April 1, 2024

NEWS

KIERA SCHNEIDERMAN CINCHES UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SENATE PRESIDENCY FOR A SECOND TERM

Schneiderman

Kiera Schneiderman, the two-time student body president, is a political science and criminology double major graduating with the class of 2025. She hopes to hold public office in the future.

“I want to be a politician, which is easier said than done,” Schneiderman said. “I can’t think of a better way to experience that right now as a 21-year-old. I represent 30,000 people and must make tough decisions and be diplomatic.”

Schneiderman first campaigned for president as a sophomore and as reported by VT News, was re-elected as the incumbent candidate as of March 26, 2024. Her second term will begin on May 9.

Despite this accomplishment, Schneiderman has remained humble and focused. Schneiderman says she reached out to organizations and went in-person to speak at meetings

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plans to continue working on students’ parking issues.

rather than relying solely on social media presence or promotional materials.

“It’s super exciting (to be re-elected as the incumbent candidate),” Schneiderman said. “I really focus on the groundwork — those in-person relationships and presentations — because personally if I see a poster of someone I’ve never seen in my life, I’m not going just to go ahead and vote for them. The tactics I use are a little less public, so people sometimes think, ‘What is she up to right now?’ but two times I’ve won.”

Schneiderman at first was unsure whether she wanted to run for re-election. She commented that she went back and forth between running for president or the undergraduate board of visitors representative. She ultimately decided on president because she feels rewarded by the hands-on work and regards it as a vital

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demonstration of the needs and wants of the whole student body, not just her passions.

“I don’t think it’s right to use my position to only further my causes and to use it to benefit myself,” Schneiderman said. “Of course, there are some things — such as free menstrual products — that do benefit me, but I try to always remain neutral. If I were to pick a side on some things, I would be doing a disservice to thousands of students.”

Schneiderman says she makes an effort to always listen to students’ hot-seated issues, which is why parking continues to be such a huge part of her platform. She has collaborated with parking services to remove carpool spots and make Owens lot F/S instead of F/S 24/7 in the upcoming year. The USS will also introduce the first student parking ambassador.

“I meet with the director of parking services somewhat regularly,” Schneiderman said. “It was her idea to have a student parking ambassador working for them. Right now, it’s a pilot project and the plan is to expand it to a team. They would help give out warning tickets and spread information. The goal here is to expand student knowledge. There’s always going to be students

who intentionally break the rules, but a lot of them genuinely don’t know the rules to begin with.”

Another important issue Schneiderman has tackled over the past year is sexual violence prevention. She started with a free menstrual product pilot project and worked with her peer, USS Senator Delia Alcorn, to bring SANE (sexual violence nurse examiner) to Schiffert Health Center. She intends to create more student resource opportunities available after 5 p.m. and expand prevention education during orientation.

“This (assault) does happen on college campuses — it is not unique to us,” Schneiderman said. “I want that knowledge of reporting and safety to be more consistent, so people are more comfortable accessing resources.”

Schneiderman looked grateful as she said that this year has been transformative for her. She initially won this position as a sophomore and recognized that she would’ve never expected what her presidency would bring, or that she would be re-elected again. Moving forward, Schneiderman has many issues she intends to address on behalf of the student body.

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RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS APPLY TO VIRGINIA TECH, POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTING TO BLACKSBURG HOUSING CRISIS

Ava Garrison | news writer

Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith shares thoughts on how Tech’s expansion affects Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech’s first-year applications were at an all-time high for the fourth year in a row, according to Virginia Tech News. In this round of applications, 52,365 applicants applied, which is 11% higher than last year.

This year, first-year applicant numbers are 50% higher than first-year applications in 2018. Undergraduate applicants have an average GPA of 4.07 which is just above last year’s average of 4.06.

“It is a growing awareness of what Virginia Tech is today, as opposed to 50 years ago or something like that,” said Mark Owczarski, associate vice president of communications and marketing, when asked what record high first-year applicants mean to Virginia Tech. “It also speaks to the fact that Virginia Tech, through its leadership, has made some good choices over the years; it offers the educational experiences that students are looking for.”

Owczarski says that there is no way to predict if first-year applications will always break a

record but says that ensuring the university has the qualities people seek is a start.

