Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Heading into its first postseason run under head coach Megan Duffy, Virginia Tech women’s basketball opens the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) against North Carolina A&T. The Hokies and Aggies will tip off at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET. Grab your tickets today for only $17.
Coach Duffy and the program enter the matchup boasting an 11-5 record at home and a No. 1 seed in the WBIT bracket. In her first year at the helm, the Hokies notched a conference victory over a ranked team, defeating then-No. 13 Georgia Tech on the road, and a .500 record against the ACC. The program will aim to lean on its chemistry, hard-nosed mentality and toughness to set the tone early. Guard Carleigh Wenzel will play a significant role in tone-setting with her downhill offensive mindset and intensity on defense. The redshirt sophomore leads the charge, averaging 14.5 points per game while adding 3.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Wenzel’s growth under coach Duffy’s tutelage is apparent with recent praise from ACC Network’s ‘Nothing But Net’ crew naming her the conference’s Most Improved Player of the Year.
Wenzel is accompanied by forward Carys Baker and veteran wing Matilda Ekh as the only players to start in all 30 games this season. A true sophomore with good versatility, Baker is a threat beyond the arc, shooting a team second-best 42% from 3. While averaging the most minutes per game (34.2), she manages to make a consistent impact on both sides of the floor while posting 12.7 points. Baker is tied for the most blocks on the team with 23 and cleans up the glass with 6.4 rebounds per contest. Ekh provides good leadership with valuable postseason experience and production after scoring 21 points against Marshall in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Swedish senior is a sharpshooter from deep, recording the highest total (61) of 3-pointers made, coupled with a 40% clip beyond the arc. Ekh produces 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists, playing in both guard and forward spots.
Joining the three starters averaging double-digit points mentioned above is forward Rose Micheaux. The Wayne, Michigan native is a strong presence in the paint, averaging 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and scoring at an efficient rate (58% FG). As a senior leader, Micheaux will play an essential role in establishing the Hokies’ defensive presence against the Aggies. Guards Lani White and Mackenzie Nelson also provide great command of the offense. White has started 29 games in her own right, adding 9.3 points per contest, and Nelson is a great spark off the bench that leads the team in steals, supported by a solid stat line of 5.9 points, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals.
Looking at Tech’s opponent, the focus shifts to the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), which Coach Duffy has three wins against this season (Campbell, Elon and UNC Wilmington). North Carolina A&T is an HBCU program that found plenty of success against CAA competition, posting a 15-3 record and an outright regular season title. The Aggies are led by reigning CAA Coach of the Year Tarrell Robinson. Following the regular season, Robinson and Co. earned the No. 1 seed in their conference tournament but fell short to ninth-seeded William & Mary in the quarterfinals. Both programs earned victories in their regular season finale and are searching for redemption after one-and-done appearances in the conference tournaments.
North Carolina A&T is powered by guard Jordyn Dorsey, who leads the team in points, assists and steals. In her senior season, Dorsey averaged 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists en route to an All-CAA First Team recognition and CAA All-Defensive Team selection. Rounding out the backcourt is graduate student Maleia Bracone, whose 10.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest resulted in All-CAA Third Team honors. Joining Bracone on the All-CAA Third Team is the team’s starting center, Chaniya Clark. Standing at 6-foot-4, Clark is a major presence in the frontcourt, averaging 9.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Sophomore forward Paris Locke is another Aggie to keep an eye on at the forward position who posts 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds.
Overall, Coach Duffy and the staff will have a good litmus test to begin its run in WBIT. If the Hokies are able to finish Thursday evening with a victory, they will move on to host the winner of the Wyoming (22-11) and Texas Tech (17-17) matchup. Tickets are still available for Tech’s first-round contest, and your presence could make all the difference. Grab your seats and help cheer on the Hokies!