Reaching level 3 is very easy - if you’re not toxic and willing to be flexible, you get there. For what seems to be a neutral matchmaking effect. (see BartFitz and Yaaaas as reference in this very thread)
Apart from that it doesn’t seem outlandish that if endorsement level influences match making, new accounts might be excluded from that, much like they aren’t given an MMR after their first match but rather “shopped around” at different skill levels to find the right place for them.
I would be down to see some more information on this actually, as one thing I’ve learned is sometimes I read things just like this on the forum that makes me look at the game with fresh eyes sometimes. I’m not sure if anyone else does the same.
Reading this thread has made me more aware and I’ve been sort of monitoring it ever since and so far I am finding this to be true, but if a few people did it and brought your notes back we’d have a property formed opinion! That would be cool! Or is that just my geekery talkin?