collegiatetimes.com
February 6, 2024
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NEWS
VIRGINIA TECH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ACCEPTS OUTSTANDING FACULTY AWARD Ayisha Surani | news writer
Timothy Jarome teaches in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia awarded Timothy Jarome, a professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, an Outstanding Faculty Award, according to Virginia Tech News. Jarome won the award for his teaching achievements as an associate professor in the Animal and Poultry Sciences Department. Prior to this award, he had obtained four other awards, including from the National Institute of Health, the American Psychological Foundation and more. Jarome said that this award was different from any of the others he received. “Because of this coming at the state level this is really kind of a … major recognition of the work that my lab has done and the effort
that I’ve put into research, teaching and service in my time as faculty,” Jarome said. Jarome has been a professor at Virginia Tech for six years. Jarome found out about the award two weeks before the university had received the message. When he first received the phone call, he did not answer because he did not recognize the number. Finally, he called the number back. “I almost didn’t know what to say,” Jarome recalled after he found out he had received the award. Jarome said that it was one of the best moments in his career. The award was for Jarome’s work with both his teaching and understanding the molecular mechanisms around fear memory regarding PTSD and age-related memory
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loss like Alzheimer’s disease. His passion for research stemmed during his undergraduate studies. Jarome started out as a psychology major, which led him to his interest in abnormal psychology. When he finally had an opportunity to do research, he realized that there was a chance to address unanswered questions about the disease for a possible cure. On top of his work in research, he talked about his work in teaching and his enjoyment of it. “I like teaching, I like mentorship,” Jarome said. “And those aspects kind of come into both my teaching responsibilities and my role as a mentor to graduate students and even undergraduate students.” Jarome discussed many students that he watched throughout the years at Virginia Tech and reminisced on his first graduate student. “My first graduate student, Taylor, was amazing, and helped me get the lab set up and also come up with these really cool ideas,” Jarome said. “She was very passionate about promoting diversity,
equity and inclusion and she really led a lot of initiatives on campus with that as well.” Currently, Jarome has 30 undergraduate and nine graduate students in his lab. According to Jarome, his advice for other professors is that not “one size fits all.” However, he suggested that professors take into consideration that students do not come in with the same educational backgrounds. “One of the classes I teach is a good example because those coming into it are coming from many different degree programs, and have different prior classes that may have set them better for this class,” Jarome said. “And so I try to make the class as accessible as possible.” In his lab, Jarome is currently focused on elucidating cellular and molecular mechanisms of forming and storing memories, especially how stress or trauma alter the brain chemistry.
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February 6, 2024 PAGE 3
OPINIONS collegiatetimes.com
PODCASTS ARE THE BEST WAY TO CONSUME MEDIA Emily Dorsey | opinions contributor
Accessibility and honest dialogue make podcasts the ideal way to consume media.
P
odcasts are more popular and accessible than ever before. All-consuming media has only been around for 20 years and it’s constantly growing and evolving. Platforms like Vine, Facebook and MySpace started the craze of social media, but now Instagram and TikTok are the front runners. However, over the past few years, I have noticed podcasts making their way onto my YouTube, Spotify and even Instagram feed. While short-form videos are still ever-present, long-form content, such as podcasts, are making a bigger appearance in mainstream media than ever before. Evan Hughes, assistant director of broadcast services at Virginia Tech and host of the “Hokie Sports Insider” podcast, provides insight into the podcasting world, how it is unique and why it is not going away anytime soon. “It is such an important avenue of media today,” Hughes said. A podcast can be consumed two ways: visually or audibly. Audio podcasts are more well known and have been around longer. It is what people first think of when they hear the word “podcast.” Video podcasts are another option for consumers. They provide the same audio that a standard podcast would, but there is also a visual aspect that connects the viewer more to the hosts and guests. Visual podcasts use cameras to capture individuals on the podcast set while podcast microphones and equipment record the audio. The podcasts that first come to mind are “Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain,” “The Colin and Samir Show” and “Cancelled.” These podcasts publish both visual and auditory versions of their podcasts. There are different categories into which podcasts can fall like self-help, true crime/investigative, religious, sports, etc. Subjectively, while these may not be the most informative or beneficial, they are well known because of their humor and
