Three members of the Virginia Tech women's basketball program were recognized by Virginia's Sports Information Directors, VaSID Thursday afternoon with center Elizabeth Kitley earning Player of the Year honors, Kenny Brooks taking home Coach of the Year and Aisha Sheppard also making the state's First Team.
The 6-foot-5 Kitley turned in one of the best individual seasons a Hokie has produced in 2020-21, a season where she led the team in scoring and rebounding. The Summerfield, North Carolina native started all 25 games, scoring 18.2 points per game, and grabbing 10.4 rebounds while collecting an ACC-high 13 double-doubles. She was amongst the league leaders in points, rebounds, field goal percentage (.531), blocks (47) and free throws (92).
She was the only ACC athlete to register two 30-point scoring games this season and was one of two players to record a 20-rebound game, which she did in a contest vs. Wake Forest where she tied a school record with 21.
In addition to being a unanimous First Team All-ACC selection, Kitley was named a top five finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award, honoring the nation's top center.
She recently participated in USA Basketball Women's AmeriCup Team trials at the University of South Carolina.
Coach Brooks guided the Hokies back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 seasons where Tech advanced into the Second Round after defeating Marquette 70-63 on the first day of competition. Virginia Tech finished the season 15-10 and accomplished multiple feats during the season including; the program's best ever victory in defeating No. 2 NC State, a six-game ACC winning streak and placing two student-athletes on the ACC's First Team for the first time in program history.
Sheppard had a historic year herself, earning All-American honors, the first Hokie since 1999 to do so. She was one of the top 3-point shooters in the nation, connecting on 87, breaking her own single season school record, and vaulting herself to first all-time in a maroon and orange uniform in that category.
She averaged over 17 points per game and scored better than 20 nine times.
In addition to her scoring, Sheppard had a career season in other categories, providing 3.0 assists per game and upping her presence at the free throw line in terms of attempts and percentage.
The entire list of VaSID honorees is below which includes Emily Lytle, a Virginia Tech signee who competed for Liberty this past season. Lytle, a 5-foot-11 guard/forward from Memphis, led the Flames to a 19-8 record in 2020-21, earning First Team All-Conference honors after averaging 14.7 points per game and 5.0 rebounds, both career highs.
2021 VaSID honorees
Player of the Year
Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech
Defensive Player of the Year
Akila Smith, Longwood
Rookie of the Year
Addie Budnik, Richmond
Coach of the Year
Kenny Brooks, Virginia Tech
First Team
Kiki Jefferson, James Madison
Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech
Kyla McMakin, Longwood
Aisha Sheppard, Virginia Tech
Akila Smith, Longwood
Second Team
Kate Klimkiewicz, Richmond
Emily Lytle, Liberty
Taya Robinson, VCU
Ajah Wayne, Old Dominion
Amari Young, Old Dominion