“We always need to be aware and always look to get better, whatever that means,” Owczarski said. “Constantly seeking ways to get better, better facilities, better faculty, better financial resources, financial aid, and quality of life. It is super important that just because things are going well today, or seem like another great record, you cannot take that for granted.”

Owczarski went on to say that Virginia Tech’s reputation, in a competitive marketplace of higher education, is the reason for the record high first-year applications. The football team, research centers, the campus and the town surrounding Virginia Tech have forged the university’s reputation.

While having so many students in Blacksburg is a great feat for Virginia Tech, Mayor of Blacksburg Leslie Hager-Smith said, “A hundred students compared to 30,000,

ok doesn’t sound like a lot. But the truth is, in our small town with no place to expand and a transportation grid that is already stressed, a hundred students is another apartment complex every year,” according to WFXR Fox.

Demand for housing in Blacksburg has led to less affordable options. In response, the town has voted to rezone, saying around 16,000 people commute into Blacksburg daily because of a lack of affordable housing, according to The Roanoke Times. Hager-Smith says that most students who attend Virginia Tech live in Blacksburg.

Hager-Smith later said that student housing has been added but that the issue needs to be fixed if the university wants to continue to grow.

Owczarski replied to this in a statement to WFXR Fox, explaining that while the mayor and the university may not agree completely, they are doing all that they can to ensure that they take concerns into account.

“It does not (have anything to do with

Blacksburg’s housing crisis),” Owczarski said.

“Increased applications do not mean more people here. What it does is it creates a new challenge which is that we have more students who seek access to a Virginia Tech education, who may not be able to have it. Because what happens is, you become more selective, and more students do not get to come; we were created 152 years ago to be accessible to all who seek a Virginia Tech degree.”

Owczarski explained that the university, town and state are working to find the next best step to accommodate demographic and population enrollment trends.

“It is a challenge to try to figure it out, but it does not mean it will have an impact,” Owczarski said.

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OPINIONS PLAYING COZY GAMES DOESN’T MAKE YOU LESS OF A GAMER

Sarah Leberknight | opinions columnist

Stress-free and calming gameplay is for everyone, regardless of gender.

The gaming community has seen the rise of the “cozy game” genre over the last few years, especially since the pandemic, and the genre has continued to explode. The definition of a cozy game varies, but usually refers to stress-free, casual games that have a calming influence — examples would be “Animal Crossing,” “Coffee Talk” or “Stardew Valley.” However, with the rise of the genre has come the rise, or reminder, that the gaming community isn’t a welcoming place for all gamers. The community often ostracizes players who don’t fit their bill of what a gamer is. People

who play cozy games are disregarded because cozy games aren’t “real” video games given their lack of intense gameplay. Worse, the genre is belittled because cozy games are commonly associated with women, highlighting the prevalent sexism in the community. This sexism persists despite the fact that women make up about 47% of the world’s console gamers. The gatekeeping of the gaming community and who gets the “title” of gamer is ridiculous — gamers aren’t lesser than because they don’t play traditionally acceptable gamer genres like RPGs, shooters or action-adventure games.

Cozy games aren’t taken as seriously due to their relaxed, typically non-violent nature. But that’s an ignorant stance that disregards the sheer variety of the genre. Just because a game doesn’t have violence or gore around every corner doesn’t mean it has nothing to offer. Cozy games have a variety of gameplay styles, from simulations to puzzles to casual platformers and adventure games. They are visually diverse, with a multitude of animation styles including pixelated, hand-drawn and soft 3D. Many of them have rich stories and narrative elements, such as “Spiritfarer” and “Night in the Woods.”

There’s plenty of depth within the genre, offering just as much as “regular,” non-cozy games.

Melanie Brown, a senior majoring in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience in addition to psychology and a self-professed cozy gamer, discussed the enjoyment of cozy games.

“There’s no pressure,” Brown said. “There’s a long-term goal so you’re just working towards that. And there’s no immediate stress. … (There’s) not anything to worry about…it’s something I do to unwind and that works for continued on page 4

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me.”