easygoing dialogue. Dominant media often tells us what is or isn’t funny, emotional, disgusting or thought-provoking. Long-style YouTube videos can be easily compared to visual podcasts but YouTube content constantly tries to grab the attention of viewers and hold it. While podcasts are intertwined into people’s daily lives, the way information is fed to consumers is less harmful and more enjoyable. What makes any podcast great is the storytelling aspect, attention to audio and visual detail, providing genuine conversation, and allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions. According to the National Library of Medicine, “Listening to more podcasts and socially engaging with podcasts are associated with greater presence of meaning and forming parasocial relationships with hosts is associated with a greater sense of relatedness.” Choosing podcasts over other forms of media is that they provide another level of intimacy. Many podcasts are geared towards having real and genuine conversations — something I don’t see much of on other media programs. “Anything Goes” and “Colin & Samir” podcasts thrive on bringing meaningful questions to the forefront of their dialogues while keeping them interesting and lighthearted. With visual podcasts, the viewer and hosts are able to establish more of a connection that lasts one to two hours through their body language, visual stimulation/graphics and openness toward the camera. Like “The Broski Report,” “Cancelled” or “Impaulsive” they connect more with the viewers by making it feel like you are in the room. With constant laughter, topics many people can relate to and truly keeping it real, all of these podcasts make the audience come back for more. Another benefit is that listening to podcasts is something you can do on-the-go. Like music, listening to
podcasts doesn’t have your eyes glued to a screen, your hands are free to do chores or activities; it provides stimulation, but not in an overwhelming way. Personally, I like to listen to podcasts when I’m taking a break from homework, doing mindless chores or wanting to connect with the online world. Listening to podcasts allows me to do all of these things without being bombarded with numerous advertisements or getting so distracted I lose track of time. Scrolling through TikTok or Instagram can be done while multitasking but with difficulty. It makes us less aware of our surroundings, prevents us from retaining content effectively and disconnects us from reality. Many of us, including myself at one point, waste a lot of time being addicted to something we can live without. According to The Varsity, “It’s important to take control of our social media usage and make a conscious choice on how we want to attend to it.” Being intentional and aware of our unnatural habits is the first step of understanding media intake control. “Ultimately, we are all storytellers and podcasts are another form of storytelling,” Hughes said. Podcasters are able to build a world through dialogue and bring something new to the table without making it addicting. Podcasts allow consumers to enjoy media without having it be all-consuming. Instant gratification has cast a shadow on many things in today’s society. Learning how to slow down and enjoy media without as many negative effects is a great way to improve this unnatural habit. Turning to podcasts, whether audibly or visually, is a good tool to still enjoy media and what it has to offer while keeping a safe distance from the harmfulness it may bring. The media you consume doesn’t have to solely be from podcasts. That is a bit unrealistic. But, podcasts are some of the best and most positive ways to enjoy what’s
offered in the online world. “Podcasting is the way of the future. Especially with it being on Spotify and Apple Podcasts; that is where people listen to music. It is there and it is convenient. It is only going to continue to grow in its existence over the next decades and decades to come,” Hughes said. Next time you catch yourself going on Instagram or TikTok out of habit, consider listening or viewing a podcast instead to enjoy long-form media content, genuine dialogue and a platform that thrives on supportive communities. It is important to be mindful of the media we take in, how we are consuming it and checking out a podcast every once in a while.
