On Thursday, Virginia Tech announced All-American center and three-time ACC Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitley will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.
“Elizabeth Kitley will not participate in the NCAA Tournament this year due to a lower leg injury that she suffered on March 3,” Tech head coach Kenny Brooks said. “We’re just praying for her and her mental health right now, and she’s still a part of what we do and she’s big in what we’ve done. My heart just goes out to her because everything that she’s done for this program and everything that she will continue to do through her legacy. So right now our prayers are just up for her.”
Kitley averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds through 29 games in 2023-24 before suffering a season-ending knee injury with 6:05 remaining in the third quarter of the regular-season finale at Virginia on March 3. On a play in transition, she came down awkwardly on her left leg after converting a layup. She stayed down before walking to the locker room under her own power.
Kitley was with the Hokies in Greensboro, N.C., for their two games in the ACC Tournament on March 8 and 9 but did not play. Tech kept quiet about her status and received a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, matched up against No. 13 seed Marshall in Blacksburg on Friday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
“The kid has put everything into this and she’s the reason we are here,” Brooks said. “She’s the reason we are here. If it weren’t for her and the way that she plays we would probably be somewhere else at a different venue instead of being able to host, instead of being able to say that we’re the ACC regular-season champions. The kid ate, slept, drank basketball, but everything Hokie basketball.”
Kitley won her third consecutive ACC Player of the Year award on March 5 and is now part of an elite club. She joined Duke’s Alana Beard (2001-04), Maryland’s Alyssa Thomas (2011-14), NC State’s David Thompson (1972-75) and Virginia’s Ralph Sampson (1980-83) as three-time winners. What’s more, she is a three-time winner of the ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The Summerfield, N.C., native owns numerous program records, including points, rebounds, field goals made, games started, minutes played, double-figure games and blocks. She led the Hokies to four NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons, along with an ACC Tournament title last season and a regular-season championship this year.
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“Liz is devastated, but she didn’t want everybody to feel sorry for her,” Brooks said. “She understands there’s more basketball to play. She’s doing everything she can right now so that she can be in the building tomorrow. They’re taking a cue from that.”
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So sorry to hear, and so sad for her to end her college career this way. But what a career! Truly amazing woman, athlete, teammate, and Hokie. So glad that Clara Strock learned from her, similar to the guards under Georgia Amore. If yesterday’s win is any indication our future remains bright. Excifor the incoming players and next year’s team. But first, they’ve still got business to take care of…Let’s Go!!!
What a wonderful career. She exemplified what college athletes should be and strive to be. Exceptionable in their sport, gifted in the classroom, an approachable person with humble parental upbringing. Great family support with a sister to always be her biggest fan and will always keep her understanding as to what is most important in life. I want the best for Liz and may this malady be just a bump in the road.
Such an impressive person and athlete. Hope she gets healthy quickly then has a nice playing career (or med school?)
Elizabeth Kitley – the best Hokie WBB player (so far). Congratulations on an unprecedented run and get better soon.
A true class act – after the physical beatings she has taken through the past few years she never reacted yet still produced. Can’t say I would have been that strong.
Best of luck Liz.
Liz is and has been a GREAT HOKIE. Further she is a wonderful person, excellent student and will be successful in whatever field she goes into. I know that CKB, his staff, the whole team will miss Liz’s spirit and play and will give a great effort. Win for Liz and let’s all continues to pray for Liz’s return to full good health. GO HOKIES!!!!!!!!
I’m on the verge of tears. She has been such a great ambassador for VA Tech, her team and for women’s basketball. I was so looking forward to seeing what this team could do in the tournament with Liz. I am now a big fan of women’s basketball, in large part because of Liz, Georgia and the rest of the team as well as Coach Brooks. I wish the very best for Liz in the future wherever it may lead her!
Liz will always be part of the heart and soul of VT athletics! Good luck to her In the WNBA.
Thanks for taking Hokie women’s Basketball to new heights! Hopefully, the team and fans will do you proud this weekend.
I feel terrible for both her and the team. They have all worked so hard and to have the season to end up the way it is has is heartbreaking. I hope they are able to pull together and make a run in the tourney
Terrible news! I’ve heard she is an even better person than bball player. Unfortunate.
Such a big loss. A classy person. One of the best to ever play any sport at VT
All time great Hokie!
Thanks, Liz – words can’t express what you’ve meant to Virginia Tech and the Hokie Nation. Take care.
I feel fortunate to have watched she and King play for the Hokies the last 5 years. It has been a wonderful experience and to see Liz develop.
Now I feel fortunate to also have Kenny as coach. He has had over 2 weeks to work witht he team without Liz. He has good players, some young, but with talent. Carys can hit the 3, Liv has been cleaning the boards, Clara has shown talent (Strack Attack), Wenzel has improved. There is Georgia to lead the way with King on D and a few 3s. I feel Kenny can find the combination to move this team through the tourney. I hope to see Liz on the bench cheering on the team, her spirit can lift them up.
GO HOKIES SHOW EVERYONE YOU ARE MORE THAN ONE PLAYER, YOU ARE A TEAM!!!
Liz Kitley, the basketball player, the person, the personality has brightened many lives, and not just Hokies. My heart is full and grateful in ways I didn’t fully appreciate until now. Her next chapter will be just as exceptional as she has been as a Hokie the last five years. Heck, I feel like Raven and her Mom and Dad are part of my own distant family…
I’m heartbroken and heartbroken for her.
Thank you Liz; One of the Best Ever to Grace the Cassell Court.
Sad for Kitley. Terrible for the team. She has been a tremendous asset to the University and a great representative.
Class act on and off the court. Maturity beyond her young age.
She is first class all the way and provided Hokie nation with unmeasurable Joy!!
Thank you Liz Kitley 🤗
UGH, we knew this was coming — so sorry for Liz to go out this way… clearly one of the best HOKIES EVER, regardless of the sport. An instant Hall-of-Fame member!!!!
A great athlete, a great scholar, and most of all – a wonderful person!!!
Praying for her mental health. Dang.
Life is waiting for Liz to step out and excel in whatever she decides is her path.
I think we all pretty much knew that. Prayers for Liz🙏
This hurts. We had a team that could have gone as far as possible with Liz…but it would be a shocker to even make the sweet 16 now
Dangit, life just isn’t fair sometimes. Thank you. Liz, so much, for everything! Godspeed in your recovery, and best of luck in whatever career you end choosing.