DENTON, Texas – The University of North Texas (UNT) is making waves in the esports arena with its all-female Valorant team, proudly representing the Mean Green at national competitions. The team, composed of Brenda Cervantes, Hannah Block, Kelly Thuy Lam, Shelby Fay Wolfe, Mahwiyat Anwar, and Maryann Luong, was formed in 2023 and is backed by donations from RGB Custom PC.
Esports, which involves organized multiplayer video game competitions often viewed by live and online audiences, has seen significant growth at UNT. The university’s program has flourished, securing multiple championships and expanding its influence.
Dylan Wray, assistant director of recreational sports and head of UNT’s Esports program, highlighted the impact of the team. “We’ve been told by several directors and coaches we meet that UNT’s team was an inspiration for other programs to follow suit and commit to providing more opportunities for women in esports through teams operating similar to our own,” he said.
The team competes in Valorant, a first-person shooter game produced by Riot Games, where two teams of five engage in strategic offensive and defensive missions. UNT’s players, who control characters known as “agents” with unique abilities, have built strong camaraderie that enhances their performance.
“We have a lot of chemistry between us,” Cervantes remarked. “We can talk about problems we have, we’re very close-knit together.”
In 2024, the team participated in the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup (CECC) at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event featured 320 teams from 185 schools, with 1,500 top esports athletes competing in various games including Overwatch 2, Rocket League, Valorant, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
UNT’s journey to the CECC Finals included victories in the Valorant CECC South Region Qualifiers and the EsportsUnl Qualifiers, although they faced a setback against the University of Texas at Arlington in the Texas Qualifiers. Despite this, they secured a spot in the CECC Finals bracket.
Their debut match in the Aurora series, which supports individuals of marginalized genders, saw UNT facing the University of Houston. The match attracted nearly 4,000 online viewers and 500 in-person attendees. Team member Anwar was featured in a “McDonald’s Golden Highlight” interview before the game, a segment that showcases notable plays and player achievements.
Anwar expressed her appreciation for the team’s strong community bond. “I love the community and the networking. I love my girls,” she said. “We all understand each other on another level. We’re very close; it feels like a family.”
The UNT all-female Valorant team continues to foster a supportive environment while competing at the highest levels of collegiate esports.