From March 16 to March 17, Virginia Tech hosted Spring Open House weekend, according to the Virginia Tech admissions website. During this time, students and families — both prospective and admitted — are invited to enjoy information sessions, campus tours, the major’s fair and various activities organized by each college.
Kristy Morrill is the director of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences (CLAHS). She says the purpose of these large-scale events partly is to spark interest of high school students to apply to Virginia Tech and to solidify the decision of admitted students.
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Kristy Morrill says events are to spark interest in prospective students.
Yield is a metric used to describe the success of various recruitment techniques. When students are offered admission to Virginia Tech, the university wants them to accept their offer to know how many incoming students to expect in the fall semester. Once a prospective student’s application is accepted, the goal is to encourage the student to enroll.
Morrill is a Hokie alum of CLAHS. As such, she feels passionate about yielding and consistently advancing the student ambassador program. She believes ambassadors are vital to the success of recruiting events.
a student is in high school
applying to college, they want to talk to students and understand what the experience is going to be like — not what an adult is telling them to expect,” Morrill said. “A lot of the recruiting means much more to students because it comes from other students. Parents might also find it helpful to hear students be models and be successful because they can imagine their child doing that. All the colleges would suffer without the ambassadors.”
As a college, the goal is to yield students, but as people, the goal is to showcase and appreciate all that CLAHS possesses. For example, it’s easy to say that a student can pursue a degree in English, but it’s not as simple to translate that degree into a dream career opportunity. Morrill says that prospective students may or may not make that connection on their own and in the end, she and her student ambassador team recruit authentically because they enjoy doing it.
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According to Morrill, CLAHS is unique in comparison to other colleges because of the sheer number and variety of majors offered. From Residential Environments and Design to Sports Media and Analytics to Smart and Sustainable Cities — they’re all so different and difficult to put into neat categories. Yet, she believes that this is one of the greatest parts of the college.
“What sets us apart is that a liberal arts education can go into any field or industry,” Morrill said. “It truly doesn’t limit you to what you can do (to an extent).”
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“We want to show off our students and their accomplishments,” Morrill said. “We also want to show off our diverse faculty and their careers. I find our students inspiring and I love working with you all. I can show off Virginia Tech, but it really does take a village to make that impact on students hoping to come here.”
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The innovation and academic excellence occurring at Virginia Tech should rank it among Public Ivies.
The Collegiate Times holds its weekly opinions meetings to discuss new piece ideas or pitches. At the first meeting of the spring semester, writers and editors spoke on various topics, ranging from our amazing literary interests to the expectations for the spring semester. A new semester brought new academic obstacles, such as harder classes and more credits, so we started to talk about the challenges that other students across the state had in their academic paths. Other colleges aside from Virginia Tech have equally or more challenging obstacles, but would they truly be a means of ranking themselves above the home of the Hokies? That is when the opinions team started to examine the nationwide rankings of universities to see whether this was the case. It turns out that we’re on the podium statewide. Aside from being in the top 20 public universities nationwide, Virginia Tech is ranked second among Virginia universities.
A Public Ivy is a public institution that provides education on par with the education received in an Ivy League institutions. The discussion surrounding whether Virginia Tech should be considered a Public Ivy is multifaceted, encompassing numerous factors such as academic excellence, research output, institutional reputation and historical prestige. Virginia Tech has established itself as a prominent public research university with a strong focus on academic excellence. The university offers a wide range of rigorous academic programs across disciplines, attracting top-tier faculty members and high-achieving students. Notably, Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering consistently ranks among the nation’s top engineering schools, reflecting its commitment to academic quality and innovation.
An essential criterion for Public Ivy designation is a university’s research contributions and innovation. Virginia Tech excels in this regard, with a robust research enterprise spanning various disciplines. The university’s research initiatives address pressing societal challenges and contribute
to advancements in fields such as engineering, agriculture and health sciences. Virginia Tech’s investments in research infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with industry and government agencies underscore its commitment to advancing knowledge and driving innovation. These efforts enhance the university’s competitiveness on a national and global scale, positioning it as a hub for cutting-edge research and discovery.