Certain genres of video games don’t have more merit than others, and they don’t determine how much of a gamer someone is. There is not, and should not be, a hierarchy within the identity of a gamer. A gamer is someone who plays video games. What they play doesn’t matter because not every kind of video game is for everyone, in the same nature as not every genre of book is for everyone. People are readers regardless of what genres they read or don’t read. No one says that a person isn’t a reader because they refuse to read historical fiction or sci-fi. You may not agree with their tastes, but you don’t take the title of reader away. Gaming is the same, except it is for some reason acceptable to discredit people based on what genres they like to play.

“I don’t think there should be any kind of line drawn because I don’t think that makes very much sense,” Brown said. “Why would these kind of games be excluded when, you know, they’re all games. If someone wants to be part of this gaming community, going to cons or conventions or stuff like that, (playing cozy games) shouldn’t be looked down upon because at the end of the day, they’re all games.”

Cozy game players are the most common victims of genre discrimination within the gaming community. I know too many people who play cozy games and are exhausted of the judgment they receive from “real” gamers — the audible noises of disgust and the voiced, often crass judgment. This behavior is very similar to what I — a consumer of many genres — and other female gamers have faced, regardless of the games they play. Sexism is rampant in the gaming industry and community, in a variety of aspects from playing to developing. Female gamers aren’t taken seriously and are simply assumed to be worse gamers. Gaming is classed as a male hobby and is stereotyped in the media as such. This leaves other identities to drown in the gaming community, a community that should support all gamers regardless of what games they play or who they are.

The issue of sexism in gaming carries over into cozy gaming because the genre is increasingly associated with women. The idea that cozy games are invalid doesn’t just come from the fact that they’re easygoing but also because they’re allegedly feminine — which isn’t true. Cozy games aren’t just for one demographic, and they are certainly not just for girls. After all, not all cozy gamers are women. The point of cozy games is

that they are light, great for escapism and taking it easy during stressful times. That’s something that everyone needs, no matter who you are. Associating cozy games exclusively with women puts them in a box — not all women gamers play cozy games — and uses sexism to discredit the games and their players, regardless of who the players actually are.

“People associate cozy gaming with girls playing those games so a lot of the stigma comes from that —girls play these games so they’re not really games,” Brown said.

Gaming should not be a divisive experience, especially when considering that historically gamers are negatively stereotyped — nerdiness hasn’t always been a cool attribute. The outside perception of the gaming community has begun to change, and the perceptions within the gaming community need to follow. People are not lesser than, or invalid gamers, for enjoying specific games or genres. If a game isn’t your cup of tea, don’t play it. Cozy games existing and people playing them aren’t going to hurt your existence as a non-cozy gamer.

“People should definitely be more openminded,” Brown said. “Everyone does these games to relax and escape from their day-to-day life, so who are people to say whether a game

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should be included in this community or not, or like people who play this certain genre of game. Everyone is doing it for the same reason and should be able to connect through that.”

Shunning people who play certain game genres defeats the purpose of even having a gaming community. The gaming community should be a uniting force — a place where gamers of all kinds can come and embrace their nerdiness. People should be able to play whatever games they want to, whatever games make them happy, without fear of retribution from fellow gamers. It doesn’t matter whether you play easy-going farm simulations or intense first-person shooters. Or both — people don’t have to just like one genre of game. Gaming is an expansive hobby, and there is something for everyone, whether it’s bloody “Baldur’s Gate 3” or cozy “Unpacking.” Instead of belittling someone for the games they play, pick up their games and try them, because maybe you’re missing out on a delightful experience. Appreciate that the gaming community is expanding and collecting more people who want to immerse themselves in the vast world of gaming.

ART ON A BUDGET: THE PERSEVERANCE OF STUDENT ARTISANS AND DESIGNERS

Aidan Mason | lifestyles writer

University students see college as a place to grow their art as business ventures.

A common complaint many artists have had throughout the years is that producing their work is expensive and time-consuming. For professionals, this may be less of an issue, but for those in the early stages of their art ,like college students, it can be much more difficult. College itself can be stressful regarding finances.

Despite all this, college creatives and artisans persevere. They each have unique ways of doing so to keep their art alive.

How it all began

“I started making custom apparel when I first got my Cricut a handful of years ago,” said Trevor Vanlandingham, a sophomore majoring in public health with a communications minor.

