GOLDEN, Colo. — Mines Club Esports continued its opening stretch in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) last week as the Orediggers' Valorant JV, Rocket League JV and League of Legends Challenger teams competed in placement matches.

The week provided Mines' developing squads with their first opportunities to compete in the new league, highlighted by wins from Valorant JV and Rocket League JV and several tightly contested series.

Valorant JV Battles Through Three-Match Placement Tournament

Valorant JV opened the week Monday with three matches in its NECC placement tournament, finishing 1-2 and third in its bracket.

The Orediggers opened against New Mexico State Crimson on Abyss. Mines faced a 10-2 deficit at halftime but responded on the attacking side, taking four consecutive rounds to cut into the lead. New Mexico State eventually closed out the map 13-7.

Mines quickly bounced back against Wisconsin-Milwaukee White on Lotus.

The Orediggers controlled the opening half, building a 9-3 advantage on defense behind a strong performance from sophomore Jadon Beacham. Beacham posted a 14-4 K/D through nine rounds as Mines took command of the match.

Junior Tucker Grubbs provided another highlight, recording Mines' first ace of the fall season with a 1-v-3 finish that capped a six-round winning streak.

WATCH: Tucker Grubbs records the first Valorant JV ace of the Fall 2026 season

The Orediggers went on to secure a 13-6 victory and their first win of the season.

Mines closed the tournament with a rematch against New Mexico State, this time on Ascent. The Orediggers again entered halftime trailing 10-2, but New Mexico State finished the map 13-2 to give Mines a 1-2 placement record.

The tournament provided valuable early-season experience for a Valorant JV roster featuring Beacham, Grubbs, Josh Lease, Alexander Gulludag, Miles Duffy, Hutton Bonewitz and Aidan King.

Rocket League JV Goes the Distance

Rocket League JV followed Wednesday with three placement series, and all three required a deciding fifth game.

Mines opened against Southwestern Oklahoma State University Blue with John Bradley, Adam Naamani and Ty Keiser in the lineup.

After taking the opener 2-1, Mines dropped the next two games and faced a 2-1 series deficit. The Orediggers responded with a 2-0 victory in Game 4 before taking Game 5 by a 2-1 score in overtime to complete the comeback and earn a 3-2 series victory.

The drama continued against Bismarck State College Gold. Bradley and Naamani were joined by freshman Vinicious Mutuano for the second series.

After falling 4-2 in the opener, Mines responded with consecutive 2-1 and 5-2 victories to move within one game of winning the series. Bismarck State answered with a 4-2 win to force Game 5 and then took the deciding contest 4-1, handing Mines a narrow 3-2 series loss.

The Orediggers' final matchup against Illinois Black followed a similar script. Mines took Games 1 and 3 by scores of 3-1 and 1-0, respectively, and again carried a 2-1 series advantage. Illinois forced another deciding game with a 5-1 victory in Game 4 before edging Mines 2-1 in Game 5.

Despite finishing placements 1-2, Rocket League JV played the maximum 15 games across its three series, with every matchup decided in Game 5.

League Challenger Gains Early Experience

Mines' League of Legends Challenger squad wrapped up the JV placement action Thursday with matches against New Mexico Tech and Texas Tech Red.

The Orediggers opened against New Mexico Tech, falling 29-7 in a match lasting 25:28.

Mines produced a closer contest in its second matchup against Texas Tech Red. The Orediggers increased their offensive production to 24 kills before Texas Tech secured a 32-24 victory in 27:09.

With the group playing together for just the third time, the placement matches provided an early opportunity for the squad to build chemistry before moving into the remainder of its NECC schedule.

With placements complete, Mines' JV programs now turn their attention toward the regular season as the Orediggers continue their first campaign in the NECC.