CELEBRATING 50 SEASONS OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CELEBRATING 50. FOCUSED ON FOREVER.
Virginia Tech Athletics is set to celebrate 50 seasons of varsity women’s basketball in Blacksburg in 2025-26. Throughout the season, the program will recognize the people, stories and milestones that have defined its legacy, culminating in our 50 seasons of women’s basketball celebration this winter.
“Celebrating 50 seasons of Virginia Tech women’s basketball is a proud moment for our entire Hokie community,” Director of Athletics Whit Babcock said. “This milestone honors the generations of student-athletes, coaches, and supporters who have laid the foundation for one of the most respected programs in the country. It’s a testament to the growth of women’s sports at Virginia Tech and a reflection of our commitment to excellence, and tradition. We look forward to building on this legacy for the next 50 years and beyond.”
The celebration of 50 seasons of Hokie women's basketball will culminate in a weekend of activities surrounding the February 1 matchup against rival Virginia.
“Virginia Tech women’s basketball is built on the foundation of those that came before us,” said Head Coach Megan Duffy. “Fifty seasons is an extraordinary milestone, shaped by the players and teams that have had an incredible impact on the Hokie community. We always play for the name on the front of the jersey, and this anniversary makes that connection even more meaningful. I am looking forward to celebrating our Hokie women’s basketball alumni and honoring their legacy throughout this special season.”
Since the program’s first season in 1976-77, the Hokies have won over 800 games, reached the postseason 21 times, sent numerous athletes to the professional ranks, claimed six conference titles and reached the 2023 Final Four. But more than that, the women’s basketball program has united a community and inspired generations of young women.
50 FOR 50: SUPPORT THE NEXT 50 SEASONS OF HOKIE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Join us in fueling the next 50 years of success of Hokie women’s basketball through our 50 for 50 campaign. Every gift makes a difference and thanks to a generous match, all contributions made between October 1-March 1 will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000.
Then.Now.Always.
The tagline “Then. Now. Always." perfectly captures the enduring spirit and legacy of Virginia Tech women’s basketball as it celebrates 50 seasons. "Then" honors the pioneers and trailblazers who laid the foundation, overcame challenges and helped usher in a new era. "Now" celebrates the current team’s passion, dedication, and pursuit of excellence on the court while inspiring belief in the next generation of young women off of it. And "Always" reflects the unbreakable bond between the program, its players, and its unwavering fans — a commitment to community, and Hokie pride that transcends time. Together, these words remind us that Virginia Tech women’s basketball is not just a moment in history but a continuous journey filled with pride and perseverance, forever connected through the women who have helped shape the game and our fans who have rallied behind us.
JUST GETTING STARTED
The Virginia Tech women’s basketball program transitioned from club status to full varsity status in 1976-77, head coach John Wetzel lead its inaugural varsity season. After Carolyn Owen coached the team in 1977-78, Carol Alfano took over in 1978 and propelled the program to several winning seasons providing stability for the Hokies for 18 years.
Among the standout players of that era was Renee Dennis (1983-1987), who graduated as Tech’s all-time leading scorer, was a first-team All-Metro Conference selection in her junior and senior years, and in 1987 became the first women’s hooper at Virginia Tech to have her jersey retired. Robin Lee (class of 1985) also suited up during this time, becoming the first woman in program history to record 1,000 career points. She is also a Virginia Tech Hall of Famer.
THE 90'S AND EARLY 2000'S
Through the 1990s into the early 2000s, Virginia Tech’s women’s basketball grew into a consistent winner and gained national respect. Under coach Carol Alfano, the Hokies had breakout seasons in 1993–94 (24-6) and 1994–95 (22-9), capturing their first Metro Conference tournament title in 1994 and making their first two NCAA Tournament appearances, in 1994 and 1995. In 1998 and 1999, now under Bonnie Henrickson, they posted strong records — 1998: 22-10, 1999: 28-3 — and in 1999 reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
Notable athletes during this era include Hall of Famers Jenny Root (1995), Christi Osborne (1995), Lisa Witherspoon Hansen (1999), Tere Williams (2001), Amy Wetzel Doolan (2001), Ieva Kublina (2004), Kerri Gardin (2006) and Carrie Mason (2006).
The early 2000s saw continued NCAA appearances (2001, 2003, 2004), maintaining winning seasons under Henrickson. These years marked Virginia Tech’s rise from regional competitor to an NCAA regular, achieving both conference tournament success as well as expanding its national profile.
The Hokies captured the 1995 Metro Conference regular season title, as well as the 1998 A-10 Tournament championship as well as sharing the regular season honors in 1999.
Tere Williams became the program’s first ever WNBA Draft pick with her selection in the third round in 2001 to the Phoenix Mercury.
THE MARCH TO THE MOUNTAINTOP
During the 2010s, Virginia Tech women’s basketball saw periods of rebuilding followed by steady growth. In the same era they made multiple postseason appearances deep WNIT runs before returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years in 2021. That sparked a stretch of four consecutive seasons in the competition tying a program record for the longest streak of consecutive NCAA appearances.
Among the standout players of this period were Regan Magarity (WNBA Draft pick), Taylor Emery (program's leader in points per game), Aisha Sheppard (ACC's all-time leader in 3's), Georgia Amoore (program's leader in assists) and Elizabeth Kitley, the program's most decorated player holding several school and ACC records. Her iconic number 33 jersey was retired in 2025, just one year after her graduation.
The crowning milestone of this period was in 2023, when Virginia Tech made its first‐ever Final Four appearance in the NCAA Tournament, after defeating Ohio State in the Elite Eight. The Hokies were also a one seed for the first time, won the ACC Tournament and ended the season on an unprecedented 10-game winning streak in ACC play.
Overall, these years set the stage for VT to transform into one of the most visible women's basketball programs in the country.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
On April 3, 2024 the program welcomed its eighth head coach Megan Duffy to Blacksburg. A proven winner who is committed to continuing the momentum of women's basketball not just in Blacksburg, but nationally.
In her first season, she guided the Hokies to a top-eight finish in the ACC, the first VT head coach to do so in their initial campaign at the helm. The Hokies won 19 games, including one ranked win at previously unbeaten Georgia Tech in double OT in January.
Hokie Nation showed out for a clash against Louisville, which the Hokies won on a day that also served as the culmination of a celebratory weekend as legend Elizabeth Kitley had her number 33 jersey retired in front of a sellout crowd.
As Coach Duffy and her program enter their second year, they stand poised to build on the strong foundation laid in year's past and in her inaugural year. With a clear vision and unwavering commitment, Duffy and her team are attacking their goals with focus, intensity and passion.