It began as a way for him to make apparel for close friends and family but became a business when he arrived at college.

“I feel like this started when I was very young, but grew more as I aged,” said Haley Cook, a freshman studying history and social science education.

It began with her mother pretending to put makeup on her as a young child, before becoming real in her preteen years as she began to watch beauty tutorials.

College environment

College can be very stressful, with lots of homework and classes. But at the same time, it can be an environment where creativity and connection flourish. After all, it’s one of the few times in life when you’re guaranteed to be around people your own age in your pursuits.

“I believe that for me, college is a period of self-growth and finding yourself,” Cook said.

She pointed out the personal growth

that she’d gone through and the positive environment she was allowed to express herself in.

“I find it has been fairly easy to build a following and customers due to the connections through different VT organizations, Greek life and classmates,” Vanlandingham said. He pointed out the difference between his more rural upbringing and the more populous amount of residents on campus.

So little money, so little time

Even with a supportive environment, the realities of money and time can be very harsh on students, especially those who aren’t used to the rigorous schedule of college yet. And for those that may be struggling financially, finding supplies can be even harder to get.

Cook stated that since she arrived on a

scholarship, she’s often preoccupied with covering expenses outside of its coverage. However, she always makes time to prioritize art, spending money on supplies and even making do when she can’t make it work. Time, on the other hand, is not an issue for her.

Vanlandingham notes that his business is relatively new, so he hasn’t had many difficulties yet. He has, however, started to purchase more rolls because orders are beginning to become more frequent.

Vanlandingham and Cook may be very different artists, but both have managed to make it work in a college setting. Their example shows that no matter the situation, art will always persevere.

APPRECIATING DANCE AS AN ART FORM: HOW DANCE SIMULTANEOUSLY PERMITS LIBERATION AND UNIFICATION

Anna Payne | lifestyles contributor

The president of SalsaTech opens up about the club’s unique role in Virginia Tech dance culture.

Dance can be a myriad of things to any person. To some, dance is an outlet, to others, dance is elegance and to some, like Elizabeth Kline, president and member of SalsaTech, dance is liberation.

“In the style of dance I do, the roots of Latin dances come from resisting oppression and finding ways to keep a sense of freedom in your life,” Kline said.

Kline has been the president of SalsaTech for the last two years. She believes that her organization, which provides free-tolow-cost dance opportunities, cultivates an open, welcoming environment.

“... As an organization, we are in the position to provide opportunities to learn dance,” Kline said.“We’ve been able to create a remarkable sense of community which brings me joy.”

In many ways, art describes dance. Dance

and art share a beautiful sense of flexibility, adaptable to a multitude of definitions, cultures and people. It is crucial to acknowledge the impact art has on our world. Art can create connections across cultures, serving as a universal language that expresses complex emotions and concepts. Similarly, dance serves this purpose.

“You have this ability to essentially have a conversation with someone through dancing, to dance to music that has so many stories to be told,” Kline said. “I get to go to spaces where there is a group of adults of all ages, anywhere from 18 to 70, still dancing. I get to be in these spaces surrounded by people from wildly different backgrounds and demographics and at different stages of their lives, and the only reason they are in the same room together is the shared love for social dancing.”

EDM CLUB REVOLUTIONIZES THE BLACKSBURG MUSIC SCENE

Michaela Scott | lifestyles editor

Lifestyles editor Michaela Scott shares how the EDM Club makes sound waves on campus.

The EDM Club at Virginia Tech comprises a collection of individuals who enjoy listening to electronic dance music (EDM), producing music or performing as DJs. The club’s goal: Assemble all these interests into a harmoniously integrated community.

Since its inception in the 1980s, EDM slowly transformed itself from an underground niche genre to the third most popular genre in the world, according to a recent study in IMS Business Report.

Although the report estimates 1.5 billion EDM listeners, the unique music sector hasn’t fully developed in Blacksburg, Virginia. However, the club of EDM enthusiasts are on their way to revolutionize the music scene on campus, which has created a recent surge of interest among college students.

