The Birth of a New Team:
This semester, the Rollins College Esports program welcomed the Super Smash Bros competitive team. The program has long featured competitive squads, more specifically the Marvel Rivals team, the Overwatch team, and the Valorant team, essentially the “Big Three.” The Super Smash Bros. team is new and made up of only five members, making it the smallest roster in the program.
Competitive Spirit (How important is it?):
The Super Smash Bros. team is no doubt competitive, but the way they compete differs from other teams in the Rollins Esports program. Unlike other teams in the Esports program, where players compete on separate computers, the Smash team plays together on a Nintendo
Switch displayed on a single TV. This setup means every player’s gameplay can be seen by the entire team, adding an extra layer of pressure while also highlighting the importance of constant support and encouragement from teammates to build the confidence to push through rough spots.
In competition, the Smash team typically uses a best-of-three or five series, following a round robin format. Essentially, the team faces off against the Smash team of an opposing school in one-on-one battles. Each player has three lives (known as stocks in competitive Smash), and if they lose all of them, they must switch off with another team member. If by chance they manage to defeat their opponent, they will continue playing but will start their next match by losing however many lives they lost against their previous opponent. If no stocks are lost, the player enters the next match with a clean slate.
Dynamics and Camaraderie:
The Super Smash Bros. dynamics are like other Esports teams in that one player is denoted as a captain to lead, organize, and supervise, whilst the rest are responsible for carrying out the roles expected of members of the team. The team’s five-member roster makes it the smallest competitive squad in the Rollins Esports program. While it may seem like this would serve as a hindrance to the team, having a low player count is actually beneficial, as it allows teammates to form closer bonds. The team captain of the Super Smash Bros. team, Julie Hernandez (‘29), states, “We hype each other up during games which really helps with the pressure we all face to perform well during matches.” They further added, “We also have pretty different playstyles, so practice matches are always fun and interesting.”
Final Thoughts:
Although new to the competitive scene, the Super Smash Bros. team is already off to a promising start. With eight matches and four wins, they have established a fifty percent win rate. For a newly formed roster still developing experience and team cohesion, this record places them on solid footing compared to many new collegiate Smash teams, which often spend much of their first season adjusting to the structure and pace of competitive play.
Beyond results, the Smash team emphasizes collaboration, communication, and constructive feedback. Success isn’t only measured by wins or losses, but also by how well players support one another and maintain a positive team environment. The team practices together on a single Nintendo Switch, turning sessions into bonding moments where everyone watches, reacts, and offers feedback in real time. With a small team roster and diverse playstyles, the Smash team is building a foundation for future competition and cementing its place in the Rollins College Esports program.
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