The Housing Issue
‘STUPID FUCKING BIRD’ SET TO PLAY FEB. 25-MARCH 1 AT SQUIRES STUDIO THEATRE
Max Painchaud | news writer
Students perform in American playwright Aaron Posner’s play.
From Feb. 25-March 1, Virginia Tech students will perform in American playwright Aaron Posner’s play “Stupid Fucking Bird.”
Directed by David Gammons, Virginia Tech’s assisting professor of directing, “Stupid Fucking Bird” is a contemporary adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s play, “The Seagull.”
Gammons described that “The Seagull” significantly influences “Stupid Fucking Bird.” “‘The Seagull’ is a milestone in western theatre history because of the European naturalism used in the play and how it helped develop both the characters and story in ‘The Seagull’ and ‘Stupid Fucking Bird,’” Gammons said.
“The play is broadly about love and relationships, particularly unrequited love,”
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Gammons said. “While it’s about love, it’s also about the parallel way in which artists are trying to find new forms, make new work and make new kinds of art.”
In “Stupid Fucking Bird,” there are seven characters that make up the play. Gammons mentioned that the major themes of love and art in this play help show the complexities of relationships.
“You have this sort of crazy, and sometimes I call it ‘dodecahedron’ instead of a love triangle, because it feels like there’s so many parts and relationships you have,” Gammons said.
Gammons explained that one thing that makes “Stupid Fucking Bird” similar to its predecessor, “The Seagull”, is how it’s a play within a play.
“We have a play where people put on a
play within the play … it is reflecting back on its own theatricality, and that increases some of the humor,” Gammons said.
Despite “Stupid Fucking Bird” being labeled a comedy, Posner incorporated both humor and heavy moments in the play referring to themes in “The Seagull” and how it was seen as a tragedy.
“The play does touch on some serious topics,” Gammons said. “The central character, Conrad, has suicidal ideation and those big existential questions that have been the subject of plays for thousands of years.”
When asked why he chose “Stupid Fucking Bird”, Gammons described that one of various reasons was its connection to a former Virginia Tech student.
has never been in a theatre show before,” Gammons said.
“There is a lot of focus on the actors, but the design plays a major part in how I’ve envisioned the play and how we’re telling the story, and the story in the story,” Gammons said after being asked if the set of the play heavily influenced the contemporary storyline.
Gammons explained that one of the main takeaways from the play is the importance of connection.
“We’re always trying on some level to connect, and we need one another, whether that’s in romance and love or creation and art making, we’re looking for a person who can connect with us in some way. Sometimes, we need to be able to be surprised about those connections,” Gammons said.
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“Interestingly, the premier production, which happened in D.C. in 2013, the mother character, Emma, was played by a graduate of the Virginia Tech theatre department, Kate Norris,” Gammons said.
There is a wide diversity in the cast, according to Gammons. “It’s really diverse in a number of ways. Not only are there students from non-theatre majors, but we also have an athlete and a student who
NEWSROOM
Information on the viewing of “Stupid Fucking Bird” is available on Virginia Tech’s School of Performing Arts website.
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OPINIONS SUPER BOWL 59 HALFTIME SHOW: A SYMBOLIC MASTERPIECE OR A MISSED OPPORTUNITY?
Mohib Amjad | opinions assistant editor
Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show embodies symbolism of what the U.S. should really be.
The Super Bowl halftime show is more than just a performance — it’s a cultural spectacle, a moment where music and sports collide on the grandest stage. Super Bowl 59’s halftime performance was the most watched show of all time and it featured Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Serena Williams, Samuel L. Jackson and DJ Mustard.
Lamar’s performance had various symbolic gestures aimed at the current political climate in the United States, where there seems to be a political divide in the country. The performance started with Lamar on a 1987 Buick GNX. This car is symbolic because all the background performers step out of it — the moment they step out, they separate into two groups. This model of GNX is also the cover for his new album ‘GNX’. This separation into two groups symbolizes how Americans all come from the same place but divide themselves based on their identity, whether it be political or racial. After the divide, the dancers came together to form the American flag. This references the fact that diverse U.S. citizens can be a unifying force to mend the tears in the fabric of society. The separation of the two groups becomes most prominent when he is performing his song “Bodies” and sings the verse, “The revolution ‘bout to be televised, you picked the wrong person but the right time.” This is a play on the lyrics from a popular song from Gil Scott-Herron, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. This
could be an ode to President Trump, who was in the audience while attending the game, and his social policies due to Lamar’s known disdain towards the president, as well as his symbolic gestures for aiming to draw attention to racism throughout his performance.
