WNXL Tampa Bay Open - Heroines and Shock
The 2026 season kicked off at the WNXL Tampa Bay Open, and this one felt different from the start. I played the event with both Shock and HEROINES, which meant it was going to be one of the busiest and most demanding tournaments I’ve had. I got to the airport in Medellin at 9 p.m. on March 10th already dealing with issues about my markers. After going back and forth with the airline, getting pulled for extra inspections, and signing papers I didn’t expect, I finally made it through.
I landed in Tampa at 9 a.m. the next morning, got picked up straight from the airport, and went directly to the Shock house to get everything ready. I grabbed my gear and picked up new equipment from our sponsors, cleats, marker, mask, everything.
At 1 p.m., the layout dropped, and I won’t lie, I didn’t love it at first.
Something about it just didn’t feel right, and I was doubting how much I was going to enjoy playing it. But there was no time to overthink. We went straight to the field and started running 3v3s with some of the Aftershock guys until around 6 p.m., just trying to get comfortable and understand how the field actually played.
Photo by: @Iron_gatemedia
Practice Grind
The next day we got more structured with it. We went over bunker names, zones, and started running full points along with more 3v3s. We stayed out there until about 4 p.m., then went out for food and picked up more gear from CRBN. From Friday through Sunday, the routine didn’t change much, wake up early, drive an hour to the field, and play from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. We practiced against teams like Blackout, SeaDogs, and New York Xtreme, teams I used to watch in pro and never imagined I’d be sharing the field with like that.
On Sunday afternoon, I switched things up and went to the HEROINES house instead of heading back with Shock. I rode with Nana and Tata’s mom, and I was honestly just excited to finally be with the girls. I only had one real day of practice with them before the event, so I knew I had to make it count.
When I got there, Anthony and I sat down to go over plays and talk about my role on the field. That night we kept it chill, watched a movie, and Hailey and I stayed up playing games. Monday was our only full practice together, but we made the most of it, got good reps in, and then went out for pizza and lasagna before calling it a night.
On Tuesday, Tami picked me up to head out with Shock. Shoutout to Pro Health, I got treated and felt amazing after that. We stopped by the event to walk around, then went back to Thunder Valley to keep practicing. After seven days on the layout, I felt ready. By Wednesday, when we walked into Raymond James Stadium, got our IDs, and saw the field set up, it finally hit that the event was about to start.
Photo by: Jasmin Guest Photography
Pro 3v3 Inside the Stadium
Before the main tournament, I had another challenge, Pro 3v3 inside the stadium. Being the first and only woman playing Pro 3v3 in that setting meant a lot to me.
We played X-Factor first, and even though I only got one point and it didn’t go how I wanted, the experience itself was unreal. Then we played Ironmen and actually won. We didn’t advance past that, but it was still a huge moment for me.
WNXL 3v3 & Player of the Year
I switched straight back into my HEROINES jersey for the 3v3 semifinals against Femmes. It was a back-and-forth match, and with under a minute left they got a major penalty. We were down 2–3 with only 15 seconds left and could only send two players.
Tata and I ran out with one goal: win the point. We pushed hard, and with a second left I jumped over the box and hit the buzzer. The ref gave me the thumbs up, and I thought we were going to overtime. Then we heard it, no point, game over. That one hurt.
We ended up taking 3rd.
Right after that, the Summit Awards for the 2025 season took place inside the stadium. When they handed me the paper and I saw WNXL Player of the Year 2025, I honestly couldn’t believe it. Walking out into the stadium when they called my name is something I’ll never forget.
Thursday Night Under the Lights
That same night, the real event started. Our first match was at 9 p.m. inside the stadium against High Rollers. We went up 3–0 early, and playing with the jumbotron showing everything felt like UAV in Call of Duty.
I was on their snake when I traded one of their last players, but we got hit with a major penalty that made it 3–1. Even with that, the girls stayed composed and closed it out. The game ended late, and I still had to be up at 4:30 a.m. for Shock.
Friday – Full Grind
Friday was packed. I played two early games with Shock at 8 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., and we won both. Later that day, I switched to HEROINES and we beat Immortal Angels 5–0.
Right after that, we played Voltage. The first point was rough, Chica and I were left in a 2v4, but we fought through it and ended up winning 5–0 as well. Perfect day.
Saturday – Locking Prelims
Shock handled business early and finished prelims with a perfect record, securing the third seed. Later, I played the last prelim match with HEROINES against Nevermores, who were also undefeated.
The first point was one of the hardest of the weekend. Chica and I were left in a 2v5, but with her communication I was able to close it out with a five-pack. We won 3–1 and finished with a perfect prelim record.
Sunday – Breaking the Curse
Sunday started rough with Shock. Penalties hurt us badly and we lost 1–6, but making Sunday in my first event with them still meant a lot.
Then it was time for HEROINES. We’ve always had a first-event curse, losing in semifinals, and this time it was Dallas Vibe.
First point, Chica and I got shot off the break. And somehow, the girls still pulled the point back. And then again, this time it was me, Katie and Tata fighting back. But we can win 3v5s all day. That’s just who we are. We went up 2–0, and in the last point it came down to Nana and me against four. I got one, they picked up a minor, and Nana closed it.
We broke the curse.
Finals – No Doubt
Finals were against High Rollers, and from the start it was full attack. No hesitation, no slowing down. Everything clicked, and we didn’t let momentum shift once.
We won 5–0 on a mercy rule.
WNXL Tampa Bay Open 2026 Champions.
Unreal weekend. Between Pro 3v3, Player of the Year, playing with Shock, and winning with HEROINES, everything happened at once.
Grateful for the girls, excited for what’s coming with the guys, and ready for the next one.
Next stop: Dover.
WNXL Overall MVP – Katie Kelley
WNXL Finals MVP – Chica