“Our club started well before I was here, but it went through many ups and downs, especially with the impact from the COVID lockdown,” said Logan Mayfield, EDM Club president and senior majoring in mechanical

engineering. “This year we wanted to revive it. I really wanted to leave a mark on the community and contribute to the school because I am graduating this year. We made a comeback and I have already seen our group prosper.”

The club president emphasized that students need zero prior experience producing, mixing music or performing as a DJ to be a member. Interest in the genre is all it takes to join the organization. Mayfield encourages students to follow the club on Instagram (@EDMClubatVT), join the club’s Discord or message them on GobblerConnect to stay informed on the organization’s upcoming meetings and events.

The club has a dues system of $25, while also providing a T-shirt to new members and free entry to all EDM Club affiliated events and workshops.

“The biggest challenge we’ve faced so far as a group is working through the stigma that EDM has,” said Charlie Walker, EDM Club vice continued on page 6

A divine sense of individuality can also be discovered through dancing. As dance differs from person to person, there is a way to make the art completely unique to each and every creator. Kline even believes that self-discovery is possible through dance.

“Dancing as a whole is fascinating because when I started dancing… I felt clumsy and awkward, and I stuck with it largely out of stubbornness, but also my friends wanted to go back. And over time I’ve come to realize that it is one of the healthiest and best things I could have done for myself, and it has transformed how I see myself and my connection with others,” Kline said. “Dance was an opportunity for me to learn how to fail and rediscover that I’m great at many things other than going to classes, there’s a freedom in the self-assuredness of realizing that.”

Is dancing simply a natural response as music plays at a party? A showcase you give to your friends on Just Dance Night? Or is dancing the ability to discover things about yourself, physically and mentally? Is dance a communicator in ways that words can’t be? An even more provoking question, is dance simultaneously a reason to be silly, fun, serious, contemplative and exploratory? The beautiful thing about art is it grants creators the permission and ability to exercise their discretion.

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president and junior majoring in building construction. “At least in rural Virginia, I think some people have a negative feeling about it because some students aren’t used to it. As we keep growing, people are starting to understand it more. It’s something we want to facilitate as a mainstream genre in everyone’s minds.”

Beginning in fall 2023, the club implemented a variety of events that engage audiences downtown as well as gatherings on campus to promote the growth of the club, including occasional interest meetings and production workshops.

“Typically, we will book a classroom and host open format workshops to show people how DJing works, get beginners’ hands on it and let people try out all the buttons on our controllers and equipment to see what they do,” Mayfield said. “We also do production workshops to teach the bare bones of making music and provide some pointers that you wouldn’t typically think of when you’re first starting out.”

In terms of booking events that bring in broad crowds in downtown Blacksburg, Mayfield and Walker have worked overtime this year. They seek to create long-lasting connections and partnerships with businesses to establish themselves among the town.

“We tell booking managers and owners

that we’re solely in this for the love of the game and we’re not trying to make a ton of money or do anything outrageous,” Mayfield said. “We just want to perform for the sake of doing it and gaining experience.”

Walker mentioned that in the beginning, the club started performing at venues on Wednesdays which then progressed to Thursdays. As the EDM Club developed strong connections, they eventually started receiving weekend slots at venues, which ultimately brought in their widest audience. The two executives admitted that they’re still in the process of learning and building their network, yet they’ve already seen heightened interest in Blacksburg.

In the past, the group has performed at The Milk Parlor, The Burg Resto-Bar and even untraditional spots like Benny Marzano’s. The EDM Club has also put into effect themed nights like ‘neon-out’ or ‘ski-rave’ during their performances to pique interest among Hokies.

“During our first major event, we had no real idea what to expect, in terms of the turnout,” Mayfield said. “We were all going into it nervous because if we bombed hard on a Friday night, it was going to set the tone low for our club and the business that allowed us to perform. However, watching people come in that night was insane. I remember stepping outside and seeing that we couldn’t even see the end of the line wrapped around

The Milk Parlor. That was the moment where I really thought this was neat. I’m glad that I’m doing this. It was a hopeful moment that will definitely stick with me for a long time.”

The club primarily promotes their events through digital flyers on their Instagram profile, although Walker highlighted that word of mouth is the EDM Club’s biggest way of attracting an audience. He added that through the club’s nature, they have partnered with fraternities and their subgroups, in addition to the groups that each of their members bring in from their social circles.