Another form of symbolism was Jackson dressing up as Uncle Sam, the personification of the United States federal government. Lamar’s music revolves around the topic of minority rights and being a voice for the African American community. When Uncle Sam came to the show to introduce the Super Bowl as the “Great American Game” just for it to be followed by Lamar’s performance, it symbolizes the fact that the African American community is just as much part of the United States as other communities. Uncle Sam’s second appearance comes moments before the performers come together to form the American flag, symbolizing unity, and comments on his music as “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto, Mr. Lamar. Do you know how to play the game?” Then, the camera switches to Lamar standing in the middle of the flag and singing his song “Humble,” which is about his struggles in the early days of his career and how these struggles are common in people of his background. Lamar also says the phrase, “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music,” during the halftime show which refers to Special Field Order
No. 15 which promised the distribution of confiscated Confederate land to the African American community. He reminds us that this performance isn’t just about his music, but rather about drawing everyone’s attention to more pressing issues like discrimination.
In a time when a lot of minorities are concerned for themselves due to recent actions of the U.S. government, Uncle Sam appears, taunting and commenting on Lamar’s performance. This symbolizes the government and its controversial decisions regarding minorities. Lamar replies with his songs not caring about Uncle Sam and instead focuses on his performance and his “home boys.” This is something that Lamar wants us to realize: as long we have each other, no government or entity can harm us or make us weak.
Lamar also performed “All the Stars” with SZA, a song from the movie “Black Panther.” Both the comic book series as well as the movie were a form of a cultural celebration for all communities around the world affected by colonialism, especially the African American community in the U.S. This song is about how our dreams are within our reach and how we can achieve them. In an era where hopelessness and depression are at an all-time high, this song gives hope to the people who need it the most — the minority communities.
Apart from the symbolism, the
performance had its moments of splendor. It may not have been at the level of the past performances with Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson or Beyonce, but the performance from SZA was something you would expect from a Super Bowl halftime show from the vocal excellence to the stage presence. Her melodic brilliance was a nice contrast to Lamar’s politically charged performance and her segment was one of the highlights of the entire show. Even Lamar’s performance was notable, especially with “Not Like Us.” He proved that he could perform a song without cussing, background vocals — a different cadence than his usual style — and choreography, all while maintaining eye contact with the cameras. Other artists’ reactions have also been mixed with JPEGMAFIA, Stephen Smith and Angel Reese praising the show, while comedian Theo Von tweeted how this was a “boring halftime show.”
Lamar at this moment isn’t big enough in every age group to be appreciated by everyone. However, if we look beyond the songs and focus on the symbolism and the well-crafted message behind this show, his halftime performance did justice to the grandeur of the Super Bowl — in an era where people feel lost, entertainment intertwined with activism is what we need.
WHY DID TRUMP SAVE TIKTOK?
Karl Chamberlain | opinions columnist
While media bias is inevitable, TikTok shouldn’t be biased for the rights of its users.
After a brief, histrionic period of darkness, President Donald Trump vowed to save TikTok and received the platform’s praise for diffusing the bomb that he planted. A message appeared on millions of users’ screens, reading “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
From the warm tone of TikTok’s statement, you’d never guess that Trump was responsible
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The statement references Trump’s executive order to delay TikTok’s recent ban, which was signed by former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and received a rare bipartisan push in Congress. TikTok dramatized the ordeal, and illustrated Trump as some heroic protagonist, even though he previously attempted to ban them with a different executive order during his first presidency. With Trump to thank for their sustained operations in America, TikTok could be prone to developing an indiscreet political bias, which is becoming a concerning trend in social media companies.
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for instigating the app’s national ban. Although concerns had lingered since 2019, Trump was the first to take regulatory action against TikTok in 2020. Why the change of heart? When asked by reporters, Trump responded “Because I got to use it.” What Trump didn’t mention was that Jeff Yass, whose firm owns an estimated $40 billion in shares of ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, was involved in a merger with Trump Media & Technology. Susquehanna International Group, Yass’s quantitative trading firm, owns the most institutional shares of Digital Media Acquisition Corporation, which merged with Trump Media in March of 2024. This string of investments doesn’t directly align Trump and Yass’s financial interests, but it’s certainly not irrelevant.
