last weekend to have a chance. Group B is a bit more open with only one undefeated and one winless roster. There are a ton of scenarios that could see the teams shift around.</p>



<p>Stay tuned to <a href="https://rib.gg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Run It Back</a> as the VCT continues and we start to get a better idea of who may represent their region in international competition! </p>


VCT 2022: NA Stage 1 Challengers Week 3 recap

NA Stage 1 Challengers Week 3 was a masterful showing by its victors and included what some would consider major upsets.

VCT 2022: NA Stage 1 Challengers Week 3 recap - Run It Back - Valorant News

Home

Keeping you up to date with the latest Valorant news.

Run It Back - Valorant News

Brandon is a long time gamer with a passion for writing. Combining the two has been a dream come true. He was Run It Back's official correspondent for First Strike NA and looks forward to covering the North American Valorant scene for a long time.

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3560aac3184c58a68bc7eb6411820006?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Brandon "Mothman" Moore

afghanistan

aland islands

albania

algeria

american samoa

andorra

angola

anguilla

antarctica

antigua and barbuda

argentina

armenia

aruba

australia

austria

azerbaijan

bahamas

bahrain

bangladesh

barbados

belarus

belgium

belize

benin

bermuda

bhutan

bolivia

bonaire, sint eustatius and saba

bosnia and herzegovina

botswana

bouvet island

brazil

british indian ocean territory

brunei darussalam

bulgaria

burkina faso

burundi

cambodia

cameroon

canada

cape verde

cayman islands

central african republic

chad

chile

china

christmas island

cocos (keeling) islands

colombia

comoros

congo

congo, the democratic republic of the

cook islands

costa rica

cote d'ivoire

croatia

cuba

curacao

cyprus

czechia

denmark

djibouti

dominica

dominican republic

ecuador

egypt

el salvador

equatorial guinea

eritrea

estonia

ethiopia

europe

falkland islands (malvinas)

faroe islands

fiji

finland

france

french guiana

french polynesia

french southern territories

gabon

gambia

georgia

germany

ghana

gibraltar

greece

greenland

grenada

guadeloupe

guam

guatemala

guernsey

guinea

guinea-bissau

guyana

haiti

heard island and mcdonald islands

holy see (vatican city state)

honduras

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

MENA

Oceana

International

Which team take HOLE SHOT? &#8211; Riot games one 2023 pro invitational (japanese)

Detonation FocusMe Partnered with Crazy Raccoon and Completes Roster

The Road to Game Changers Championship 2023

So you wanna be a Collegiate VAL player?

Elevating Your Valorant Game: Strategies for Success

VALORANT Patch Notes 7.10

Mastering Valorant: A Guide to Competitive Success

What happened to EMEA&#8217;s OFF//SEASON?

VALORANT&#8217;s Rise: A Winning Blend of Esports Excitement

BLUE TEAM

PINK TEAM

VCL Rejects

MOUZ

Cloud9

FNATIC

Oasis Gaming

Fancy United Esports

Bleed Esports

Natus Vincere

DetonatioN FocusMe

ZETA DIVISION

ARF TEAM

Alter Ego

BOOM Esports

Sentinels

Paper Rex

FULL SENSE

Team Liquid

EDward Gaming

Signum Reges

Imperium Gaming

TUD Apes

Ulster Unicorns

Rebirth Esports

Medio Oxen

La Chamba

All Knights

Team SMG GC

G2 Gozen

Evil Geniuses GC

Team Liquid Brazil

BBL Queens

Shopify Rebellion

KRÜ BLAZE

Chao Hui EDward Gaming

Cruzados Esports

DNA Gaming

School Sux

alexiss uwu

First Class

Outlast Gaming

Vault Keepers

Huskies

Pug It Out

Chosen 1s

Point Park University

True Rippers

Grayfox Esports

Reckoning Esports

Medal Esports

Formulation Gaming

Human Tripwires

apinaorkesteri

Business Boys

Wizard Esports

OnlyFins

BREXIT AIM

ZeroZen

Downfall Esports

Team Respect

Skal Esports

Flame Hard

GiefKalash

DREAMWAVE

Samsung Dreamhack Invitational

Copa Bravíssima

Convergence 2023

Mandatory Cup #3

The Funhaver Invitational LAN

Riot Games ONE PRO INVITATIONAL 2023

BEACON Open 2023 Split 2: Finals

Pit of Valor #153

Game Changers 2023 Championship: São Paulo

$100 5v5 Frost Whiteout Blitz | Day 4