Are solo players excluded from getting hextech chests?

I played a great game today on my favorite champ, got an S rating and a level 6 token. I was really excited about this until I started reading into exactly how to get my level 6 rank. What I read says you have to have 2 tokens AND a champion shard or essence. Then I read that you can only get chests if you get an S- or higher AND you're in a pre-made. So if I don't play with friends I just can't get a chest, and thereby the shard or essence I need for my rank 6?