Nia Williams ’26 has been part of Island Pacific Academy’s eSports program since its very first year. Earlier this month, the program honored her with its first-ever Senior Night — a new tradition that Coach Melani Erice-Cortorreal hopes will remind every player that their dedication leaves a lasting mark.
“eSports is something that is very personal to me,” Nia says. “I have always had a passion for playing video games ever since my dad got me into them when I was a kid.” When Coach Erice-Cortorreal reached out to her in 8th grade about joining the newly launched program, Nia didn’t hesitate. “Being able to play games with people on the same level as you is very refreshing,” she says.
IPA eSports launched five years ago under the guidance of then-Athletic Director Greg Terhune, who saw an opportunity to offer students a competitive program beyond traditional athletics. Coach Erice-Cortorreal, a new teacher at the time with experience building similar programs at previous schools, came on board to help bring it to life. They started with two Nintendo Switches, two teams, and one game: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Today, the program has grown to 16 switches, a roster of 10 to 20 students per season, and competition across multiple titles including Splatoon 3, Mario Kart, NBA 2K, and Rocket League.
Nia was among the first to join. She came in as an 8th grader — the youngest on the team, and one of the only girls competing in eSports in the state at the time. “To say that Nia was shy is an understatement,” Coach Erice-Cortorreal recalls. “In school, Nia was already a quiet student, and in this space, it was definitely an intimidating experience for her.”
What helped her find her footing was the team around her. Early on, after a tough loss, her older teammates — all high school boys — rallied around her. “As an 8th grader among high schoolers dealing with a loss, I think Nia realized that there are people besides her classmates who actually see her and would support her,” Coach Erice-Cortorreal says. “I will always be proud of those boys. Building a team is always about building a support system.”
Over the years, Nia found her game. She became a key voice in expanding the program’s library to include Splatoon 3 and, under the mentorship of former IPA alumnus Dason Lee ’23, developed her skills from basic play to reading maps and anticipating opponents’ strategies. Splatoon 3 became her strongest title and her favorite. In her last two seasons, she served as Captain of the Splatoon team, leading IPA to a ranking of 8th out of 40 schools from Alaska to California — the only Hawaiʻi school competing in that league.
Her approach to leadership reflects who she is. “Nia guides from the back,” Coach Erice-Cortorreal says, “earnestly encouraging her team with soft words and heartfelt support.”
For Nia, the journey has been about more than competition. She arrived at IPA describing herself as incredibly shy — someone who would email teachers rather than approach them in person. The community she found, in eSports and across the school, gradually changed that. “With the help of these same teachers and the friends I’ve made, I have become a bit more sociable,” she says. “I feel that thanks to the supportive community, I’ve gained some confidence over the years.” That sense of belonging, she adds, has defined her time at IPA. “There will always be someone by my side supporting me, whether it be friends, family, or the community that I’m within.”
Coach Erice-Cortorreal hopes Senior Night becomes a lasting tradition — one that signals to future players that eSports demands the same dedication as any athletic program. Like traditional sports, competitive gaming requires hours of practice, studied strategy, and the ability to perform as a team under pressure. “It helps solidify that we are a sports program,” she says. “This gives the next group of students something to look forward to — to understand that their participation and presence mean something to the team and that they are leaving behind a legacy, too.”
On Senior Night, teammates gathered to honor Nia with lei and a final round of games together — a send-off fitting for a program built on competition and community.
Nia is grateful for every part of the journey. “I’m thankful to Ms. Mel for supporting me through my eSports journey,” she says, “and to the rest of the team, who always made sure that there was never a dull moment during games or practices.” It feels like we’re one big supportive family,” she adds — a reflection that speaks not just to eSports, but to everything IPA has meant to her.
IPA eSports congratulates Nia Williams ’26 on her Senior Night and wishes her well in everything ahead.