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LIFESTYLES collegiatetimes.com
“LOLA”: A GOTH BABE ALBUM REVIEW Emelia Delaporte | lifestyles editor
Lifestyles editor Emy Delaporte discusses musician-activist Goth Babe’s debut album. Until Jan. 26, 2024, Griff Washburn had “Insides” are all love songs, albeit not yet to put out an album as his Goth Babe always under the best of circumstances. project. With dozens of songs and over “Backwards,” a collaboration with WATTS, thirty releases dating back to 2015, the lack is a breakup conversation. “Insides,” which of a formal album might come as a shock follows the instrumental halfway point to light-listening fans. The time, however, “Orcas,” can come across as commitment has finally come. After nine years of EPs, singles and compilations, Washburn has released “Lola.” This debut album features 11 tracks, three of which were featured on various singles in 2023 — “Backwards,” “Bioluminescence” and “Alone in the Mountains.” It also includes eight new adventures into the electronic indie world that the Tennessean artist just keeps calling us back into. The album begins with birdsong in “Neon Trees,” which fits perfectly into the classic Goth Babe sound that he’s stayed with since 2018’s “Point Mugu” EP. This soft and synth-y intro track pulls you gently into the album with the repeated line “I don’t want to fake time in the way you are.” That’s it — no other words in a minute and 43 seconds. The simplicity demands that you keep listening to the album to see if he has anything else to say. That temptation delivers. The subsequent track “Crocodile” consists of not one repeated line but three repeated stanzas, transitioning from slow and sweet to upbeat and desperate for love. This cut is my personal favorite on the album. Washburn often lives on his small boat Lola, for which the album is titled, and “Crocodile” begs the question — where is the person to whom he says, “I want you to want me?” The dynamism between “Crocodile” Photo Courtesy of Spotify and “Neon Trees” alone is a perfect showcase to first-time listeners of what issues or relational burnout, depending on they’ll get with Goth Babe. The third track, how you look at it. This placement reads “Sadie,” is a little more whimsical but just like a pause; should we break up? Let’s take as heartfelt, if not more. Told partially a breather — now I’m not so sure. from the perspective of his dog (the song’s If the re-released track namesake) and then from his perspective “Bioluminescence” is any indicator, the in the third person, it’s a testament to the theoretical love was not lost. “I want to wait bond between person and canine partner. for / Wanting a dream world,” Washburn “Backwards,” “Sun Comes Up” and sings. However, “Spinnaker Days” in slot
nine brings the relationship right back into question with the line “I hate to say it, but I want my time today.” The album moves away from this emotional back-and-forth with “Alone in the Mountains,” which was previously released in 2023 on the singles
is displayed both in lyrical content and personal activism; he’s partnered before with Protect Our Winters, Project Zero, Conser vation Lands Foundation and Arcteryx as an environmental ambassador. Before living on his mostly off-the-grid sailboat, Lola, he lived in a tiny house in Washington, showing his commitment to a small footprint. The album resolves with new track “Baja.” Almost as simplistic as “Neon Trees” with a hint of “Ginger”-era BROCKHAMPTON, the repetitive line “So we go ‘round” sounds like a call to press replay. The romantic motif moves back in for a couple of stanzas and could just as easily be to the audience as a lover. “All I wanna do is show you that I care / All I wanna do is love,” sings Washburn vaguely. That stanza repeats once more at the end of the track, accompanied only by acoustic guitar and vocals that seem as if to come from underwater. The album closes out with the words “and that’s a wrap.” Happily inhabiting the space between Lo-fi, pop and electronica, Goth Babe’s debut album shows the progress made between 2015’s grungy “Wasted Time / Sunshine” EP and now. Hopefully, Lola keeps on floating, and we’ll see another album before too long. I give “Lola” a 7/10.
Lola by Griff Washburn album cover
“ Backwards,” “ Bioluminescence” and “Alone in the Mountains.” “Alone in the Mountains” doesn’t fit so well into this fourth release, at least in terms of lyrical content. That aside, this track is a great addition to any Goth Babe release — it gives some necessary context to his history as a musician and where he loves to be best. His love for those mountains
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MAKING A CONNECTION WITH THE CONNECTION PROJECT
February 6, 2024 PAGE 5
Aidan Mason | Lifestyles staff writer
Students interested in mental health support can check out Hokie Wellness’ TCP and FEELS programs.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOKIE WELLNESS FEELS Support Circle
For many college students, especially first-years, a new environment can be overwhelming. College is very different from high school- it can be taxing with higher workloads and a greater sense of responsibility. That’s not to mention the brand-new environment with thousands of new people to meet and dozens of new places to hang out. That’s where FEELS, which stands for “Facilitating Effective Emotional Learning & Support,” comes in. Described as a mental support group network, the program boasts the fact that it’s led by undergraduate and graduate students and run by its own patrons. Recently, the FEELS program made a new step forward with TCP, formally known as The Connection Project. Comprising 6 to 10 students on average, the program seeks to forge connections with activities and discussions on topics such as togetherness and divisiveness. One of these students is Gracie Maslyn, who recently joined TCP and has begun to help build the program together. What is TCP? “The main objective of The Connection