Trump’s act of mercy towards the legitimately threatening media platform could have been fueled by a variety of incentives, like gaining favor among younger generations or leveraging power over TikTok. The Biden administration called TikTok’s shutdown a “stunt,” since the law was not yet in effect. The app going dark and alerting all active users of Trump’s involvement was completely superfluous.
The ultimate impact amounted to a massive Trump advertisement that bolstered his image as the TikTok savior. TikTok’s political incentive to please the president and Trump’s indirect financial incentive to keep the corporation’s heart beating creates a cycle of impartiality. Trump is making widely impactful decisions governed by personal interests and TikTok is compromising themselves as an outlet of free expression.
TikTok already demonstrated a rightleaning agenda during the 2024 election, according to a New York University Abu Dhabi study. It’s too early for there to be any substantial evidence to suggest TikTok is altering their algorithm in response to Trump’s magnanimity, but their recent behavior should be seen as a warning.
There’s significantly less research on TikTok’s political biases compared to other social media sites, unlike X, formerly known as Twitter, which has also recently developed government ties and an overt algorithmic favor towards the right. In October 2022, Elon Musk bought X and began to exercise his power. When former President Biden was receiving more post engagement than Musk in 2023, he demanded the code be changed. The
code was released publicly a month later revealing that Musk’s posts are prioritized, where he frequently projects conservative viewpoints. To a lesser extent, other Republican accounts also received an engagement spike following Musk’s acquisition. If nothing else, this shows that Musk is willing to bend the rules to get what he wants. He uses his executive power to promote himself and sometimes spread blatant misinformation.
Musk’s appointment as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, a program created by President Trump, further complicates things. An extremely influential government official with close ties to the president is in control of a massive social media outlet. A man as morally questionable as Musk can’t be trusted with a conflict of interest that has national implications. X and TikTok’s co-dependent relationships with the White House usher in a unique dilemma made possible by the digital age.
Actual news outlets are clearly biased and always have been; Fox being rightleaning and CNN being left-leaning are axioms in American culture. Social media is different. While the majority of both news and social media outlets are managed by
massive, politically motivated corporations, the structure of discourse is fundamentally different. Professional journalists are paid to write articles and choose where they work, so the audience understands how they align. Everyone is biased, but a biased coalition is distinctly different from an unrelated collective of biased individuals. Social media is presented as free individuals with independent voices sharing thoughts of their own accord, so manipulating which voices are heard distorts the public consciousness. Even though the TikTok community is composed of freely thinking users, executives have the power to control the narrative. Speaking through their users masks their agenda. We might be the ones writing the words, but they are the ones forming the sentences.
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LIFESTYLES MAKING THE DECISION: OFF-CAMPUS VERSUS ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
Ella Winterling | lifestyles writer
Find the perfect place to live by weighing the pros and cons of on and off campus.
Deciding on where to live as a young adult can be a difficult decision. There are 47 on-campus residence halls and almost endless off-campus rentals from apartments to houses. With so many options, weighing all of the pros and cons can seem overwhelming.
While both off-campus and on-campus housing are great options, they differ in several key areas, from cost to lifestyle to living conditions. Researching the different advantages and disadvantages and hearing some student perspectives can be a great place to start.
Cost
One of the biggest differences between off-campus and on-campus housing is the cost. On-campus housing can range from $3,000 to $6,000 per semester depending on the dorm. There are also additional fees and a dining plan requirement to take into account as well. On-campus residents are automatically required to purchase the Major Flex plan for $2,796.50 per semester which is worth 1,012 flex dollars. Other plans are available in a greater price tier.
“For me it was more of a financial decision,” said Nina Cancro, a sophomore majoring in international studies, currently living off-campus. “It was going to be a lot cheaper to live off-campus.”
Off-campus housing has a broader price range. Depending on the type of housing, amenities and number of roommates, off-campus housing can range anywhere from around $500 to over $1000 per month. Additional costs to take into account include utilities, furnishing and food purchased outside of a Virginia Tech dining plan.