“We try to get as many people as possible to come experience our events,” Mayfield said. “If you don’t like it, no harm, no foul. If you do, great, hopefully you’ll be back. We appreciate anyone who is willing to come out and see what we do, at least once.”

Since January, the executive board also started working with DJs across the country to heighten engagement and continue their club’s emergence among Virginia Tech students.

In late March, the organization officially announced their most significant event of the year, taking place at The Burg on Saturday, April 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The performance features a prominent worldwide DJ and producer, Lee Foss, founder of Tech House record label, Repopulate Mars and its sublabel South of Saturn. He is also co-founder of the dance

music label Hot Creations.

Mayfield describes Foss as a legendary DJ and producer, and a founding father of house music as their organization knows and loves it today. The EDM Club feels honored to be affiliated with this event. They are hopeful that they’ll truly leave a mark on the music scene as they bring in a world-renowned DJ for the first time in Blacksburg history.

“We were extremely lucky to get this opportunity to work with him and it’sdefinitely going to be our magnum opus event,” Walker said.“This guy is pretty influential, and his previous work has inspired almost the entire genre of EDM music.”

As the organization broadens its crowds, the executive team is also ensuring that they maintain the longevity of the EDM community and consistently building its network.

“One of our biggest sayings in this community is an abbreviation called P.L.U.R.,” Mayfield said. “It stands for peace, love and utmost respect. That’s resonated within our club members, and we hope to bring that energy to the students at Tech as well.”

TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY KEEPS FIBER ARTS ALIVE

Mollie Coogan | lifestyles contributor

Local crafters have the opportunity to engage in a variety of creative activities with loops groups.

Fiber arts are sometimes overlooked as a medium because they are not commonly displayed in galleries. Instead, blankets, tapestries, pillows and other handmade items occupy homes and act as reminders of loved ones. In a time where scrolling on the Internet can fill free time, it is easy to forget that hobbies are an enriching way to unwind after a long day. Enter Loops Group.

Loops Group is a community group dedicated to sharing a love of fiber arts and providing help to anyone in the New River Valley who would like to learn more about arts such as knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross-stitch and quilting.

Loops Group is held every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the MontgomeryFloyd Regional Library in downtown Blacksburg. People from all backgrounds

and fiber art experience levels are encouraged to participate. There is only one prerequisite: bring a project.

Most of the members have experience with different art mediums. Between the five members who attended the weekly meeting on March 27, 2024, the group has a variety of experiences.

“We have people who come (to the meetings) who need help. They want to learn, but they don’t know where to start, so we can help them with that,” said Layel Zelazny, a member of the group.

Loops Group can also be a resource for people who already know about fiber arts. Since each member has different specialties, they can take turns giving advice to visitors who come seeking help with specific projects.

The atmosphere of Loops Group meetings is relaxing and comforting. Many of the projects brought to each meeting will become gifts for loved ones, and members can freely share details about their lives. Zelazny describes that she is working on projects for her great-grandchildren.

Zelazny and fellow Loops Group member Marie Martin also work on projects for the Montgomery County Christmas Store — a storefront dedicated to providing people in need with holiday shopping opportunities at no cost. Martin makes hats and scarves for donations in addition to volunteering in the store during the holiday season.

For those looking to get involved with fiber arts on a budget, the members emphasize that many stores in the New River Valley offer low-cost supplies. Thrift

stores like the Humane Society Second Time Around and the YMCA may offer used knitting needles, and portions of yarn or fabric for people looking to learn the art of their choosing.

Member Angie Robinson had advice for anyone hoping to find materials at secondhand stores. “Try to be a regular if you’re interested in doing things with the thrift stores because you never know what might be there.”

Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann Fabrics in Christiansburg, Sew Biz in Radford and New River Art and Fiber in Blacksburg all offer supplies for people looking to begin their fiber art journeys.

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NO. 13 VIRGINIA TECH BUNTS ITS WAY INTO A SERIES-CLINCHING WIN AGAINST PITT

Dylan Tefft | sports editor

Virginia Tech and Pitt took to a windy English Field on Saturday to play game three of what had been an ultracompetitive series, tied at one game apiece. Despite the Panthers once again testing it, Tech came away with the series win, 6–5.

