BLACKSBURG – The ACC announced the 2019-20 women's basketball slate Wednesday morning with the Hokies beginning the campaign on Sunday, December 29 at Florida State. Tech's first home league contest at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum is set for Sunday, January 5 against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
For the first time since the 2012-13 season, the league will play 18 conference games. In the new format, each ACC program is in a "pod" or group of five teams which they will each play twice annually. The Hokies' pod consists of Virginia, Duke, NC State and North Carolina.
The Hokies will be shown on RSN five times this season; at Florida State, at Duke, vs Clemson, at North Carolina and at Notre Dame.
The ACC Network has picked up four games; both Virginia contests, at Syracuse and at Louisville. All other league home games will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
Tech went 6-10 in league play a season ago and earned the 10-seed in the ACC tournament before advancing to the second round of that competition and ending the season in the Sweet Sixteen of the WNIT. The Hokies were involved in a number of close ball games, with seven of their regular season ACC losses coming by single digits.
This season will feature a new look Virginia Tech squad, with seven newcomers on the roster and just four players with playing experience in maroon and orange. The team does return All-Freshman Team member Dara Mabrey, who set the program's single season record with 80 3-pointers while shooting at a 46.2% clip, the third best nationally.
Senior Kendyl Brooks and juniors Aisha Sheppard and Trinity Baptiste also return, with Brooks and Sheppard both in the top 10 all-time in 3-pointers made already. Brooks' 160 rank fourth and Sheppard's 135 are good for eighth. Baptiste, a forward averaged 10.4 points and 7.6 rebounds a season ago. Her 85.6% mark from the free throw line led the team and helped the Hokies lead the nation at 80% from the stripe last season.
Tech's complete 2019-20 ACC schedule
Sun. Dec. 29 @ Florida State 2 PM
Thurs. Jan. 2 @ NC State 7 PM
Sun. Jan. 5 vs North Carolina 2 PM
Thurs. Jan. 9 vs Pitt 7 PM
Sun. Jan. 12 @ Duke 3 PM
Sun. Jan. 19 @ Virginia 3 PM
Thurs. Jan. 23 vs Boston College 7 PM
Sun. Jan. 26 vs Clemson 1 PM
Thurs. Jan. 30 @ Syracuse 8:30 PM
Sun. Feb. 2 vs Miami 2 PM
Thurs. Feb. 6 vs NC State 7 PM
Sun. Feb. 9 @ North Carolina 2 PM
Thurs. Feb. 13 vs Georgia Tech 7 PM
Sun. Feb. 16 @ Wake Forest 1 PM
Thurs. Feb. 20 @ Notre Dame 8:30 PM
Sun. Feb. 23 vs Virginia 2 PM
Thurs. Feb. 27 vs Duke 7 PM
Sun. March 1 @ Louisville 12 PM