Outside of research, Virginia Tech provides students with a vibrant and supportive campus environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, diverse extracurricular opportunities and a strong sense of community. The university’s commitment to holistic student development fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and leadership skills. Moreover, Virginia Tech’s alumni network offers valuable connections and resources for students and graduates alike, facilitating career opportunities, mentorship and lifelong learning. The university’s robust support services contribute to a positive student experience, enhancing retention rates and graduation outcomes. In addition to around 1,000 student organizations, Virginia Tech has new and innovative facilities such as the Data and Decision Sciences Hall that focus primarily on business, management, entrepreneurship and engineering perspectives.
While Virginia Tech has made significant strides in recent decades, some argue that it lacks the historical prestige and nationwide recognition associated with traditional Public Ivy institutions. Established Public Ivies such as the University of Michigan, the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Virginia have longstanding legacies and global reputations that set them apart. Critics may question Virginia Tech’s eligibility for Public Ivy status based on historical comparisons and perceived gaps in institutional recognition and resources. Such critics advocate for a thorough assessment of the university’s standing relative to established Public Ivies
and areas for improvement to meet the standards of excellence associated with this designation.
Virginia Tech’s pursuit of excellence is evident in the experiences and insights of individuals like Andres Gonzalez. Gonzalez, whose career spans investment banking to real estate management, acknowledges the university’s role in shaping successful individuals. Even though not a Virginia Tech alum, Gonzalez — who, after completing his undergraduate studies in Colombia and a master’s degree at the University of Virginia, now manages over $1 billion in properties — emphasizes the caliber of individuals that Virginia Tech attracts and develops.
“Virginia Tech is a fine institution, it’s an amazing institution,” Gonzalez said. “We hire from Virginia Tech, specifically from the property management program. Anyone who finds themselves in the ringer of finding an acceptance letter from Virginia Tech and moves on to graduate has what it takes to be successful.”
For a former student from a Public Ivy institution, his reflection on Virginia Tech’s academic rigor showcases the type of individuals that come out of this institution. It’s one thing for a student to have strong academic standing through grades, but it’s another thing entirely to come out of college and become successful in the real world.
Tim Sands, President of Virginia Tech, emphasizes how students at the university value success.
“You’re going to be more successful if you pick a couple of things that you’re gonna focus on and complete them step by step,” Sands said. “Don’t do everything at once. An amazing fraction of Virginia Tech students think that way ... I think a greater fraction of students have that perspective in part because we talk about (Ut Prosim) so much,” Sands said.
The input from Gonzalez and Sands highlights the university’s dedication to nurturing successful individuals. Virginia Tech’s emphasis on courage, action, focus and service aligns with its mission
of “Ut Prosim” (That I May Serve). As the university continues to inspire and empower its students, its reputation as a hub for excellence is further solidified. The debate surrounding Virginia Tech’s candidacy as a Public Ivy institution underscores the complexity of evaluating institutional excellence and prestige. While the university demonstrates strengths in areas such as academic programs, research endeavors and student engagement, challenges remain in terms of historical recognition and nationwide prominence. Ultimately, Virginia Tech’s journey toward Public Ivy status reflects the dynamic nature of academic achievement and the diverse perspectives shaping perceptions of institutional excellence. By leveraging its strengths, addressing its challenges and embracing opportunities for growth and innovation, Virginia Tech can continue to enhance its reputation and impact as a leading public research university.
Voting for a politician’s policies, over their personality, is crucial for maintaining affective governance.
When asked about his lack of policy specifics in 2016, Donald Trump responded “My voters don’t care and the public doesn’t care, they know you’re going to do a good job once you’re there.” Months later, Trump’s presidential win proved his statement true: voters don’t care about presidential policy. For the 2024 election, his political competitors are no better at discussing their plans. The new standard for campaigns and election media is entertainment above information. How did we get here? How do we get out? One thing is certain, if we continue to treat the presidency like it’s a season of “The Bachelor,” we’re in for a rough four years.
Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign set a precedent for the U.S. election. His tellit-like-it-is, nonconformist persona was integral to his win.
Megan Duncan, assistant professor in the undergraduate School of Communications, outlines the power of a strong personality and its influence in politics.
“A personality can even change what a party’s worldview looks like,” Duncan said. “I think we’re definitely seeing that with former President Trump changing what the conservative worldview is defined by using his personality.”
