Following NRG’s victory and qualification for VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Americas Playoffs, Sheep Esports sat down with Ethan "Ethan" Arnold about the team’s initial struggles on Sunset and subsequent resurgence on Lotus and Haven, his evolving in-game leadership, and the changes influencing Stage 2. He reflected on refining the map pool, integrating Challengers League's standout Logan "Skuba" Jenkins, and blending teamwork and creativity from Evil Geniuses' championship run.

How would you assess your performance and the team’s overall performance in tonight’s matches?

Ethan "Ethan" Arnold: "As a team, we played very well. It took us a little while to warm up in terms of team play, and some individuals really popped off toward the end of the game. As for myself, I think I was pretty mediocre in the first two games, and then I got us some pretty important rounds on Haven. I’d like to think that’s good.

You started very strongly in the first round on Sunset. In your opinion, what was missing to close out the map?

Ethan: I think we’re lacking a bit of depth on Sunset right now. When the things we usually rely on don’t work, we don’t really know what to fall back on at the moment. That’s something we need to improve. It was a really good match for us to learn from, and we’ll do so going into playoffs.

Were there any turning points or key rounds that you feel defined the match for NRG?

Ethan: On Lotus, honestly, we had many team fights, and that was a big defining factor compared to Sunset, where there were a lot of 1v1s. We talked it through, everyone put it into practice, and as a team, we fought together a lot on Lotus, and that carried over into Haven as well. That helped a lot.

You’ve taken on more in-game leadership responsibilities this season. How has that role affected your approach to playing and calling the game today?

Ethan: I’m learning a lot. It’s hard, but it’s about staying focused no matter what happens and not letting something bad affect my teammates. Keep looking forward. It’s a big learning experience I learn every day, and that’s the important part.

Is there one thing you learned this season that you’re particularly glad to have learned?

Ethan: I’ve learned how to express and manage my emotions within the team. In the past, I could get tilted mostly at myself, but sometimes at teammates, and that isn’t productive. I’ve worked on containing that and on being a more constructive leader in specific moments. Keeping that balance has been important for me and for the group.

What are your goals for this season with NRG, and if you had to rank your team in the VCT Americas standings, where would you place yourselves?

Ethan: The primary goal is to make Champions; everything else follows from that. In terms of where we stand, I think we’re usually a top-three team when we’re playing our game. If everyone’s confident in each other and themselves, and we execute as a unit, I genuinely believe we can be the best.

What adjustments will NRG make in practice or strategy after this start to the season Stage 2?

Ethan: We’ve doubled down on in-depth discussions around specific maps and have been refining the map pool more deliberately. Earlier in the season, we were truly comfortable on only a couple of maps; now we’re pushing to broaden that comfort so there are fewer gaps to target. That breadth will be important as we head toward Champions, and it’s a focal point of our prep. Beyond that, we’re emphasizing being ourselves, playing the best version of our own identity.

With players such as Skuba coming from VCL, how has the transition been since he joined you?

Ethan: Honestly, his integration was very smooth. He fit in quickly with the group, even if it took a little time to “unlock” him fully at the start. Once we figured out how to set him up and let his strengths shine, he’s been incredible. He’s a strong piece to have on any roster, and he’s added a lot.

How do you personally process a series like this? Are there lessons you’ll carry into the next match?

Ethan: The big reminder is that a slow start doesn’t dictate how you finish. We lost the first map pretty badly, but we turned the series around by returning to how we’re supposed to play. When we actually do that, stick to our identity and fundamentals, the matches tend to feel much more manageable. That’s a lesson worth carrying forward.

What specific standards or habits from that EG era still shape how you lead and call the game at NRG today, and where did you feel that most in today’s series?

Ethan: Creativity is the biggest carryover. With EG, we leaned on creativity and teamwork, especially because we weren’t the best at the beginning. Those two pillars, good team play and a willingness to innovate, are what ultimately won us that year. In VALORANT, staying on top requires that creative edge, and I try to bring that into how I lead and call.

What lasting lessons on culture, pressure, and roster stability from EG’s title peak and the ensuing turmoil guide you now, and how do they shape your preparation against former teammates or EG?

Ethan: I’ve tried to maintain good relationships everywhere I’ve been. Any time I’ve moved teams or people have left, I’ve stayed on good terms with everyone, including the organization. There’s no bad blood with that roster at all. I literally just spoke with C0M (Corbin Lee) on stage, wished him luck, and dapped him up. I still love those guys; it’s all respect, and that mindset makes competing against former teammates straightforward.

For young players in the VCL who want to step up as an IGL and enter the VCT, what should be the main focus ?

Ethan: Your job is to keep your team performing at its best. In this game, everyone should have the agency to make calls and propose ideas; it doesn’t have to be a single voice dictating everything. The challenge for an in-game leader is to create an environment where that shared initiative actually happens, where players feel empowered and aligned. Drawing that out of your teammates is the crucial part.

Do you have any pre-match routine before going into an official?

Ethan: I like to run in the morning, that’s the one consistent thing. Nothing dramatic. Get the body moving, get warmed up, and then a quick prep and talk with the boys."