For example, the Hub is an off-campus housing option in a higher price tier. A fourbedroom furnished apartment starts at $1,145 per person without utilities. Some amenities include common spaces and a pool.
Another option on a lower price scale is Pheasant Run, a townhouse complex. The housing is individually owned, so while prices vary, four-bedroom townhomes in this complex typically range from$600 to $700 per person.A middle-of-the-road option is Alight Blacksburg, a furnished apartment complex with common spaces, athletic courts and a pool. The rent for a four-bedroom floor plan is $815 per person.
Food
Choosing between off-campus housing and on-campus housing largely depends on your personal preference. Food is one example of an aspect of lifestyle that changes based on housing.
If you prefer cooking and the freedom to choose ingredients and recipes, off-campus housing may be a better choice for you. It allows the space and freedom to cook without the obstacles that may come with a dorm kitchen. It may also be easier to access grocery stores like Kroger and Food Lion.
“I love being able to cook for myself,” Cancro said. “I meal prep every week and I never really eat out, so (having a kitchen) is definitely a big pro for me.”
On the other hand, if you are not a fan of cooking, staying on-campus close to the dining halls may be a better option. Virginia Tech has eight dining halls and was named the third best
college food in the country by Niche.
“I’m actually a big D2 fan,” said Isla Carlson, a sophomore double-majoring in physics and electrical engineering living on-campus. “I don’t really like cooking, so it’s nice to be close to food.”
Lifestyle
Living off-campus versus on-campus are distinctly different in the lifestyle they provide as well. Off-campus housing provides some separation and independence from campus, along with more choice in the type of housing you live in. However, because of this separation, transportation to and from campus can be an obstacle.
Blacksburg Transit is the local bus system. It is a common way to get to and from campus and has a free app that allows students to navigate the routes.Other students may walk or drive to campus if they are able to get a parking pass.
“I live off-campus and I do not have a parking pass, so the bus system is definitely a con,” Cancro said. “It really stinks when you have a class you have to get to.”
“Everything is (on-campus),” Carlson said. “It’s just the most convenient and easy to manage.”
Living on-campus provides proximity to food, class and even downtown Blacksburg. If you prefer the pedestrian lifestyle, living on-campus may be the choice for you.
Living Conditions
Potentially having your own bedroom and bathroom is a big motivator to live off-campus. Instead of sharing a room and bathroom, there
is more personal space availability off-campus. There also is the autonomy of choosing your roommates, how many you have and how you want to share the living space.
“I love coming home to (my roommates) every day,” Cancro said. “They are some of my best friends”.
On-campus housing includes more communal rooms like lounges and the kitchen, but typically smaller living spaces. However, if you like the support of having some structure and being surrounded by students and on-campus resources, dorm housing may be a better option.
“It’s a really good way to get introduced and feel comfortable with living on your own,” Carlson said.
When deciding where to live, take into account the various options, but do not put too much pressure on following the crowd.
“I’d just say to look for places that suit your needs,” Cancro said. “Look at all of your options because you don’t really know what sort of deal you’re getting into until you’ve seen it in person and have had a chance to compare.”
“I think living off-campus is definitely great,” Carlson said. “But if you’re even a little bit unsure or maybe not ready yet, I would say it’s not a big deal to wait a year (to live off-campus).”
Regardless of the decision you make, Blacksburg and Virginia Tech offer a range of housing options depending on your price range and lifestyle preferences. Deciding where to live as a young adult can be challenging, so do what is best for you.
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BEGINNER MEALS TO MAKE AS A STUDENT
MOVING INTO AN APARTMENT
Cat Pizzarello | lifestyles staff writer
While cooking might seem intimidating, these quick and customizable recipes make it easy.
Moving off campus and into an apartment comes with many perks, including gaining a kitchen. For many students, cooking might seem like a daunting task. In reality, it doesn’t take much skill to make a delicious meal.
Although frequently skipped, breakfast has been shown to help with brain function throughout the day. There are many easyto-make recipes that are easy for a quick brain
boost to set a student up for success in their school day.
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Avocado toast is a breakfast that can be customized with healthy fats and proteins, such as eggs and bacon, and can be a simple addition for a completely fulfilling meal. For another savory option, breakfast quesadillas can be whipped up in a flash and only take a few simple ingredients for a delicious outcome.