Trump’s current campaign strategy is to focus on exciting his viewers’ emotions, rather than his political agenda. According to NBC, he attempted to gain support from “the Black people” by stating he has also faced discrimination from the legal system. Yet, an article published by CNN references how he’s also attracted the support of white supremacists by refusing to condemn hate groups. Trump will try to form a bond, however disingenuous, with as many voters as possible. This kind of manipulation built him a passionate base. Trump supporters are more than voters — these adoring fans love the man, not just the politician. Their loyalty to him exemplifies just how powerful political showmanship can be.
In 2016, Trump’s personality-first campaign strategy was completely unique. After years of witnessing his ever-growing popularity, Trump’s techniques have
become the new norm around Washington. Last month, Nikki Haley’s son, Nalin Haley, opened her South Carolina press event by referring to Senator Tim Scott as “Senator Judas.” He also compared former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to Pennywise the clown from the horror movie “It.” Nalin Hayley’s character references epitomize the state of the election. Whether through insulting each other, or vague self-aggrandizement, candidates are reduced to nothing but a slew of adjectives.
President Joe Biden constantly assures us that his predecessor is no good, but what does “Biden” stand for? In discussing his 2024 election campaign, Biden admitted “If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running.” Coming from the potential next president, this statement is worrying. We don’t need a candidate to tell us who they think the wrong choice is. We need a candidate who will explain why they’re the right one.
Outside of the candidates themselves, social media is the biggest perpetrator of entertainment first, facts second politics. These sites’ biased algorithms push certain stories further than others, just like traditional news sources. However, social media algorithm’s dedication to keeping viewers addicted is even more dangerous. Scandals, drama and memes do far bigger numbers than traditional news. When it comes to altering our perception, memes have a lot of power in the political realm. According to USA Today, the millionaire founder of Oculus virtual reality, Palmer Luckey, donated money to a group creating memes smearing candidate Hilary Clinton during the 2016 election. Today, meme propaganda thrives on TikTok.
A TikTok by user “Cmm_254” compiling Trump’s “funniest” moments featured the comments “lol I miss this dude” and “he should have a podcast he’s so funny.” There are countless more videos and comments to this effect — a dark display of how TikTok reframes Trump’s image to young people. While some social media posts poke fun, they also unwittingly portray Trump as charming, clever and harmless.
Duncan emphasized how people are politically influenced by posts and
comments on social media even if they don’t engage.
“Online, the audience you have the best chance of influencing are the people watching and not participating — the people we call ‘lurkers,’” Duncan said. “These people have ambivalent opinions. It might mean that they’ve never seriously considered that issue before, and haven’t made up their mind, it might mean that they are unsure of which opinion they truly hold. So, they participate in a process of surveying public opinion. Those are the people who are persuadable.”
With TikTok as their info-hub, young people are more likely to see memes of a candidate than Trump’s support of a federal abortion ban. A study by Project Information Literacy found that 89% of student participants used TikTok as a news source. As memes spread, propaganda becomes truth in the minds of young voters. Trump becomes nothing more than a meme, and historically, we know young people can and will use their vote for such reasons.
Supporting candidates based on a vague personal brand they’ve created is a risky move. On the 2016 campaign trail, Trump depicted himself as the voice of working-class Americans. Once voted in, Trump stripped workers of their rights, repealed overtime protections, rolled back workplace safety rules and turned a blind eye to employers who steal their workers’ wages. By 2027, the richest 1% will have receive 83% of the Trump tax cut. More than half of all Americans will pay more in taxes, the majority being working class. Playing the part of a charming, benevolent spectacle worked for Trump on the campaign trail. Once in office, he failed to fill the role he had written for himself.
In the 2024 Republican primary, Trump’s supporters were asked whether they were backing him because of his position on the issues or his character traits; 89% said the latter. This is not a partisan phenomenon. An AP-NORC poll found that, rather than explain why they don’t support him, antiTrump voters were far likelier to describe him with cheap insults like “liar” and “bully.” Today’s election culture values
showmanship over competence and drama over truth. Personal appeal will inevitably be a factor in a presidential election, but it should not be the deciding one. We must look beyond the facade of a seemingly virtuous candidate.
Duncan has advice for students when it comes to avoiding the emotionally charged propaganda circulating on the internet.
