Hokie ClubAva Martin
Defender
Spotsylvania, Va.
Liberty University Online Academy
Virginia Tech women’s soccer has signed Ava Martin to the 2027 recruiting class. Martin, a defender from Spotsylvania, Va., played club soccer with Richmond United ECNL. She was named to the All-Mid-Atlantic Conference First Team twice and her team advanced to the 2023 ECNL Final Four and 2025 ECNL Elite Eight.
Why did you choose Virginia Tech? I chose Virginia Tech because I felt that the coaches genuinely cared about me as both a player and a person. I also loved the positive culture and sense of community surrounding the program. Playing in the ACC has always been a dream of mine, and I knew VT would provide me with the opportunity to compete and grow at the highest level.
What was your favorite thing about your visit? My favorite thing about my visit was meeting the other girls in my class as well as the current players. Experiencing their pregame locker room was a lot of fun and made me even more excited for next year. I also really enjoyed hanging out with everyone in the dorms, listening to their stories, and just walking around campus to get a feel for what life at VT will be like.
What excites you the most about being part of Virginia Tech women’s soccer? What excites me the most is the high level of competition and being part of an environment where everyone is pushing each other to get better, raising the standard, and working toward the same goals. I also love how close everyone on the team seems, and I can’t wait to be part of that sisterhood and build those relationships both on and off the field.
What are your soccer strengths? My biggest strengths on the soccer field are my decision-making and composure on the ball, allowing me to stay calm under pressure and read the game as a center back. I am also strong in 1v1 defending and can use my speed and physicality to shut down opposing attackers.
Who is your favorite pro player and why? My favorite pro player is Naomi Girma. With the ball, I admire her composure and ability to distribute the ball out of the back. Without the ball, her 1v1 defending and timing of when to tackle are really impressive. She also demonstrates great leadership and communication on the field.
What do you plan on majoring in? I plan on majoring in Exercise and Health Sciences.
What is one thing you want Virginia Tech fans to know about you? One thing I want Virginia Tech fans to know about me is that my faith is a huge part of my life. I believe God gave me the opportunity to play at Virginia Tech, and I can’t wait to be a Hokie!