No. 11 Virginia Tech's beatdown of Miami another statement ACC victory 

By Jack Brizendine

Editor in Chief

January 12, 2024

BLACKSBURG — Six weeks ago, No. 11 Virginia Tech was reeling off its 82-64 blowout loss to defending champion LSU.

A few days later following the loss, Tech head coach Kenny Brooks said the team was back to being “the hunters” instead of “the hunted,” implying that nationally the team was no longer being respected as one of the top teams in the country.

Since that night in Baton Rouge, Tech has won eight straight — including its huge upset win over No. 3 NC State — leading to the team's first 4-0 start to ACC play in program history. 

Thursday night’s 76-52 beatdown of Miami was Tech’s latest argument that it’s still the team that everyone expected it to be at the beginning of the year.

“It was a really good win for us, probably one of our better wins of the year,” Brooks said to reporters after the game. “One of our more complete games, definitely not complete, but I thought we did a really good job of mixing up our defenses [and it] kind of led to a little bit of our offense.”

Tech’s defense forced 11 turnovers in the first half, leading to quick open looks on the other end. Despite poor shooting from range in the first half, shooting 3-for-13 (23%), the Hokies were carried by Elizabeth Kitley, who scored 13 of Tech’s 14 first quarter points and 17 of the team’s first 18 points en route to her third 31-point outing of the season.

While Kitley held things down in the first quarter, the rest of the team got in on the action in the second, riding a pivotal 20-4 run to finish the half to lead 40-24 at the break.

“I think in the first quarter, we had a couple of opportunities that we could have stretched it out a bit. I think we were 0-for-4 or 0-for-8 or something like that in the first quarter from three, and we hit two or three of those [and] the whole complexion of the game has changed.”

Prior to the run, Miami trailed by just two points. The Hurricanes didn’t come within 15 points of the for the rest of the night after the stretch.

“I think we’re gelling at the right time,” Georgia Amoore said. “We’re discovering each other’s roles. I think that’s really important, especially when you have a bunch of new people coming in — they have to find their role, and I think everyone’s doing that right now. We still have a lot of basketball to play, but I’m glad that it’s all happening right now.”

Amoore has been one of the biggest keys in the team’s development, facilitating on offense with elite shooting, ball handling and passing, causing everyone on the floor to get their best looks.

Against the Hurricanes, she scored 16 and dished out six assists.

The dominance of Kitley and Amoore has fueled the team’s chemistry, allowing the Hokies to play more players than they have in seasons past, and it’s helped bring some of the younger players along at a much quicker pace.

“We have options,” Brooks said. “I’ve never had a team in my 22-year career this deep, where you can bring people in and there’s no drop off. It’s just a different dimension that you’re adding out there.”

Tech had 11 points off the bench against Miami, as reserves Carleigh Wenzel, Olivia Summiel and Clara Strack all scored.

The climb back to the top ACC is going to be a team effort, and it will only get easier for Brooks’ group as it continues to grow and mesh together. 

It’s a goal that the program and community share, and opponents have taken notice.

“I talked to Kenny before the game and it was just really cool to pull up and see people waiting in line to get into the arena,” Miami head coach Katie Meier said. “I’m just really proud of what he’s done here, and I’m proud of this community to get behind women’s basketball like they’ve done. Those are really talented players and I’d come pay to watch them as well. They're really good and they’re a really fun team to watch. They’re really connected and they play basketball the right way.”

Tech has another test on Sunday in Tallahassee against No. 21 Florida State as the team looks to move to 5-0 in league play and continue to establish itself again as one of the hunted in the ACC.