Changing of the (Cassell) Guard: How one former member reflects on the past and prepares for the future of women’s basketball

BLACKSBURG – For many fans of Virginia Tech Women’s Basketball, household names such as Elizabeth Kitley and Cayla King spur memories of raucous sold-out crowds and a sea of maroon and orange in Cassell Coliseum. Or maybe it’s Carleigh Wenzel and Carys Baker, two powerhouses from the current iteration of the group, who are driving in swarms of fans both new and old to find their seats on gameday.  

Some supporters of the team, however, remember a time when the excitement and steadfast attendance of Hokie fans wasn’t always promised. Yet, even in the days of less-than-satisfactory attendance at Cassell, it was evident that something was beginning to happen.  

“We couldn’t get most people to show up to games,” said Taylor Zelman, who graduated from Virginia Tech in 2019. “[But] you could tell that the program was on an upward trajectory.” 

Zelman was a prominent member of the Cassell Guard Executive Board for two of her four years in Blacksburg. Known for its larger-than-life presence, undeniably authentic enthusiasm and passion for the game of basketball, the student-run organization has been responsible for filling up the seats at almost every home basketball game since 2009. The group’s energy has oftentimes been a key factor in games that go down to the wire on the hardwood.  

When asked about her favorite memory of Virginia Tech women’s basketball, Zelman referenced her experience as a member of Cassell Guard cheering on the Hokies as they faced the then-No. 2 Louisville Cardinals in the 2019 season. The Cardinals, who entered the game with just one loss over 23 games, had to fight tooth and nail in order to secure a victory over the Hokies. 

It was her fellow Cassell Guard members, said Zelman, that affected the neck-and-neck game through its four quarters. 

“You could tell that our small but mighty contingent of people screaming was making a difference,” said Zelman. “The game went down to the last few minutes, which was a really big deal at the time.” 

Zelman first developed an affinity for basketball by watching Tech take the court as a child on television. Vivid experiences of watching games like Tech men’s basketball victory over then-No. 1 Duke in 2011 were pivotal as the future Hokie began to love not just basketball, but all Tech sports. 

“My whole family went to Tech, so I always watched [the games] growing up, and then I just loved everything Tech sports,” said Zelman. “When I was in college, I went to soccer games, wrestling, went to some volleyball games...when I was a freshman, I went to every basketball game.” 

The affinity for Tech sports took on an entirely different meaning after reconnecting with a high school classmate that was involved with Cassell Guard. After learning about the program at the tail end of her sophomore year, Zelman joined and became a participating member as a junior.  

While the former Cassell Guard Executive Board member crossed the stage six years ago, Zelman is just as passionate about the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team now as she was in Blacksburg.  

“You really want to root for the players because, [while] I don’t know any of them, they all seem like really great people,” said Zelman. “As the fan base has grown, and has women’s basketball has grown, the fans are really, really supportive.” 

Zelman saw firsthand the growth of the women’s basketball program through the eyes of the Cassell Guard. From humble beginnings to Blacksburg royalty, the illustrious campus enterprise has seen exponential growth alongside a plethora of passionate students at the games. As the team enters its second season with head coach Megan Duffy at the helm, the former Hokie encourages students to show up as the team embarks on the 2025 campaign.  

“Continue to support,” asserted Zelman. “That fan support can really be the difference between winning and losing a game.” 

50 Seasons of Women’s Basketball 

The 2025-26 season of Virginia Tech women’s basketball marks the 50th season in which the program has electrified Cassell Coliseum! Be sure to celebrate this momentous achievement by securing a 50 Seasons Celebration Pack, complete with two commemorative glasses and two tickets, for the anniversary celebration on Feb. 1, 2026, against Virginia. For more information on the season-long festivities, visit the 50 Seasons of Women’s Basketball website.