Yogurt parfaits, along with overnight oats, are two options that can be made the night before for students who have trouble getting up on time. Mixing up the toppings on the parfait and changing the flavors of the overnight oats can keep these dishes from getting boring.
A big breakfast isn’t for everyone, so making a batch of muffins or oat energy balls can be an easy grab-and-go option. These options aren’t huge volume but are still filling enough to hold a student over until lunch.
Lunch
Many students’ lunches will be spent on campus, and although the dining halls on campus offer an array of options, packing a homemade lunch can be nice once in a while. Sandwiches are always a great start, but lunch wraps can be a nice change of pace. Salads come in all forms, but pasta salads are simple to make and differ from the typical romaine and mixed green base. Beyond pasta, chicken and tuna salads provide a great source of protein, and are perfect on their own, with crackers or on a sandwich.
For a smorgasbord, these adult lunchable combos provide a variety of different flavors and foods that can help a student hit all their nutrition goals.
Snacks
After lunch, a snack can be beneficial in holding a student over until dinnertime. Trail mix can be made with basically anything, but begins with a base of nuts, dried fruit, and granola. It can be tailored to
anyone’s specific likes and dislikes, however. According to Inside Higher Ed, 63% of college students aren’t getting enough fruit and vegetables in their diet. Swapping the chips for homemade kale chips can be an easy way to get some extra vegetables in. Yogurt covered fruits, such as blueberries and raspberries, are a delicious way to eat fruit and also get some added protein and dairy from the yogurt.
Dinner
After a long day of studying and classes, it’s time to refuel with a balanced dinner. Pasta is an easy starting point with options for so many shapes, sauces and additions for protein. Sheet pan dinners are also a quick and easy way to get in all your food groups.
For a take-out feel, fried rice is one of the easiest recipes to make authentically. Stir fry is another customizable option that allows for playing around with flavors and different food combinations.
SPORTS
For a cozy night in, chili is always a comforting dish that can be made in one simple pot and can be paired with a grilled cheese sandwich or quesadilla.
Dessert
Dessert had to be included in this list of yummy recipes, of course. Mug cakes are an easy singleserving dessert for that baked goods fix. Baked apples are another option to take care of that sweet tooth and get some daily fruits in.
A famous recipe on TikTok, these chocolate strawberry yogurt clusters are a twist on a typical chocolate-covered strawberry that has a little added protein from the yogurt.
Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore. It’s all about experimenting and trying new things. Don’t be afraid of the kitchen and try making some favorites when moving out of your dorm.
LAWAL’S EFFORTS AREN’T ENOUGH TO BOOST HOKIES MEN’S BASKETBALL PAST VIRGINIA
Sam Mostow | sports editor
Tech’s forward scored 23 points on Saturday.
With a chance to raise its record to .500 in conference play, Virginia Tech men’s basketball fell to Virginia, 73-70, failing to abdicate its losing record.
The Hokies (11-14, 6-8 ACC) continuously gnawed back at their in-state rivals, but their efforts were never enough. They built a 7-3 run early in the first half to grab a two-point lead, then a 12-1 run later in the period to cut a 14-point deficit to four points.
The same thing happened in the second half, when Tech gained some control but never enough to put it over the top. It continuously cut Virginia’s lead to within one score in the final four minutes, but the Cavaliers kept getting stops.
With 10 seconds left down three, Tyler Johnson grabbed a rebound, then passed to Ben Hammond who found Ben Burnham in the left wing with three seconds left. Burnham had an open look from behind the arc to tie the game, but his shot hit the rim.
“I thought we could get something at
the rim and get fouled,” said Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young. “It was not a bad situation. He just missed a shot.”
Tech forward Tobi Lawal made his best effort to keep his team in the game. He scored 19 points in the first half, draining two crucial threes and grabbing five rebounds. At that time, no Hokies player other than Lawal had scored more than three points.
For the first half, Lawal almost singlehandedly prevented a blowout. The Cavaliers (13-12, 6-8 ACC) led by as many as 15 in the first half, and Lawal pushed his team back to cut the deficit to seven at halftime. Lawal shot 6-for-9 from the field in the half, while the rest of the team combined to go 5-for-17.
“I was just trying to be aggressive, and my teammates were giving me the ball in the right places,” Lawal said.
