Elizabeth had sort of an off game on Thursday only seven rebounds to go with her 27 points in a 75-65 win against Pittsburgh. Expectations for her are high. And UNC possessed a three-point lead, 45-42, at the start of the fourth. 9 Hokies past No. Elizabeth Kitley has gone back-to-back. And as Brooks explained after the celebrations died down, Thursday in Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill will not be a night soon forgotten. Instant Reaction -- When players commmit it impacts not only the recruiting class rankings but the make up of teams going forward. [3] Before her senior season, Kitley suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during an Amateur Athletic Union game. TechSideline.com (a.k.a. For Virginia Tech, Kitley's addition gives them their second verbal commitment for the class of 2019 as Kitley is set to join her club teammate, Cayla King at the ACC school. TechSideline.com (a.k.a. Raven then walked into the building and was like, No, I dont see this happening. Cant say enough good things about this team. [1] As a sophomore, Kitley led Northwest Guilford to its first state championship at the 4A tournament and was named most valuable player (MVP) of the title game. You noticed her height, but her skills needed improvement, Brooks said. 2022-23 ACC Standings. Elizabeth Kitley is one of the nations best basketball players. Carolina is a great basketball team. (Olson). We got that look right there, Brooks said afterwards on the Virginia Tech Sports Network, and boom, as soon as it went up, the only thing that was on my mind was, How am I going to celebrate? Because I know thats good. That [shot] was like a stamp on the player of the year [award] in this league.. Ralph Kitley (44) played basketball at North Rowan in the 1980s, including on the Cavaliers' 1986 state championship team, before going on to play college basketball at Wake Forest. She knows what she likes, and I just love her innocence. Tallied six double-doubles on the season. To see it highlighted was special for Raven, and you could see the emotion on Elizabeths face. Copyright 2023 ProspectsNation.com. We have a lot to do, Kitley said. Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks did the best job. She averaged 18.2 points and 10.4 rebounds as a sophomore. She was and would always likely be the tallest player on the floor. Kitley was athletic enough in high school that he played tennis for the Cavaiers. To purchase, click on the "add to cart" link below. Before tipoff, Brooks brought Raven out to halfcourt for a special presentation. That support extends to everything she does. She shot 56% from the field. 2023 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Kitley is the 20 th woman in league history to be named First . He was a Duke fan. I told Tom the next day that Elizabeth wanted to stick with softball and he was pretty disgusted with me, Ralph said. McKinsey & Company is an equal opportunity employer. Kitley was also recognized as an All-Defensive Team member for the second consecutive season. The Kitleys would echo those sentiments. They were AAU teammates and they played against each other twice in high school. However, Kayana Traylor was the other key for the Hokies outside of Kitleys record-breaking performance. This INCLUDES a player card and access to premium player evaluations in the senior, junior and sophomore classes. The reason? Kitley was one of two ACC athletes to record a 20-rebound game and was the only one to score 30 points twice. She's expecting a deep run for @HokiesWBB here in Greensboro Georgia Amoore and Liz Kitley 9 12 306 Liz Kitley For more details about the site, including a list of TechSideline.com staff, see our About page. That came from watching Mike Gminski play for the Blue Devils in the late 1970s. Norths 1985-86 season is legendary. All the players have jelled together to make a great team. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Rated a five-star recruit by ESPN, [5] she committed to play for Virginia Tech at the college level under head coach Kenny Brooks. REPORT YOUR COMMITMENT TO commit@prospectsnation.com. Virginia Tech demonstrates impact as a global land grant progressing sustainability in our community, through the Commonwealth of Virginia, and around the world. We will be adding new players and evaluations every week as well as updating our subscriber-only video content. ET, ACC Network). She made a lot of friends on that team, which is cool because shes 30 years old and shes not in school, so she doesnt get that experience to see people her age or people like her anymore. The algorithm is weighted as follows: On3 (35%), 247Sports (35%), Rivals.com (20%), and ESPN (10%). Brooks and Virginia Tech showed that love for the Kitleys this past fall when the womens basketball program designated its Dec. 12 nonconference game against Radford as an Autism Awareness Game. UNCheat got the ending they deserved; you could have heard a pin drop. Like any member of a team, Raven knows the players very well, particularly Cayla King, who was a high school teammate of Elizabeths at Northwest Guilford. She participated in the Carolinas Classic where she recorded 13 points and 8 rebounds. Retirement provided the opportunity to follow his daughters career. Beat my career high in her first game.. On the same night, Elizabeth Kitley became the all-time leading scorer in Virginia Tech womens basketball history and hit a buzzer-beater to lift the No. There are practical reasons for the latter. Elizabeth and Cayla King both committed to Virginia Tech. Kitley also made the All-ACC first team for the third time, the most in program history. That relationship played a role in Elizabeths decision to come to Virginia Tech. Required fields are marked *. Presented by. That would be awesome, she said. The Virginia Tech senior center was named the ACC women's basketball player of the year on Tuesday for the second straight season. Hoping for a great season from the Ladies! Elizabeth Kitley denies NC State Wolfpack with block. Were two peas in a pod, Raven Kitley said. After growing into the game, it shot 8-of-15 (53%) in the second period. Kitley grew up playing basketball, softball and volleyball, preferring softball by fifth grade. 