Project is to bring together small groups of VT students to get to know one another beneath the surface level,” Maslyn said. It’s not just the participating students who get value out of it. As Maslyn notes, during training, she started to change the way she thought about relationships and developed skills for said relationships in the future. Maslyn wants to emphasize connections in particular. “Some parts of TCP that have great value for anyone involved are the conversations about conflict, trust and struggle,” Maslyn said. The reason is simple; Maslyn points out that these topics are often “things that all students deal with and have in common,” but in regards to average conversation, are often ignored. TCP and the FEELS program hope to change that. For those seeking a more concrete example, Maslyn provides the FEELS Peer Support Group. “In FEELS, anyone is welcome weekto-week and there isn’t a set discussion or activity for the group,” Maslyn said. “Students
can come to FEELS groups and talk about anything they have on their mind, or they don’t have to talk at all, whatever is comfortable for the student is respected.” How did Maslyn find TCP? Becoming a TCP facilitator takes effort and dedication. Maslyn found out about the program, ironically enough, in class, which can be a major stressor for students. “During my sophomore year, a few of the Mental Health Initiative staff members came to my class to talk about the FEELS support group,” Maslyn said. “I applied to become a facilitator and got accepted to participate in the training this past fall.” After getting accepted, she found out she was going to be part of more than just FEELS. Along with the training she was currently getting, she would also be trained as a facilitator for the TCP program. For Maslyn, joining was a no-brainer. “I was inspired to become a part of TCP because of my future goal of working in the mental health industry and how my mental health has been affected in the past,” Maslyn said.
Challenges and tribulations New organizations often face administrative and developmental challenges in their early days. However, for TCP, that hasn’t been a problem. “There hasn’t been too much difficulty with getting TCP into fruition,” Maslyn said. “The biggest challenge is just getting the word out there to students.” There are opportunities for anyone wishing to join FEELS or TCP. “TCP groups are about to start for the semester so there isn’t much time left to join,” Maslyn said, “but information to train to become a facilitator and sign-ups for next year’s groups will come out as the semester progresses.” For all those interested, check out the official website at https://hokiewellness. vt.edu/students/outreach/Peer_Educators/ feels-facilitators.html.
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PAGE 6 February 6, 2024
HOKIES MEN’S BASKETBALL STUMBLES LATE AGAINST MIAMI Brennan Weiss | Sports staff writer
Tech led by 10 with less than 12 minutes remaining.
HAMAD ALHENDI / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokies guard Sean Pedulla (3) and forward Mylyjael Poteat (34) upset after their lost to the Duke Blue Devils 67-77, Jan. 29, 2024.
Virginia Tech men’s basketball fell short, 82–74, on the road against Miami on Saturday, fading away in the final minutes of a game defined by defensive woes. Both teams came into the game at 5–5 in conference play, and both teams knew it was a must-win for their NCAA Tournament hopes. Unfortunately for the Hokies (13–9, 5–6 ACC), short of a recreation of their magical 2022 ACC Tournament run, those may have been dashed. Neither team started strong, with a backand-forth first five minutes full of Miami turnovers and Virginia Tech misses. In those minutes, Miami freshman Kyshawn George limited Sean Pedulla, who scored 33 in Tech’s loss to the Hurricanes (15–7, 6–5 ACC) on Jan.13. His first three went wide left, the second off the side of the backboard and the third ripped out of his hands and into a Miami fast break. However, the best shooters kept shooting, and Pedulla saw his first three go in at the 13-minute mark. Virginia Tech found its way to the basket easily afterward, which, combined with a 2-for-17 shooting stretch from Miami, gave the Hokies a 35–26 lead going into
halftime. Miami forward Norchad Omier — who went into Saturday with four consecutive double-doubles — picked up his third foul early in the second half, which put backup guard Bensley Joseph in the limelight. Joseph was ready, drilling a three to cut the lead back down to seven early in the second half. He finished with 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting to lead the Miami bench. Forward Mylyjael Poteat made a contested turnaround jumper late in the shot clock to give the Hokies a double-digit lead once again. After, the team went cold and relied on its defense to keep Miami at bay. Guard Tyler Nickel finally ended the cold stretch with a midrange jumper to put the Hokies up eight, though the Hurricanes fought all the way back. The Hokies didn’t score another point for three minutes when a pair of free throws from Hunter Cattoor gave them a lead of one with six minutes to play. The difference between halves for Miami was turnovers. After struggling to control the ball in the first half, it only turned the ball over twice in the second half. This, combined with their balanced scoring — five Miami players
