When life gives you a 4.0 GPA and a dream, you don't stop grinding—you just add more to the plate. That's exactly what Jett "Srtty" Joyce did while waiting for his second chance in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS). Balancing solo queue sessions, streaming, and accounting coursework with a perfect academic record, Joyce proved that dedication knows no boundaries.

Then came the call that changed everything. In early May, Disguised (DSG) team manager Chris Yong reached out with an opportunity. Their top laner, Cho "Castle" Hyeon-seong, was moving to LYON, leaving a critical gap in the roster for the final two weeks of the split. DSG needed a replacement fast, and Joyce was ready to step up.

Now, Joyce and DSG face a do-or-die showdown against Shopify Rebellion at Riot Games Studios in Santa Monica, California. The stakes couldn't be higher: the winner secures a playoff berth, while the loser must regroup for the crucial summer split. With only ten days of scrims under his belt—and none against Saturday's opponent—Joyce remains confident. "They have a lot of issues," he said of Shopify Rebellion. "Individually, the players are mostly fine, but if we end up losing to them, that would be really sad. They're not great right now. I am better than that, and I think of my teammates as better than that as well."

Returning to the stage for the first time since August 24, 2025, Joyce admitted to some nerves in his debut match against Dignitas in Week 6. But those jitters quickly faded as he helped DSG secure a 2-0 victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive. With three kills, two deaths, and 17 assists, Joyce showed that even after nine months of mostly solo queue—a far cry from high-level competitive play—his skills remain sharp. "I went into it pretty anxious because I have not played competitive recently," Joyce said. "But I did really well against all these players."

For a player who never stopped grinding, this second chance is more than just a shot at the playoffs—it's proof that hard work, both in the classroom and on the Rift, always pays off.