“When you see information, see if it matches up with other news sources, especially ones you’ve heard of before and trusted,” Duncan said. “The problem is that it takes effort and scrolling through TikTok doesn’t. People are probably giving more credence to stuff they see on social media than they intend. This is a great time to practice being an engaged citizen.”
Duncan also provided insight on how voters should balance their exposure to social media with established new sources.
“Never before have we had such an abundance of information, never before has it been such an important skill to have that media literacy in the background,” Duncan said. “That’s why going to new aggregator sites like Google News or Yahoo News can help you figure out this very confusing media landscape.”
When asked about the easiest ways to find information on a candidate’s policies, Duncan recommends looking at candidate websites.
“Websites are a tool of persuasion, if you are a candidate and you produce a website, you might not be telling the full and detailed truth about yourself,” Duncan said. “But it’s going to give you a good idea of where they stand on many of the issues, and when you vote for them, you can hold them accountable for fulfilling those promises.”
We need candidates with a track record we can get behind, not just a dazzling persona. Superficial politics erode our democracy by masking who we vote for fully. Arming ourselves with information puts pressure on candidates to reveal their plan of action before they are sworn in.
Lifestyles staff writer Kelly Barker features a vital part of the Virginia Tech community, The Marching Virginians.
The Marching Virginians have been the soundtrack to Virginia Tech football games for 50 years. Their energizing cheers, memorable songs and tremendous halftime shows have delighted Hokies since the band’s creation in 1974. Over the years, they’ve performed at hundreds of televised football games, including over 25 bowl games. Their most recent was the 2023 Military Bowl.
This passionate group of students is more than just a marching band — they’re The Spirit of Tech. Win or lose, The Marching Virginians enthusiastically support the Hokies football team, electrifying Lane Stadium with their talent, energy and camaraderie. It is undeniable that Virginia Tech football games, and Virginia Tech itself, would not be the same without The Marching Virginians.
In and out of the football stadium, The Marching Virginians are proud to support their community. They have a long-running tradition of community service where they exemplify Virginia Tech’s motto of “Ut Prosim.” One of their largest service events is the Hokies for the Hungry food drive, where they collect canned food. All donations go to the Montgomery County Christmas Store, a non-profit organization that assists low-income members of the community. The Marching Virginians also participation fundraising events for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and host blood drives for the Red Cross among many other service projects.
In addition to the dedication that The Marching Virginians show to the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg communities, they also are dedicated to fostering a sense of community in the band.
“I’ve really been accepted into the community,” said Lynn McClafferty, a junior majoring in creative writing and a member of The Marching Virginians color guard. “I think a lot of the friendships (will be) really lasting.”
Other members of the band agree with
this sentiment.
As a recent graduate of fall 2023, Aaron Sexton, a clarinetist with a degree in civil engineering, remembers his time in The Marching Virginians fondly. When asked what his favorite part about being a Marching Virginian was, his answer was immediate.
“Well, that’s easy, the people,” Sexton said. “Every single friendship I’ve made has basically stemmed from the marching band…I’d say some of my best friends came from The Marching Virginians.”
Sharon Hudson, a freshman majoring in biological systems engineering and a member of The Marching Virginians color guard, said that her favorite part of being in the band is the sense of community.
“Starting college is scary, but marching band was something I knew, and everyone in the band really cared about the shows we did,” Hudson said. “It made me feel like I was part of something bigger, so the rest of the first semester didn’t seem so scary.”
Together, The Marching Virginians can participate in and influence the Hokie culture, while enjoying their own unique experience.
“There’s nothing like it,” said Brian Mccormack, a senior majoring in geography and a member of the trumpet section. “I will never forget my first game, being on the field for the first time, looking up at (the crowd). It was…chills.”
Chills are a familiar sensation at Virginia Tech football games. Our tradition of
jumping to “Enter Sandman” as the Hokies take the field is as beloved as it is famous, and Hokies have The Marching Virginians to thank for it.
“One day during the football run-on, the marching band was cold,” Sexton said. “So, they started jumping during ‘Enter Sandman,’ and the stadium just took it from there.”
Whether they are performing in Lane Stadium or participating in community service, The Marching Virginians proudly represent Virginia Tech. Their dedication, talent and fellowship are invaluable to the university.
The Black Student Alliance and Virginia Tech Union hosts renowned rappers in Burruss Hall.
