Let me tell you about the wildest, most bittersweet tournament run of my life. I knew going into the Her Galaxy Apex Legends Open in 2025 that this would be my last competitive Apex event. Even winning the whole thing—and a chunk of the biggest prize pool ever for a women's tournament—didn't change my mind. It was a $100,000 stage, packed with big names and an even bigger audience, and it felt like the perfect place to say goodbye.

Honestly, the lead-up was nerve-wracking. I'm not gonna lie. I'd left my old team just a month before because the vibes were off—no chemistry, you know? It was a huge risk. But I reached out to Melani, someone I'd gamed with years ago, and we found a third, Valefha. I'd never even played with her before! We were a makeshift squad of players who needed a home, calling ourselves 'Team Cuties.' The pressure was on from day one.

The Struggle to Prepare

Trying to get practice in was a nightmare. Our schedules? Never aligned. Watching other teams scrim every single day was brutal. A lot of those players are full-time streamers or content creators—that's their job. They have the luxury of grinding together daily. For me and my teammates? We were juggling work, different time zones... life. Our 'team practice' was mostly us grinding ranked mode solo and hoping for the best when we could finally get together. It felt like this once-in-a-lifetime chance was slipping through our fingers.

The Miracle Run

Somehow, against all odds, it all clicked. The practice we managed the day before the tournament gave me this insane burst of confidence. And confidence, I swear, is like 90% of performing well in Apex. We went into the Match Point format with something to prove, especially after facing some ugly accusations early on—people claiming we were cheating and throwing transphobic hate at Valefha. We used that garbage as fuel.

And then we did it. We won. An 11-kill final match to seal the victory. Proving the doubters wrong made that win taste so much sweeter. It was chaotic, beautiful, and absolutely perfect.

Why I'm Stepping Away (But Not Giving Up)

Even after that huge win, we stuck to our plan. Team Cuties disbanded. For me, competitive Apex at that relentless, daily grind level just isn't sustainable right now. But I'm not ruling out competing forever. My eyes are still on the biggest stage: the ALGS (Apex Legends Global Series).

Let's be real for a second. The women's scene exists for a crucial reason. Look at the ALGS Pro League—how many women do you see on that stage? In 2023's playoffs, there were zero. Zero! It's still very much a 'boys' club.' Women's tournaments like Her Galaxy aren't just about creating an all-women's league. They're a vital pathway. They give us a space to:

• 🎯 Practice at a high competitive level.

• 🔄 Try new strategies in a serious environment.

• 📈 Gain experience so we can try out for mixed teams and be taken seriously.

The Her Galaxy Open was a massive step because that huge prize pool made everyone pay attention. More viewers tuned in, and they saw women who can genuinely compete, strategize, and deserve a shot at those multi-million dollar ALGS lobbies.

The Dream for the Future

My hope? I want to see the bridge between women's tournaments and the ALGS get built. We need more co-ed tournaments, more opportunities for women to play alongside men at a high level before jumping into the absolute deep end. The Challenger Circuit is there, and maybe you'll see me pop up there someday. But the ecosystem needs to grow.

Winning Her Galaxy felt like a confident first step, not just for me, but for the scene. It showed what's possible. The road to true parity in esports is long, but it's a road worth building.

So, that's my story. I went out on top, with an amazing team, and my hope for the future of Apex is brighter than ever. The game's in a great place in 2026, and I can't wait to see who steps up next. Maybe it'll be one of the viewers who saw us win and thought, 'I can do that too.' That would be the best victory of all.

What do you think the future holds for women in competitive Apex? Let me know in the comments! ✨