0 . However, Tech locked itself into the No. Most of the people he encounters ask about Kitleys daughter, Elizabeth, a 6-foot-6 Virginia Tech junior who has blossomed into one of the best college players in the country. It wasnt a pretty start for the Hokies. She doesnt do anything half-way. [1], On November 11, 2021, Kitley tallied 34 points and nine rebounds, making a program-record 17 field goals, in a 7538 win over George Washington. She has one more year before that decision needs to be made. If you want to get the scoop on Elizabeth Kitley then you'll need to sign up for the Prospects Nation Yearly Platinum Membership. But Traylor hit the groups lone trey in that span while Kitley was 4-of-4. She spent this past offseason at a USA Basketball camp, where she worked on breaking out of double teams and using her vision to find an open teammate something she admits she struggled with her first two years. He assisted legend Howard West with the R.J. Reynolds boys team. GO HOKIES. Email highlight video links (up to three)to chris@prospectsnation.com after completing purchase. Virginia Tech is 14-4 overall and 6-1 and in second place in the ACC. He got a chance to play professionally in Germany and Brazil before he launched in career in education as a teacher and coach. Were winning, and were winning with the player of the year. Access to the our full signing class rankings. Were winning on a day that she becomes the all-time leading scorer in Virginia Tech history. Liz and Kayana saved us but it was a great effort from what has evolved as a TEAM. He pretty much just handed me a uniform and said, go play, Kitley said at the ACC Tip-Off in Charlotte in mid-October. But they kept fighting, kept fighting, kept fighting. On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media, Inc. WOODY MARSHALL, NEWS & RECORD. To Kitley, individual accolades dont matter as much as team success does. She started every game for the Hokies and averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. When the former five-star recruit committed in 2019, she was one of Techs highest rated recruits of all-time at No. Kayana Traylor added 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Georgia Amoore had eight points, seven assists and two steals for Virginia Tech (24-4, 14-4 ACC). Ralph was 15 and had just performed well in a camp at Wake Forest. These sorts of inclusive activities offer a sense of belonging and foster the kind of confidence that we all want for our loved ones. She said, Well, my dad was MVP as a senior. That whole day was tremendous for Raven, no question, Ralph said. For the Kitleys, their deep relationships with Virginia Tech extend beyond the coaching staff. On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media, Inc. Virginia Tech's Liz Kitley partners with Gourmet Pantry in NIL deal. Shes taught me what its like to be around people that are living with autism. No other Tech player posted double figures, but Kitley and Traylor stepped up, especially in the second half. The Hokies won the game and achieved an even higher purpose. Thanks for this nice article on Kitley! The opinions of the author(s) on this site are independent and no way reflect the opinions of the Virginia Tech administrators, coaches, staff, or athletes. Elizabeth Kitley gets the lay-in to fall vs. Miami Hurricanes, NC State Wolfpack vs. Virginia Tech Hokies: Full Highlights, Elizabeth Kitley denies NC State Wolfpack with block. 22 North Carolina, 61-59. Kitleys sophomore season was, by far, his best. We have a chance at having the player of the year in both mens & womens hoops. There are no current NIL deals for this player. You fast forward seven years later and were coming into Carmichael and were winning. Though she didnt say it, its widely expected for her to be in contention for ACC Player of the Year, where she finished second in preseason polling to NC States Elissa Cunane, her good friend and former AAU teammate. She arrived as a raw talent thats worked hard to get to the skill level shes currently at, as head coach Kenny Brooks described. She also improved her mid-range shooting, which could make her one of if not the most difficult players to match up with in the ACC. Its been a total team effort.. [13] Kitley sustained a right shoulder injury against North Carolina in the quarterfinals of the 2022 ACC tournament and was sidelined as her team lost to NC State in the following game. 9 Hokies past No. Thank you and congrats ladies, Coach Brooks and staff. She picked up competitive basketball quickly as she dominated in high school, where she won two Class 4 North Carolina state championships. [11] Kitley averaged 18.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore, earning first-team All-ACC honors. Need to stay focused on GT. Additional event recaps not available to non-subscribers. Dave Odom had replaced Staak and Joel Coliseum had become Wake Forests new homecourt, but Kitleys role stayed about the same. And while it cranked up the offensive efficiency in the third with a 4-of-7 quarter that included two 3-pointers, it limited Carolina to just 5-of-18 (28%) from the field. Its cool to see her with other people that she feels get her, Elizabeth said. Most of his years were spent as an assistant principal and principal at Northwest Guilford. There are no statistics for this selected season available for this player. TSL) is an independent publication that is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Virginia Tech or the Virginia Tech Athletic Department. He recruited Raven almost as hard as he did Elizabeth. And it makes going to games easier, Ralph said. 2 NC State", "Elizabeth Kitley opens season as ACC's Co-Player of the Week", "Kitley, Amoore too much as VT defeats FSU", "Virginia Tech Hokies' ACC women's basketball tournament run ends without star Elizabeth Kitley in loss to NC State", "Kitley scores 42 points in Virginia Tech's 84-81 loss to FGCU", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Kitley&oldid=1142281685, Virginia Tech Hokies women's basketball players, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 15:02. Szokol opened on . Kitley is among the best players in the nation, the reigning ACC Player of the Year. This subscription option renews on a yearly basis. Period. It was so awesome, Raven said. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Area Sports Briefs: Mustangs win in Georgia, High school basketball: The roots for West Rowans girls program, College indoor track: Local athletes help Pfeiffer, College mens basketball: All-South Atlantic Conference team. Awesome win! In the 2018 class, Virginia Tech has commitments from Dara Mabrey and Shaniya Jones. When he became the new pastor at Central United Methodist in Spencer in the summer of 1983, the family relocated. Kitley scored over 1,000 points in her career and was a McDonald's All-American nominee. She scores 27 points in her first game, Kitley said with a chuckle. Traylor exploded in the third quarter, scoring eight of Techs 14. "Elizabeth took 24 hours to call every coach that recruited her to let them know her decision and to thank them," Kitley said. (Virginia Tech athletics) On Tuesday, Virginia Tech center Elizabeth Kitley was named the ACC Women's Basketball Player of the Year for 2021-22.