On Feb. 23, the Black Student Alliance and the Virginia Tech Union collaborated to bring Hokies a night of fun, friends and famous artists for the 2024 spring concert. Being two of the largest student organizations on campus with their campus funding, the BSA and VTU have found that working together not only creates strong connections but also produces better concerts.
“I’m responsible for the largest budget which is concerts. This includes working to book the performers, managing the budget and creating a seamless execution of events to enhance the student experience,” said Cyndi Ikeagu, director of Concerts for the Virginia Tech Union. “Working with (BSA) often just serves as a benefit because both our organizations are equipped to handle larger crowds as were both great collaborators when it comes to live shows.”
Executing an event like this takes months of planning throughout the fall semester. Additionally, members of the Virginia Tech Union work with talent buyers to find performers and are also responsible for finding staff and preparing a venue. With so many responsibilities, some problems are bound to arise, but both organizations seemed to avoid any major issues.
“I think one of the biggest challenges was making sure our marketing was hitting a large percentage of the student body. Virginia Tech has 30,000 students, and Burruss Hall has a little under 3,000 seats, so it’s always risky, especially when it comes to artist selection,” Ikeagu said. “With such a diverse population, catering to everyone’s musical tastes while also ensuring a significant turnout can be a challenge sometimes. Ensuring that the vision for the concert aligned with both Virginia Tech’s integrity and the expectations of the students whose funding it goes towards is always a fine line I had to walk.”
Diego Canales, a sophomore majoring in multimedia journalism, applauded both organizations for the effort they put into the concert and shared that he had a
great time.
“My experience at the concert was okay. The BSA did a great job setting this up. The staff did a great job with directing people to the concert,” Canales said. “Polo G and Shy Glizzy did their thing with the crowd and people were entertained. I got okay seats by the front,
forward to Polo G’s performance.
“I decided to go because I was super excited to see the main act Polo G,” Craig said.“I have listened to him for years now, so it was crazy to me that he was playing at Virginia Tech. It was super cool that it was in Burruss. My favorite part was seeing how many people came to the
so I was satisfied with the seating. My favorite part was the Shy Glizzy opening act. He brought in a lot of energy. Polo G is a good artist, so it was actually pretty good to see him in person. People got their money’s worth and both artists delivered.”
While Canales preferred the Shy Glizzy performance, Caroline Craig, a freshman majoring in hospitality and tourism management was looking
concert. It was packed!”
Nevertheless, both students shared that parts of the show could be improved for future concerts.
“I was a little disappointed because I think they were not being time-efficient,” Craig said. “The only thing they could have improved on was creating a way to keep your audience engaged while waiting.”
During her reflection on this year’s
spring concert, Ikeagu reportedly feels very bittersweet.
“I have been planning concerts for almost three years now. I believe I have created a lot of those memorable college moments for Hokie Nation. Despite not being able to revive the energy from outdoor shows, I am proud of the effort and dedication put into organizing these performances,” Ikeagu said. “The night was a culmination of months of planning and coordination. Seeing it all come together was incredibly rewarding and also a big relief.”
For more information on how to attend or help plan future Virginia Tech concerts and events, visit the Virginia Tech Union’s website or the Black Student Alliance’s GobblerConnect profile.
The Hokies shot 54% from the field in the game.
A full-court press, a “chuck and chase” mentality and “lots of chaos” were just a few terms associated with the Thundering Herd.
The box score of their Sun Belt championship victory was unorthodox for many, including Kenny Brooks. It served as a preview of the style of basketball they play.
“I still don’t understand it,” Brooks said.“They forced 39 turnovers. They took 46 threes. They took 38-some free throws.”
Fortunately for Virginia Tech (25–7, 14–4 ACC), their size and prolific shooting was too much for Marshall (26–7, 11–1 SBC) in a 92–49 Round of 64 victory.
The first basket for the Hokies served as the overarching story of the game.
The Hokies got the ball to 6–7 Clara Strack under the basket, and she scored with ease on a Marshall defender that was not big enough to contest the shot.
Rose Micheaux had favorable looks inside, too. She got to the rim on back-to-back possessions in the opening quarter. Micheaux finished the day with nine points in 13 minutes.
