

In what may be the most epic of House Party 5v5 Finals since the league’s inception, White Lightning (8-1) will take on SkyHi (6-3) Sunday at 5:00 PM CST. By the numbers, White Lightning should have the edge in the best of five series. However, SkyHi has never been a conventional by-the-numbers team. Perceived as the perpetual underdogs in each of their matches, SkyHi has overcome the odds and earned the right to play in the House Party 5v5 Season 3 Championship.

The first two weeks of the season showed nothing but promise for SkyHi, advancing to an early undefeated record. Demonstrating strong teamplay and led by the House Party veteran LunaZ, the team looked to be one of the strongest in the league. However, a turbulent run of matches over the next few weeks resulted in LunaZ stepping down as captain, leaving command of the squad with another longtime veteran: Enemy271.

At the beginning of SkyHi’s rocky period was the team’s first loss, as they fell to White Lightning in Week 3. Although parallels could certainly be drawn between that match and the final tomorrow, SkyHi’s coach Wumple believes things have changed that will ensure the match goes differently this time: “The loss to White Lightning was with our old roster; I think that with the current roster SkyHi has a really good chance at beating them.”

It is indeed true that SkyHi saw several substantial roster adjustments in the middle to late weeks of the season, and the results certainly speak for themselves. SkyHi ended the regular season at a record of 6-3 and advanced into the playoffs, earning their way into Sunday’s final by toppling LuckerDogs in the quarterfinal s and then the heavily favored Spooky Midnight in the semifinals.

Although considered the underdog for both the semifinal against Spooky Midnight as well as Sunday’s final against White Lightning, SkyHi’s players and coaching staff have embraced their title of underdog. On the subject of being underestimated, Wumple said: “I think that it is better for SkyHi to be the underdogs, it makes it so they have less pressure on them. “

SkyHi’s top laner Mechanerd also embraced the notion of being underestimated, saying: “Being underestimated or the ‘underdog’ makes us want to perform that much better. I want people to doubt my team because that is motivating us.”

For what it’s worth, White Lightning does not seem to be taking preparations for Sunday’s final lightly. White Lightning’s support Simkev stated: “Personally, I think they’re better than people give them credit for. That being said, I think we have a good chance of winning tomorrow. I don’t think it will be a blowout, though. I’m expecting a closer series, going 3-1 or 3-2 for us.”

With what is shaping up to be a match for the ages Sunday night, Mechanerd echoed Simkev’s enthusiasm and anticipation for the final, saying: “Underestimated or not, no one is taking this lightly. I know that both teams will be putting in the time to create a strategy through research and practice.”

He did disagree with one thing Simkev said, however. When asked to predict the outcome of the final, his response was confident and non-negotiable: “3-0 SkyHi.”

Be sure to tune in to www.twitch.tv/houseparty5v5 Sunday 5 PM CST, where SkyHi will take on White Lightning for the House Party 5v5 Season 3 Championship.

Writer: Hellbizzle

Editor: Prez