BLACKSBURG – Six Virginia Tech student-athletes earned Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Academic All-State recognition, as announced by the organization Wednesday.
Ryan Fishback (men's tennis), Elizabeth Kitley (women's basketball), Rebecca Mammel (women's track and field), Sarah Shackelford (women's swimming and diving), Jordan Tilley (women's lacrosse) and Kobe Valociek (men's golf) were among the 214 student-athletes across 36 schools recognized. Honorees must have a grade point average of at least 3.25 and be a sophomore or higher.
Fishback, a junior studying Biochemistry, earned VaSID Academic All-State honors for the second straight season in men's tennis. The Geneva, N.Y., native was named to the All-ACC Academic Team for the second time in his career, while securing the NCAA's Elite 90 award, which recognizes the competitor at each NCAA Championship with the highest GPA, for the second straight year. The 2023 Arthur Ashe Leadership Award winner was awarded All-ACC second team recognition in both singles and doubles, and was selected to the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, advancing to the Round of 32 in singles. Fishback was honored as a First-Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators (CSC) in 2023.
Kitley, a Human Nutrition, Foods & Exercise major, was named the ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year in women's basketball for the second year in a row this past March. That honor accompanied a spot on the All-ACC Academic team and a multitude of on-court honors. The Summerfield, N.C., native was named the ACC Player of the Year for the second straight season, while becoming a Second-Team Associated Press All-American. In addition to leading the Hokies to their first ACC tournament title and Final Four appearance in 2023, Kitley became the program's all-time leader in points, field goals, blocks and double-doubles.
Mammel, who graduated in May with a degree in human nutrition, foods and exercise, earned the nod after making the All-ACC academic team for both indoor and outdoor. She was the 2023 USTFCCCA Southeast Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year after capturing an ACC title in the weight throw and setting a meet record in the same event. The Tecumseh, Mich., native placed seventh at indoor nationals to earn First-Team All-America honors. Mammel backed up her indoor season by winning the hammer at the ACC outdoor championships.
Shackelford, a biomedical science major, concluded her collegiate career with three All-America honorable mention accolades as part of three relay teams for women's swimming and diving. She was part of the 200 free relay that broke the school record in the event in March, clocking a 1:27.89 at the NCAA Championships. A native of Burke, Va., Shackelford was one of three Hokies selected as 2023 Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship Award recipients.
Tilley, a graduate student that earned her master's degree in public health in May, was a four-time ACC Academic Honor Roll member in women's lacrosse. Starting in all 19 games, Tilley racked up 31 ground balls and 24 caused turnovers in her final season as a Hokie. The Baltimore, Md., native was selected to the All-ACC Academic Team following the season. A three-time captain, Tilley finished as the program's all-time leader in games played.
Valociek, a junior majoring in management, finished second on the men's golf team with a 72.97 scoring average. He recorded two top-20 showings, includinga tie for fourth at the Battle at Briar's Creek with a 3-under 213. The Peoria, Ariz., native finished three tournaments in red figures and was named to the All-ACC Academic Team.
Virginia Tech
Ryan Fishback, Jr., Geneva, N.Y., Biochemistry, Men's Tennis
Elizabeth Kitley, Sr., Summerfield, N.C., Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Women's Basketball
Rebecca Mammel, Sr., Tecumseh, Mich., Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Women's Track and Field
Sarah Shackelford, Sr., Burke, Va., Biomedical Science, Women's Swimming and Diving
Jordan Tilley, Gr., Baltimore, Md., Public Health, Women's Lacrosse
Kobe Valociek, Jr., Peoria, Ariz., Management, Men's Golf