found themselves in double figures — allowed Miami to stick around. Virginia Tech let the Hurricanes stick a little too close, and two consecutive steal-to-dunk defensive plays put them back ahead in the final minutes. After drawing a foul on Nijel Pack, Pedulla had the chance to punch back at the free throw line, but the career 85% free throw shooter came up empty. Moments later, the excitement of drawing Omier’s fifth foul was quickly forgotten as Pedulla missed the front end of a one-and-one. His next trip was half-empty, capping off a 7-for-14 free throw shooting performance, which was uncharacteristic of the team whose season percentage ranks second in all of Division I men’s basketball. On a day chock-full of primetime college basketball matchups, this game may have flown under the radar. Nevertheless, Cattoor and Pedulla combined to deliver 40 of the Hokies’ 74 points despite the free throw struggles. On the other hand, MJ Collins — who led the Hokies in scoring against Duke last Monday — could not find his rhythm, finishing 0-for-5 from the floor with zero points. Despite a quiet game from Wooga Poplar
— the runaway favorite for this year’s ACC Most Improved Player award — Miami had no difficulty exceeding its 80.8 points per game mark which is good for third-most in the ACC. Jim Larrañaga, the second-oldest coach in the league, held the same calm arms-crossed pose when his team was down eight as he did when they went up eight. While his team hasn’t matched the preseason expectations that their 2023 Final Four trip set, he was happy to have pulled off the comeback win. “The players really rose to the occasion,” Larrañaga said. “They fought like crazy.” Next up, Miami heads to Charlottesville on Monday to take on a Virginia team that escaped Clemson with a one-point win on Saturday. Next Saturday, Virginia Tech challenges a young Notre Dame team led by point guard Markus Burton, who owns the Notre Dame record for points in a game by a freshman with 29.
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February 6, 2024 PAGE 7
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MANAGES OVERTIME WIN IN MESSY BOUT VS. NO. 24 UNC Dylan Tefft | sports staff writer
The Hokies pulled ahead of the Tar Heels in overtime. Georgia Amoore scored 21 points and dished out 11 assists to help push No. 17 Virginia Tech women’s basketball over No. 24 North Carolina in a 70–61 win. Amoore’s sixth double-double of the season came at a significant time, helping the Hokies win their second straight game against ranked opponents. Despite a 29% performance from the field, the Australian-born senior showed why the ACC named her its most recent player of the week with her impact in every other facet of the game. Center Elizabeth Kitley contributed 15 points but saw efficiency struggles of her own, shooting 33% and missing her fifth attempted three of the year. Kitley — Tech’s top scorer this season — kicked off all scoring with a quick layup and then a jumper to give the Hokies an early 4–0 lead. This was a lead that the Tar Heels (15–8, 7–4) ACC would trade back
and forth with the Hokies (18–4, 9–2 ACC) throughout the afternoon. Amoore and Kitely were not the only players who struggled to put the ball in the basket at an efficient clip. The Tar Heels’ leading scorer, Deja Kelly, shot just 25% from the field. Kelly — a two-time All-ACC senior — still managed a 26-point performance, largely due to seven drawn fouls. Kelly took advantage of these fouls, shooting 13-for-14 from the charity stripe. Carolina shot just 32% from the field, with Virginia Tech did not shoot much better at 34%. Tech sharpshooter Matilda Ekh had a productive outing, going 4-for-9 from three with many of those coming in clutch moments. One of Ekh’s threes ended a Virginia Tech scoring drought of over four minutes late in the third quarter. Ekh has scored beyond the arc in all but
three of the Hokies’ games this season. Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks entered the game with a simple yet defined defensive game plan: allow the Tar Heels to shoot. His strategy was effective in the first half but faltered in the second, allowing his opponent to claw back. The Tar Heels shot just 1-for-6 from three during the first two quarters but improved to 4-for-7 in the last two. Extra time was required to conclude this game, but the Hokies would not let the Tar Heels finish the upset. An Ekh three during the first possession of overtime sparked the Hokies’ offense, awarding them a lead that the Tar Heels would never be able to reach. The final dagger came in the form of back-to-back Amoore and Ekh threes, putting Carolina away. Virginia Tech shot a blazing hot 60% from behind the arc in overtime, while the Tar Heels were unable to drain any of their
own. Sunday’s game marked the Hokies’ sixth straight win, all coming against conference opponents. This streak is just what Brooks’s team hoped for, coming off a disappointing two-game slump in mid-January. As they look ahead to the upcoming ACC Tournament, Virginia Tech will fight to stay out of the losing column during the tail end of the regular season. The Hokies’ conquest will continue on Feb. 8 in Raleigh vs. NC State at 8 p.m.