The Cavaliers, however, limited Lawal in the second half to just four points. He still finished with a game-high 23, but Virginia’s defense prevented him from contributing
offensively to Tech’s comeback attempt.
“He was the focus,” said Virginia head coach Ron Sanchez. “He had 19 at halftime, so we knew that we needed to do something different with him, just to make it a little harder for him and communicate better, to make sure that the right people were guarding him.”
Hammond and Johnson — both true freshmen — scored Virginia Tech’s last 12 points, going from the 4:12 mark to the end of the game. Hammond finished with 11 points and Johnson totaled nine.
“They’ve played a lot of ball now,” Young said. “They’re remarkable people and good basketball players. They’re not playing like freshmen any longer.”
The Cavaliers were effective at getting to the free throw line in the second half, shooting 13-for-14 from the charity stripe. Both teams started with two fouls in the second half after a minor scuffle in the tunnel at halftime, lowering the threshold for every foul to guarantee free throws. In a three-point game, those free throws made
the difference.
“UVa always plays really hard,” Young said. “They’re playing like UVa right now. They’re playing with physicality. Their screens are violent, their cuts are hard and sharp, and they’re doing a really really good job with it.”
With six games left in the regular season, Virginia Tech sits in a four-way tie for eighth place. Three of those games are against teams below the Hokies in the conference standings.
One of the teams below the Hokies is Boston College, who they will play in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
HOKIES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STUMBLES LATE IN TIGHT LOSS TO NO. 12 NORTH CAROLINA
It was a close game, but close isn’t enough to win basketball games — especially against a top 15 opponent. For the Hokies, this one slipped out of reach right at the 11th hour.
Virginia Tech women’s basketball stumbled down the stretch Thursday, losing to No. 12 North Carolina, 67-62. The Tar Heels (22-4, 10-3 ACC) eked ahead of the Hokies to win for the first time since 2022.
Carolina narrowly pulled ahead despite their lackluster shooting after an efficient first quarter — the Tar Heels shot 10-of-17 in the first frame and 15-of-41 the rest of the way.
This was because the Hokies (16-9, 7-7 ACC) went ice-cold when it mattered most. Tech’s offense stalled in the final period — it was 3-of-9 in the fourth quarter, made just one of its seven tries in the final eight minutes and failed to score for the final 2:51. A slim 58-54 lead slipped away and four minutes later, UNC seized the advantage with a layup from guard Grace Townsend.
It makes sense why Tech would struggle offensively: going into the game, North Carolina
Thomas Hughes | sports staff writer
Carys Baker scored 17 points in the loss.
was first in the ACC in opponent points per game (55.1), first in opponent field goal percentage (35%) and third in turnover margin (+5.4).
They did a solid job limiting two of Tech’s most potent weapons: guard Carleigh Wenzel and forward Rose Micheaux. Wenzel was limited to 2-for-11 against the Tar Heels, including 0-for-5 in the first quarter. Micheaux, back after a two-game absence, shot just 2-of-8 for four points.
Tech was better than Carolina from the floor and the charity stripe — yet still came up short. UNC simply took and made a couple more shots from the field and from the line.
Where Tech really struggled was in the paint and in rebounding. The Tar Heels outscored the Hokies 28-18 in the paint and outmatched them by an astonishing 13-3 margin in second chance points. UNC guard Alyssa Ustby dominated the glass with 16 rebounds — double that of any Hokie.
Tech had a chance when forward Carys Baker hit a jumper to knot it at 62 with 2:51 on the clock. But after a UNC free throw, Tar Heels guard Lexi
Donarski darted into the paint for a layup to make it a three-point game. Baker got a final look from distance, but it was off, forcing Tech to foul and clinching a close game for North Carolina.
But at the start of the game, it didn’t look close at all. North Carolina leapt out to a nine-point lead at the end of the first frame and limited Wenzel to 0-for-5 shooting. With the lead rocketing up to as high as 11, it looked like a game far from what the upset Hokies fans were hoping for.
But Tech slowly started to work their way back. After not taking a shot for the first quarter, Baker made two of her three attempts in the second. But the third quarter is where she came out guns ablaze. The forward made each of her three shots — all from downtown — and she was the key reason Tech clawed back into the game, trailing by just one into the final quarter.
