Overwatch DC adds first female OWL coach to staff - Upcomer
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Overwatch League D.C. AVALLA mkL coach

Overwatch DC adds first female OWL coach to staff

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The Washington D.C. Overwatch team is adding two new staff members to the organization. Joining D.C. will be assistant coach Molly “AVALLA” Kim from Korean Contenders team Meta Bellum. Meanwhile, analyst Mikael “mkL” Skjønhaug will be leaving American Contender’s team Last Night’s Leftover’s to join D.C. as well.

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AVALLA will be making history as the first-ever female coach in the Overwatch League. She has been working in the Contenders scene with Korean Overwatch Contender team, Meta Bellum. However, before her stints in North America, she would head coach a team in the Korean Overwatch Open Division for season three, Frecsia Gaming. That team would actually qualify for Contenders Trials Korea season two. Afterward, she would work with OpTic Academy and then finally Meta Bellum back in Korea.

On the other hand, analyst mkL was a former Norwegian coach for Talon Esports, a Chinese team competing in the Pacific Overwatch Contenders League. He would move over to North America as an analyst for NA Contender’s team, Last Night’s Leftovers. He would be a part of the organization during their playoff run in the second season of Contenders. More recently, mkL was on the coaching staff for the Norweigan national team at the Overwatch World Cup.

The two will be joining head coach Hyeong-seok “WizardHyeong” Kim as the newest members of the staff. “I’m happy to have AVALLA and mkL join the coaching staff. They bring international experience and a great work ethic. Together, we’re well on our way to building the best coaching staff in the league,” states Wizardhyeong.

Exciting Times

Meanwhile, both AVALLA, mkL and the organization are excited about the future in the Overwatch League. mkL would post a hopeful message to his social media’s, saying:

Being the first Norwegian in Overwatch League means a lot to me and hopefully I can make the Norwegian fans proud. Also very excited to be representing Overwatch DC, can’t wait to be working with this great staff to create something amazing for the fans!

AVALLA also took to social media to voice her excitement for the upcoming second season of the Overwatch League:

After spending one season in open division, NA Contenders, and KR Contenders, I am finally here at Overwatch League. As far as I know, I think I am the first female coach to make it here. Will work hard. I gave up law school to coach here.

We hope the best for both these members as the rest of Overwatch D.C. solidifies into a full roster. They have already been hard at work adding new pieces to the puzzle of their team. Recently, they were able to acquire former New York Excelsior main tank Joon-hwa “Janus” Song.  “Head coach and main tank are the two most important positions in Overwatch League. The entire style of the team flows from them,” explains Kate Mitchell, the team’s assistant general manager. Many teams believe that creating a solid foundation is important to a successful organization. By building from the inside-out, D.C. could be a very strong team moving forward.


What do you think of D.C. acquiring AVALLA and mkL? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! If you want more Overwatch League coverage, check us out here!