Marshall has had success all season with variations of full court pressure, but it creates favorable transition opportunities and one-on-one looks in the post for other teams.
Strack’s three quick scores under the basket were all uncontested looks.
Virginia Tech was firing on all cylinders before Georgia Amoore picked up her second foul and went to the bench. Virginia Tech jumped out to a 10–0 lead and shot 62% from the field in the first few minutes.
In the closing minutes of the first quarter, however, the Thundering Herd went on a 9–0 run to make things interesting.
Virginia Tech was already missing a three-time ACC player of the year in Elizabeth Kitley. Amoore’s foul trouble could’ve made palms sweaty for Brooks’ squad.
Without their All-American guard, the Hokies held together, thanks to contribution from other players.
After a 21-day field-goal drought, Matilda Ekh broke her field goal drought with a three pointer, marking her first field goal since Feb.
29 at Notre Dame.
As a team, they shot just under 60% in the first half and led 42–25 at halftime. Without Amoore on the floor in the second quarter, their lead grew to 17 points.
Strack was a big part of that. In her first start, she had a game-high 14 points, including a three-pointer, before the break.
In the third quarter, the Hokies caught fire from three. They made three of their first four, and Ekh’s shooting slump was no more.
Ekh finished the game with 21 points, her second 20-point game of the season and the first since Dec. 17 against Rutgers.
After a rough shooting performance in Greensboro, returning to Cassell and shooting the ball so well was big for the players.
“(We’re) really proud, and it was fun to see the ball go in and have the energy spark from the home-court advantage,” Summiel said.
Marshall got blitzed in the third quarter. The 11–2 run with a barrage of threes was just the beginning. Virginia Tech’s lead eventually
ballooned to 29. They made 70% of their shots in the third quarter and put the game away.
The Hokies were the bigger, better team in this one. Marshall’s pressure and Amoore’s foul trouble made for an interesting first quarter, but Virginia Tech never trailed.
Strack and Ekh combined for 38 points, and Summiel’s impact was seen everywhere on the box score. Summiel finished with seven points, a game-high 14 rebounds, and a team-high five assists.
With this victory, Virginia Tech moved on to the Round of 32, and Brooks moved to 12–0 in March inside Cassell.
Virginia Tech’s next game against Baylor is scheduled for March 24 and available for viewing on ESPN.
@CTSPORTSTALKEkh’s first points in 22 days boosted Tech to the second round.
Matilda Ekh hadn’t scored in 22 days. You wouldn’t know that from her performance on Friday.
Virginia Tech’s junior guard ignited the spark she needed, scoring a season-high 21 points in a 92–49 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. She was a constant against Marshall, a team designed to create chaos and confusion. When Hokies guards Georgia Amoore and Cayla King sat much of the game in foul trouble, Ekh was a steady hand.
“I’ve not been scoring as much lately, but
basketball is a game of ups and downs,” Ekh said. “I’ve been just trying to keep my confidence up and keep going.”
Ekh sat at 999 career points since Feb. 29, finally eclipsing the 1,000 mark with a threepointer with 2:10 left in the first quarter, raising Tech’s lead up to 18–3.
She got her next opportunity with less than a minute left in the half, building the Hokies’ lead — which had simmered to as few as seven — to nine. She then drained two more consecutive threes, raising the lead to 21.
Before Ekh’s streak, the Hokies held an
insecure lead. After it, the game was out of reach.
“When she plays like that, we’re a really good basketball team, and I was very proud of her and very happy for her, her first time being in the NCAA Tournament,” said Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks. “This is what she came here for.”
King and Amoore only played half of the game while in foul trouble for the first three quarters. Ekh and forward Olivia Summiel were the only veterans on the floor, often playing with three freshmen in high pressure
situations.
“I trust everyone on this team,” Ekh said. “We know that if someone goes down, someone else has to step up. I think we all did a good job of contributing to this win and helping each other out.”
Brooks preached poise entering Friday’s game; he wrote the word in all caps and circled it on the locker room whiteboard. Marshall runs a chaotic, press-heavy system, so it would be easy for the Hokies to get rattled.
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Ekh showed poise all game, even as her fellow veterans sat on the bench. She worked to break the press and never looked overwhelmed, contributing to Tech’s victory.