Pitt — a team that was just 1–8 in ACC play before this weekend’s matches — snapped the Hokies’ (21–5, 10–2 ACC) eight-game win streak on Friday, tying up a series that many assumed it would fail to take a game in.

No matter what the standings said, Pitt proved its ability to compete with the No. 13 ranked Hokies in each game. Even in its eventual series-ending loss the Panthers kept the game tied or better for seven innings.

“I try to explain to our guys that’s the ebb and flow of this league,” said Virginia Tech head coach John Szefc. “This time last week we’re sitting on top of the world.

Winning, sweeping series on the road and today that almost didn’t happen.”

The 17 points that the Hokies scored against Pitt is their lowest in any series this season, the next lowest being the 25 they plated against Louisville in mid-March.

“On paper, that was the last place team, right,” Szefc said. “I mean, that’s what it was. But they certainly didn’t play like the last place team.

Pitt’s five points may have been many more if not for Virginia Tech starting pitcher Griffin Stieg. The McLean, Virginia native began the match baring teeth — striking out three straights in the first inning to retire the side himself.

“I was just being able to command consistently and keep them off balance and just continue with those strikes,” Stieg said. “I just try to attack them as much as possible.”

Stieg’s seven strikeouts tie his career

high — the first coming in a five inning, no earned-run performance on Feb. 25 against Rhode Island — a game where Virginia Tech dominated, 14–2.

Doing it again in a tight in-conference game following a disappointing loss for his team, the sophomore’s second seven K outing of the season proved to be his most impactful.

Closer Jordan Little finished what Stieg started — shutting down Pitt’s final go at offense with a pair of strikeouts and a fly out before the Panthers could even blink. It was a much-needed stop after a two-run bottom-of-the-eighth put Virginia Tech up by a single point.

“He clearly can operate in tight situations,” Szefc said. “And there’s a lot of intangible to that because a lot of guys can’t do that. So, when you come in and watch and you see that dude come out of the bullpen that’s one of the reasons why you’re coming to the ballpark. To see him do what he just did.”

Little capped off his final frame outing with a passionate celebration as his team ran out of the dugout to embrace him. His save against the Panthers is his fourth in the last nine days.

Not games — days. Little has established himself as one of the premier closers in the ACC, and he does it in a way that energizes both him and his squad.

“Yeah, for sure,” Little said when asked if his celebrations give him and his team a momentum boost. “I just try to get the momentum back to our side when things are going wrong. I think it’s just my competitiveness out there. I kind of black out when I’m out there to be honest with you. I just go up there, execute and then sometimes I let my emotions get the best of me, but I guess it’s all part of the game. I love this game and I’m very passionate about it.”

Little’s save came just after an eighth inning where Virginia Tech managed to get ahead in a way its high-torque offense hasn’t all season — three consecutive bunts. With men on third and first,

centerfielder Ethan Gibson and shortstop Clay Grady both executed perfect bunts that allowed themselves to get on base while runners advanced, tying the score at five. Then came Hokies’ star slugger Carson DeMartini.

DeMartini took a huge chop at the first pitch — a standard swing for the junior who has stacked up 14 home runs so far this season. On the next pitch, however, he shows bunt, and squeezes one that gets him out, but scores Gibson. It ended up being the winning bunt for Virginia Tech.

“That might have been the first bunt of DeMartini’s career,” Szefc said. “You can be pretty sure that when DeMartini comes up with the bases loaded in the eighth that they’re not thinking he’s gonna lay a squeeze bunt on them, you just never know when it’s gonna happen.”

Although Virginia Tech bent a bit during its series against Pitt, it never broke. It will hope to carry the momentum of another series win into a rematch with Marshall on Tuesday, April 2 at 6 p.m. Tech defeated Marshall on March 26, winning 4–2.

“We’re first place, did we play like a firstplace team? Eh, I don’t know,” Szefc said. “We played good enough to win the series and, sometimes you’d rather win a little freaky game than lose. I think it just sets us up well to go into next phase.”

THOMAS BRAY / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Carson DeMartini running the bases, Feb. 24, 2024.