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HAMAD ALHENDI / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokies center Elizabeth Kitley (33) goes for the layup unchallenged, Feb. 1, 2024.
PAGE 8 February 6, 2024
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KITLEY BREAKS ANOTHER ACC RECORD IN COMMONWEALTH CLASH VICTORY OVER UVA Ellen Muldowney | sports section writer
Elizabeth Kitley scored 33 points and Georgia Amoore added 20. No. 17 Virginia Tech women’s basketball took down unranked Virginia 76–63 in the Commonwealth Clash in front of a sold-out Cassell Coliseum on Thursday night. Both Hokies (17–4, 8–2 ACC) center Elizabeth Kitley and guard Georgia Amoore scored double-doubles in this historic showdown, with Kitley contributing a game-high 33 points and Amoore with 20. Combined with Matilda Ekh’s 13 points, nine of which from triples, the three players made up 87% of Tech’s scoring. “They’re a tandem duo,” said Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks. “They’re one of the best duos in the country. They’re two of the top 20 players in the country. We, as Hokies, get to see them every night so we’re very, very fortunate.” Midway through the second quarter, Kitley became the first player in ACC history with 2,500 career points and 1, 500 rebounds. Her newest accomplishment accompanied her many other
ACC accolades, including the 2022 and 2023 Player of the Year awards. Coming off a single-digit scoring performance against Syracuse, Kitley was not shy of finding her way back to her normal groove. “It didn’t really knock me off as far as confidence goes,” Kitley said. “Anytime I have a game like that, or if we have a tough game as a team, I’m just looking forward to the next one.” On top of double-digit scoring performances from the “tandem duo,” Amoore had 14 assists, and Kitley a total of 18 rebounds and three blocks. Both of them shut down the Cavaliers’ (10–11, 2–8 ACC) offense and ran them dry in the second half. Guards Kymora Johnson and Paris Clark held the Virginia offense down, while also leading their team in an explosive defensive performance in the beginning half of the game. Through a tight man-to-man defense, especially on Kitley
and Amoore, the Cavaliers were able to keep the Hokies to just a five-point margin at the end of the half. However, Tech increased its lead in the second half, holding the Cavaliers to just 36.8% from the field and allowing them only five points in the third quarter. “I think the first half for us was good,” said Virginia head coach Amaka AguguaHamilton. “But today, in the second half, we weren’t really clicking together. Our rotations weren’t there. Our scrambles weren’t there and (Virginia Tech was) able to get wide open shots. So, I think we really didn’t have that trust on the defensive end as much as we have been.” Hokies guard Olivia Summiel, guard Carleigh Wenzel and forward Carys Baker were also highlights for the Hokies. The trio filled the void of guard Cayla King, who found herself in some foul trouble early on in the game. Even though they didn’t contribute as much to the score, their
presence on the court was integral to the flow of Tech’s offense. “When you can add players like Ekh and Cayla King and what they’re able to provide, it just makes us a dangerous basketball team,” Brooks said. “Olivia just kind of goes out there and does the dirty work. She didn’t get as many opportunities to step up and knock down the shot, but on a given night she will and we have confidence in that.”
HAMAD ALHENDI / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokies guard Georgia Amoore (5) shoots the ball from the layup for a two point basket, Feb. 1, 2024.