“She’s not loud. She doesn’t talk that much,” Amoore said.“It goes into her play and her consistency and her ability to stay calm.”
When Ekh’s scoring drought began, the Hokies had three-time ACC Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitley to fall back on. Since then, Kitley sustained a torn ACL, taking
away an average of 23 points per game.
Clara Strack filled Kitley’s void well on Friday, scoring 17 points and grabbing five rebounds, but having threats on the perimeter helped.
“It’s always amazing to have the threepoint shooters on,” Strack said. “It’s so helpful because when they started to really crash down low — when we’re getting a lot of our points inside — it’s really helpful to have our shooters hitting because they pull out the defense. It really balances the scoring throughout the team.”
After Ekh’s three scoreless games from
the end of the regular season through the ACC Tournament, Ekh needed a reset, and found it in a meeting with Brooks.
“She was down and out because she felt like she didn’t help us, and really she didn’t,” Brooks said. “It was affecting other parts of her game... I think she understood that I believe in her, and then she believed in me and what we were going to do, and ever since then she’s had a different mentality in practice.”
After Kitley’s injury, Brooks preached a “next player up” mentality — meaning when one player is unavailable, someone
else needs to fill their void. Ekh, through her consistency and poise, was that next player up on Friday.
“That’s something we’ve been talking about,” Ekh said. “More people are gonna have to contribute.”
Dylan Tefft | sports staff writer
Elizabeth Kitley scored 33 points and Georgia Amoore added 20.
Virginia Tech was defeated by Ohio State in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament, 81–73, ending both its NIT campaign and its season.
The Hokies (19–15, 10–10 ACC) struggled to put the ball in the basket, allowing Ohio State (22–13, 9–11 Big Ten) to build a lead. Despite narrowing that lead to one possession, Tech was ultimately unable to claw back.
Too little too late. The final loss was indicative of the Hokies’ season.
This year is the second straight that Virginia Tech entered the NIT and quickly exited. Last year’s elimination came in an 81–72 loss to Cincinnati in the first round.
Reaching the second round this season is an improvement — but still falls vastly short of where the team wants to be.
Graduate student Hunter Cattoor tied a team high 18 points in the final game of his collegiate career. Cattoor leaves Tech with sole possession of the program’s three-point field goal record, ending his five-year reign with 332. The Orlando-based guard was a reliable shooter from deep who began and ended his career as a Hokie.
Junior Sean Pedulla was the other 18-point scorer, tacking on six rebounds and eight assists — each tying or topping team highs.
Virginia Tech took the court at the Schottenstein Center sporting its burnt orange jerseys — signaling that even though it isn’t the NCAA Tournament, it was taking the postseason seriously.
It proved this as it jumped out to a 7–0 start, largely due to enter Lynn Kidd’s early domination coming off a 20-point performance
against Richmond.
The beginning of the game set a physical tone, and the officials weren’t holding their whistles, resulting in a combined 52 free throws, 44 fouls and an eventual second-half scuffle between the two teams.
The Hokies struggled from deep at the start. Their 1–9 start from deep was strikingly similar to their early three-point shooting struggles against Richmond on Tuesday.
They hit just one three in their first nine tries — a long shot by guard Tyler Nickel to put the Hokies up, 10–6.
Nickel’s two threes contributed to the five makes in 21 tries for Virginia Tech all game.
The remainder of the half dredged on with a mix of messy shots and turnovers, but Ohio State’s albeit rough-around-the-edges offense outplayed Tech’s, giving the Buckeyes the lead going into the half, 36–26.
Virginia Tech went on to outscore Ohio State in its final half of the season, 47–45, but the Buckeye’s first-half lead was too great to put it over the edge.
Pedulla put on a foul-drawing clinic to help get the Hokies within three points as they were threatened with just 4:51 left in their season, drawing five shooting fouls in the second half alone.
With Ohio State winning, 67–64, Tech was rendered scoreless for three minutes and 22 seconds — a lack of offense that iced both the game and its season.
The Buckeyes will look ahead to the NIT quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of Georgia vs. Wake Forest on Sunday, March 24 at 4 p.m.
As for head coach Mike Young and the
Hokies, they will turn their attention to the transfer portal as they hope to attract new talent for the upcoming 2024-25 season. They’ll just hope it goes better than this one. @CTSPORTSTALK