After scoring in double figures her first three games of the 2022-23 season and already owning two double-doubles, reigning ACC Player of the Year and preseason All-American Elizabeth Kitley is off to a hot start this year and is on pace to earn those honors once again.
However, Kitley is the first to admit that her long list of accolades did not happen overnight.
How It Started
Kitley began playing basketball in high school, but she didn't always gravitate toward the court. She played several sports, most prominently softball, so when coach Tom King (current teammate Cayla King's father) approached Kitley with a basketball jersey – essentially recruiting her to the team – she was terrified. But, eventually, the idea grew on her. And soon after, her talent caught the eye of Virginia Tech women's basketball head coach Kenny Brooks.
According to Kitley, not only does Coach Brooks know how to recruit, specifically transfers Ashley Owusu and Taylor Soule, but he knows how to work individually with players to achieve their potentials.
"He just completely changed how I played," Kitley said. "The challenge was even greater for him, because I didn't even play my senior year in high school, because I tore my ACL. I came here not having played in a year."
Kitley remembers being nervous to come to college after losing the opportunity to grow during her senior year. But, in her eyes, everything worked out and she learned to appreciate the sport more.
And, as for Kitley's progress, she jokes about her pre-college highlight reel, acknowledging her immense growth since her junior year of high school.
Becoming a Team
Kitley doesn't need a highlight reel to prove her progress.
She's already earned her spot with numerous accolades over the years, beginning with the 2019-20 ACC Freshman of the Year award to her name and most recently becoming the first-ever Hokie to earn Preseason AP All-America. Kitley wears No. 33 proudly.
Kitley's response?
"I'm not waiting for this list to come out," Kitley said. "I have no idea when that stuff is happening, and when it does, it's nice to be recognized. But mainly because it brings more attention to Virginia Tech and our program."
Women's basketball has seen plenty of attention preseason. Along with Kitley, teammates Cayla King, Owusu and Soule all earned spots on numerous watch lists. The home opener against Mount St. Mary's also brought in 2,104 fans, marking the highest number of attendees at the program's home opener since 2016.
Kitley credits Brooks and her teammates with the program's success and praises his care for the team. When Coach Brooks saw Kitley's talent, he didn't just recruit Kitley – he recruited her whole family.
Kitley's sister Raven is her best friend. Raven also has autism. Brooks made sure Raven had a lanyard at basketball games and the program hosted an autism awareness game last year.
"It just made her year – made her life probably," Kitley said. "That's just really cool and also goes back to show how special the program is. I know Coach Brooks and everyone would know how much that would mean to me, because it's something that I hold very close to my heart. For them to recognize her and take her out on the court, it shows how much they care for me and my family, and not just from a basketball point of view."
New Season, New Chapter
Though Kitley praises her sister for the fresh perspective that she's given her on life, Kitley also inspires young women in the field.
Kitley frequently receives direct messages on social media from young women in middle school and high school that ask for advice as they try out for their school's basketball teams.
"It's just really important for girls, especially girls in sports, to have other women to look up to, because, obviously, all of the big faces – most of the big faces – in sports are men," Kitley said. "So, to keep them encouraged within their sport and keep them passionate about it … it is really cool to be able to be a source of that."
Kitley has also found an unmatched sense of community and rhythm on the court with her teammates. Kitley reflects on the difference between this season and previous seasons, noting that usually the team's only new members are freshmen. But with transfers, every team and year means a new chapter and team dynamic.
Though the program is shifting, it's shifting for the better. With this year's newest members bringing attention to the program and Coach Brooks making the environment fun and relaxed, the Hokies are in for an unforgettable season in Cassell.
Writing HERstory Campaign
Coinciding with Women's History Month in March and the 50th anniversary of Title IX, Virginia Tech Athletics launched a multi-platform brand campaign celebrating the incredible achievements of its female student-athletes, both past and present, while inspiring the next generation of women who aspire to achieve their dreams through athletics. In partnership with Truist, Tech will share stories of its past and current female student-athletes over the course of the calendar year. Ranging from podcast interviews to feature stories and more, the incredible moments and achievements by women over the years in Virginia Tech Athletics will be celebrated.
Pledge Per Three
Support Elizabeth Kitley and the rest of her teammates by making a pledge per 3-point shot made for Virginia Tech women's basketball.