Baker, who scored a team-high 17 points, has come on as of late and led the Hokies in scoring for the third game in a row. She also was the team’s rebound leader for the fifth consecutive time.
Even if Virginia Tech doesn’t make the NCAA
Tournament, this has been a successful season. It’s been an improvement on preseason expectations and multiple players — like Baker, guard Mackenzie Nelson and forward Kayl Petersen — have improved markedly this year. With continued development, the foundation is in place for Tech to be an even more dangerous team next season.
If it does make it into the 68-team field, it’s at the other teams’ peril to write them off. Before the tip-off, Dean Linke, North Carolina’s sports broadcaster, referred to the Hokies as a team that’s “always pesky.”
That sums up this team perfectly: it may not be the strongest team Tech’s put out in the past couple years, but it’s one that’ll fight until the final buzzer.
Virginia Tech comes back home for a pair of Blacksburg bouts against new ACC teams — Stanford’s first on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m., then it’s Cal on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.
VIRGINIA TECH BASEBALL PREPARES FOR 2025 SEASON
Stephen Arthur | sports staff writer
The Hokies started their season last weekend against Bucknell.
The Virginia Tech baseball team kicked off its 2025 regular season with a home series against Bucknell. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Hokies, who set their sights on the College World Series in Omaha in June.
Last season, Virginia Tech lost their last five games, including an 11-8 loss to No. 17 Duke and a 19-9 loss to No. 12 NC State in the ACC Tournament. The Hokies finished their season with a 32-22 overall record, and went 14-16 in conference.
During the offseason, the Hokies had some talent move on to professional baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies selected Carson DeMartini, who recorded 21 home runs last season, in the seventh round. Wyatt Parliament, who tallied 59 strikeouts the previous season, went to the New York Yankees in the eighth round. Major league teams selected five Hokies players in the 20-round draft.
With that being said, the team has some fresh faces hoping to stamp their name in Virginia
Tech history, as well as some returning talent to play a big leadership role for the Hokies.
Catcher Henry Cooke, infielder Clay Grady and pitcher Brett Renfrow are stepping up to the plate to be a positive influence on the younger guys on the team.
Virginia Tech also picked talent out of the transfer portal. Head coach John Szefc and the team picked up Jackson Cherry, an outfielder from Mercer, JUCO transfer Jared Davis, Cam Pittman from Radford, Treyson Hughes from Ole Miss and Mathieu Curtis from USC Upstate.
One returner for the Hokies discussed the leadership role further in-depth: junior infielder Garrett Michel. Michel was only limited to nine games last season due to a wrist injury, but said he hopes to bounce back in 2025.
“Yeah, I just hope to be a leader on the field and just kind of lead by example,” Michel said. “We’re going to have a lot of younger guys in there and just hopefully make everybody feel
comfortable on the field and playing at their best, playing loose. I think when we do that, we’ll have the results to show for it.”
In his shortened season, the Denver, North Carolina, native hit .400 while recording 12 RBI and four home runs. Michel has a lot of hope in the Hokies and said that the team will “shock a lot of people this year.”
Szefc said this iteration of his team has more speed than his previous counterparts.
“I definitely think we have probably more team speed than we’ve had in the past,” Szefc said. “As far as utilizing it, you have to be in a situation where you’re going to utilize it in games, like, the game (has) got to dictate it.”
Szefc also praised his team’s resilience.
“I think what separates us is going to be our guys being able to hang in there throughout the course of an ACC game and having a fair amount of mental toughness and thick skin,” he said. “But I’d like to think that our guys (believe) it’s not going to matter whether they’re up three
(or) down three. I don’t think they’re going to play any differently.”
Virginia Tech will have to play in a tough ACC this year. The conference has seven teams in the D1 Baseball preseason top 25, including Duke, Virginia, Florida State, North Carolina, Wake Forest, NC State and Clemson. Virginia Tech will have to play four of those ranked teams.
“We’ll navigate with having good players and having guys who are willing to play,” Szefc said. “Our league is as good as it’s ever been. It just continues to get better and better. It’s not like the skill level in this league is ever going to surprise you.”
With the team consistently growing from the hardships of last year, Virginia Tech has a lot to look forward to in this upcoming season. The Hokies and their fans are anticipating a positive return to form.
