Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – When Carleigh Wenzel first visited Virginia Tech in 2021, she knew she had found the right fit. A highly touted prospect ranked 44th in her class, Wenzel wasted no time committing to the Hokies on the spot. Now, in her first season under head coach Megan Duffy, she’s proving that her decision was the right one.
Before joining the Hokies, Wenzel had already built an impressive resume in San Antonio, Texas. At O’Connor High School, she scored over 1,000 points in just two seasons, earning accolades like Express-News Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and Offensive MVP the following year. When she transferred to Antonian College Preparatory, her game only grew stronger. By the time she graduated, she poured in another 1,500 points and collected honors including TAPPS All-State, TABC All-Region and a spot on the San Antonio Express-News Super Team.
Now standing 6 feet tall, Wenzel’s physical gifts and versatility on the court have become trademarks of her game. She’s a natural guard, but her size and speed allow her to excel both on and off the ball. Whether she’s using her length to disrupt opponents or her quickness to drive the lane, Wenzel is a matchup problem for just about anyone.
Her redshirt freshman season offered glimpses of what she’s capable of. She scored 11 points in the Ally Tipoff and scored in double figures three more times. At the end of the season, in the NCAA tournament, she accumulated a stat line of 12 points, six rebounds and seven assists against Marshall, followed by a strong showing against Baylor. Though she played behind Virginia Tech’s starting guards early on, Wenzel’s growth under head coach Megan Duffy has been promising.
This season, she’s stepped into a bigger role, and her potential is becoming a reality. Wenzel, the starting point guard, has delivered double figure scoring performance in eight of 10 games this season and is the Hokies’ leading scorer at 14.0 points per game. She recorded her career-high in a bounce back win over UNC Asheville in November scoring 25 points. Her average is up from 4.2 points per game last season, while her rebounding and assist figures have also taken a jump.
As her role continues to grow, so does her impact. Wenzel’s ability to make plays on both ends of the court—and her consistent performance in crucial moments—have made her an integral part of the Hokies’ success. Next, the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team takes on Radford at home this Saturday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. ET as part of an exciting doubleheader day at Cassell Coliseum. Don’t miss your chance to see Wenzel in action and cheer on the Hokies!