No. 8 Virginia Tech trounces High Point on opening night, 94-55

By Nathan Andrews

Staff Writer

November 7, 2023

BLACKSBURG — Familiar faces made their presence known inside of Cassell Coliseum on Monday night as No. 8 Virginia Tech unveiled its ACC Championship and Final Four banners in honor of its historic 2023 postseason. 

The Hokies didn’t disappoint those familiar faces on opening night — not one bit. 

Coming into this season, Tech had a mere three returning players: Georgia Amoore, Cayla King and ACC player of the year Elizabeth Kitley. While hopes were staggeringly high after the team’s performance last season, there were questions on how cohesive the team would be with a completely different roster. 

“You just didn’t know what to expect,” Tech head coach Kenny Brooks said. “There were a lot of sleepless nights for me this week just trying to figure out how they were going to perform.” 

Tech playing its season opener wasn’t the only storyline of the night, however. It was banner night at Cassell, and the previous team’s roster got together to sport their rings and reminisce on the big dance from last season. 

And when it’s banner night, that means some familiar faces were spotted in Blacksburg on opening night. Taylor Soule, D’Asia Gregg, Clara Ford and Chloe Brooks were in the house to receive their stripes for the journey Tech’s team embarked on last year.

“T Soule actually surprised everyone a couple of nights ago and we literally cried, because she came over from Italy,” Kitley said. “We weren’t expecting her to be here at all, so her along with D’Asia, Clara and Chloe; it’s just great to see them. Obviously, we made some incredible memories last year so seeing them always brings us back up.” 

Once the rings were handed out, it was time for tipoff against a solid High Point team. With a second-place finish in the Big South, the Panthers were only one win away from going dancing during the season prior. Although the Hokies were 4-0 in the all-time series going into the contest, Brooks had a lot of praise for head coach Chelsea Banbury’s squad. 

“Obviously, it was a really good win against a team that was tricky,” Brooks said. “I didn’t like playing High Point the first game of the year. They run an unorthodox offense; a lot of screens and splits.”

Once the ball was tipped, the Hokies picked up right where they left off last season. Kitley’s 14 first quarter points helped Tech jump out to a 38-15 lead going into the second frame. 

“I mean I think we’re just excited to finally play,” Michigan State transfer guard Matilda Ekh said. “We have been practicing for a long time, so we were just ready to play someone else [rather] than each other.”

Ekh was a key player for the Hokies on Monday night, delivering 15 points in her VT debut. She was hot from long range, shooting 3-for-7 from behind the arc.

“I was nervous before the game,” Ekh said. “I’m always a little bit nervous, but this was extra playing for a new team and a new arena and everything. I got a little calmer as soon as we started playing, but especially hitting my first shot, then I could actually relax and just keep playing.”

The transfer guard is another long-range shooting threat for Tech’s offense, opening up the floor for everyone else.

“She just fits our system perfectly,” Kitley said. “Obviously, anyone that can spread the floor and give us more room for driving lanes or moves inside is gonna be really valuable. Not only is she a great basketball player, but she’s also a smart player and a good person. [She’s] able to communicate with us really well. She’s really valuable and just a really good fit for Virginia Tech.”

From there on out, it was a blowout in Blacksburg. Kitley, Amoore, King and Ekh all contributed 14 points or more to help put the Panthers away.

Kitley collected 27 points and 11 rebounds, notching her first double-double of the year on opening night. Amoore nearly had a double-double of her own, coming up just one assist shy.

“Georgia played a phenomenal game because she had nine assists and one turnover,” Brooks said. “She had us going. We had a really good flow. She was finding people.”

Another win-determining stat line was the three-point success the women found on Monday night. Tech shot 42 percent from behind the arc against High Point, going 11-for-26. Cayla King was a deadeye, making 4-of-7 from deep. 

It was a major success over a High Point team that saw two of its players reach double digits against Tech. Nakyah Terrell and Lauren Bevis split 30 points against the No. 8 team in the nation. Bevis went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. 

Although the Hokies found tons of success against the Panthers, they now face a daunting test coming up on Thursday. Caitlyn Clark and No. 3 Iowa await next game in a star-studded, top-ten matchup between two previous Final Four squads. 

“You know, it’s not a game that I’m happy about, but I’m happy about it,” Brooks said. “Who wants to play Iowa in the second game? Not me. But I think it’s a game that’s gonna be great for the women’s game in general, not just Hokie Nation. It’s a win-win situation for women’s basketball.”

After a dominant victory at home, the Hokies look to prove themselves even more at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

“To get one under our belt — it’s sweet satisfaction,” Brooks said.