Griffin Stieg’s seven strikeouts helped Virginia Tech take series against Pitt.

KENNY BROOKS ACCEPTS JOB AT KENTUCKY

Sam Mostow | sports editor

Brooks was the women’s basketball coach for eight seasons.

Kenny Brooks, the women’s basketball head coach at Virginia Tech for eight seasons, accepted the head coaching position at the University of Kentucky, Virginia Tech announced on Tuesday.

“Kenny, his staff and student-athletes created a culture of excellence on and off the court,” Virginia Tech director of athletics Whit Babcock said in a statement. “He was an incredible mentor to the young women in our women’s basketball program and a terrific representative of our department and university. We wish Kenny and his family well in this next chapter of his career.”

Brooks, 55, built the program from the top, inheriting a team that had gone 10 years

without more than five wins in ACC play. From there, he took Tech to the Final Four in 2023 and the NCAA Tournament three more times. The Hokies won the ACC Tournament in 2023 and won the ACC regular season championship in 2023–24.

Under his tenure, Brooks recruited and developed All-Americans Elizabeth Kitley and Georgia Amoore. Four Hokies under his tenure were drafted into the WNBA: Regan Magarity, Aisha Sheppard, Kayana Traylor and Taylor Soule.

The Waynesboro, Virginia, native will move to Lexington after spending his whole life in the commonwealth. After finishing his playing career at James Madison, he became an

assistant men’s coach at VMI before returning to his alma mater. There, he moved to the women’s side, became the head coach there, then moved to Blacksburg in 2016.

Brooks signed a contract extension in summer 2023, after the Final Four run, for six years and $6.4 million to keep him in Blacksburg through the 2028-29 season. The deal contains a buyout of $750,000 if Brooks leaves before April 1, 2025, according to The Roanoke Times.

Kentucky has not disclosed the terms of his new contract as of publication. The Athletic reported that Brooks will be the third-highest paid coach in the SEC, which would put him between $1.5 million and $3.1 million per

year.

Players who wish to leave or join Virginia Tech have a 45-day window to transfer programs, starting March 18.

Kentucky finished the 2023–24 season with a 12–20 record, including 4–12 in the SEC. The Wildcats relieved head coach Kyra Elzy of her duties after their 12th place conference finish.

Two days after Tech’s loss in the Round of 32, it will begin a national coaching search. @CTSPORTSTALK

HOKIES LACROSSE TRAMPLED BY THE TIGERS

Thomas Bray | sports editor

Kayla Downey broke the program record for single-season assists on Saturday.

After winning the first game of their three-game road-stretch, Virginia Tech (8–5, 2–4) fell to Clemson 15–4. It was the Tigers’ (8–4, 1–3 ACC) first conference win of the season.

The first quarter went about as bad defensively as the Hokies could have envisioned. Clemson opened the game with a 5–0 run. Claire Bockstie scored two of those goals, including the opening goal.

With just over two minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Isa Torres ended the Clemson run. The freshman has come alive after an early-season injury. She has nine goals in her past four games.

The second quarter was again dominated by the Tigers. Marred by the 10–2 deficit heading into the break was Kayla Downey.

Downey broke the program single season assists record in 13 games. The Coastal Carolina transfer has a team-high 38 assists on the season, which is third nationally.

Downey hasn’t been in Blacksburg for as long as her childhood friend Olivia Vergano, but her single season is shaping up to be historic.

“I hope that she continues to shatter records and be a part of being not only one of our best players in program history, but my hope is that, you know, in our remaining six games left in the season, we can become one of the best teams in program history,”

said head coach Kristen Skiera after a 17–4 win over Longwood.

Ella Rishko and Paige Tyson found the back of the net late in the final quarter, but Clemson never lost control of the game.

The Tigers started fast and never took their foot off the gas in their 15–4 win.

The Hokies have a week before their final away game of the regular season. Their final three regular-season games will be at Thompson Field.

Virginia Tech travels to Chapel Hill on April 6 to play No. 15 North Carolina. The game will be available for viewing on ACC Network at noon.

EAVAN DRISCOLL / COLLEGIATE TIMES

The Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team huddles up after scoring against Queens to discuss their next plan of attack, Feb. 21, 2024.