22 North Carolina 61-59 on Thursday night. Elizabeth Kitley hit the game-winner over the Tar Heels on Thursday night. [11] Kitley averaged 18.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore, earning first-team All-ACC honors. He was the first recruit to sign with new Demon Deacons coach Bob Staak, who had turned around the Xavier program before tackling the challenge of winning in Winston-Salem. But when she arrived in Blacksburg, from her hometown in Greensboro, North Carolina, the raw recruit wasnt what the polished junior is now. Kitley is one of seven people being inducted into the Salisbury Rowan Sports Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2015. Tallied six double-doubles on the season. 0 . King assured Ralph that Elizabeths future was in basketball. We have to keep working., Would like to see more articles on WBB like this one this season on this board. Kelly led the team in points (18) and assists (6). Hes reconnected with old places and old faces from his nights as a mid-1980s North Rowan star. Note that player cards are only available to annual subscribers. Her basketball career is certain to extend past college if thats the direction she chooses. She scores 27 points in her first game, Kitley said with a chuckle. In a game where Tech tied a season-high 20 turnovers, UNC frustrated point guard Georgia Amoore. 2023 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Those back issues would plague him at Wake Forest. (Virginia Tech athletics) On the same night, Elizabeth Kitley became the all-time leading scorer in Virginia Tech women's basketball history and hit a buzzer-beater to lift the No. And Kitley had eight in the fourth. All Hokie, All the Time. She was diagnosed around middle school, but I dont know if I ever really understood it honestly until eighth or ninth grade, Elizabeth Kitley said. Elizabeth is pursuing a degree in human nutrition, foods, and exercise within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Like any member of a team, Raven knows the players very well, particularly Cayla King, who was a high school teammate of Elizabeths at Northwest Guilford. TSL) is an independent publication that is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Virginia Tech or the Virginia Tech Athletic Department. Elizabeth took 24 hours to call every coach that recruited her to let them know her decision and to thank them, Kitley said. To Kitley, individual accolades dont matter as much as team success does. Title Author Date ; Chastain, 2027, Chooses Tennessee: Brandon Clay : 2023-01-25 15:45 : Watch List - 2026 He made All-State teams. If you want to get the scoop on Elizabeth Kitley then you'll need to sign up for the Prospects Nation Yearly Platinum Membership. Her father is happy about moving farther out, because when she stays in the low block, she gets double-teamed, knocked around, beaten up. REPORT YOUR COMMITMENT TO commit@prospectsnation.com. Game over. Elizabeth Kitley gets the lay-in to fall vs. Miami Hurricanes, NC State Wolfpack vs. Virginia Tech Hokies: Full Highlights, Elizabeth Kitley denies NC State Wolfpack with block. Scored a season-high 27 points in her collegiate debut in Tech's blowout victory over Saint Francis. The immense hard work that you have put in is most appreciated. Kitley averaged 17.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game while recording a . He recruited Raven almost as hard as he did Elizabeth. Its cool to see her with other people that she feels get her, Elizabeth said. He ran miles and jumped rope as her prepared for his sophomore season with the North Rowan Cavaliers. Virginia Tech Sports File Photo Father played basketball at Wake Forest University (1986-90) and professionally in Germany. Both tall blondes are from the town of Summerfield, north of Greensboro. Kitley had more fouls (47) than points (42), but he showed promise in a late-season game against N.C. State. Ralph Kitley travels almost to every game, often with Raven in tow. Raven is autistic, and she owns that. Elizabeth Kitley entered the 2022-2023 season as a preseason All-America pick and the ACC preseason Player of the Year. Cant say enough good things about this team. To see it highlighted was special for Raven, and you could see the emotion on Elizabeths face. All original material and images are copyrighted by TechSideline.com and may not be reused or reprinted without permission. She received third-team All-American recognition from the AP and United States Basketball Writers Association and was a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-America team. The On3 Industry Ranking is the industry's most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement. She spent this past offseason at a USA Basketball camp, where she worked on breaking out of double teams and using her vision to find an open teammate something she admits she struggled with her first two years. She led the conference in rebounding, defensive rebounds and blocks per game this season. Amoore did not have a good game- Turnovers, bad shooting. Virginia Tech is 14-4 overall and 6-1 and in second place in the ACC. [8] On December 4, 2020, she posted a sophomore season-high 30 points and 11 rebounds in an 8459 win against Appalachian State. Weve pretty much always been that way. Shes my sister. [16], Kitley's father, Ralph, played professional basketball in Germany and Brazil following a college career at Wake Forest. We went to another school, and we went into the lobby to sign Elizabeth in, said Ralph Kitley, a former player at Wake Forest. Elizabeth thought she had let me down by not going to Wake Forest, but that wasnt the case, at all. Follow @ChrisHansenPSB 2 NC State with a 83-71 overtime win in late January. In a tie game at 59 with 2.1 remaining, Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks called timeout after UNCs Alyssa Ustby missed the second of two free throws. The opinions of the author(s) on this site are independent and no way reflect the opinions of the Virginia Tech administrators, coaches, staff, or athletes. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Access to schools of interest lists on numerous prospects. Before tipoff, Brooks brought Raven out to halfcourt for a special presentation. With her Player of the Year Award comes a third First Team All-ACC nod, the most in program history. And were winning on a last second shot because shes so clutch. [1] As a sophomore, Kitley led Northwest Guilford to its first state championship at the 4A tournament and was named most valuable player (MVP) of the title game. Week In Review -- A regular recap of the recruiting headlines from across the country to keep you up to speed. The Hokies won the game and achieved an even higher purpose. 0:17; Elizabeth Kitley fights off defender for and-1. 3 seed of the ACC tournament with the win. But Im confident in my game and that Ill continue to improve and become a true leader for my team.. She has one more year before that decision needs to be made. Her AAU coach, the father of Kitleys high school and current collegiate teammate Cayla King, Tom, plucked her from the other two sports she grew up playing, volleyball and softball. Born on Sept. 17, Kitley is the daughter of Ralph and Loretta Kitley. Following surgery, she was sidelined until the final two games of the season. Previously, Elizabeth was a Subsecretara De Prevencin Del Delito Y La Violencia - Secretara De Seguridad at Ministerio de Seguridad de la Repblica Argentina and also held . Her experience and veteran leadership, too, is needed if Tech makes a run in either tournament. 9 Virginia Tech (23-4, 13-4 ACC), 61-59, in Carmichael Arena on . Hokies guard Georgia Amoore joined her on the first team, while teammate Taylor Soule, a forward, made the . She earned All-America nods and dropped 42 points in Virginia Tech's lone NCAA Tournament game. Shes taught me what its like to be around people that are living with autism. We were just out of sorts, so to speak, Brooks said. Her AAU coach, the father of Kitleys high school and current collegiate teammate Cayla King, Tom, plucked her from the other two sports she grew up playing, volleyball and softball. But Tech responded. Coming out of high school, Kitley was a five-star prospect and a two-time state champion at Northwest Guilford High School. Brooks and Raven bonded quickly when Brooks visited the Kitleys home in Summerfield, North Carolina, so much so that Brooks gave her his phone number and the two started conversing regularly. But it was 18-of-33 (55%) on 2-point shots and made six of its last seven, including Kitleys game-winner. The play, designed by former associate head coach Shawn Poppie, now the head coach at Chattanooga, worked to perfection. He was a Christmas present born on Christmas Eve in 1967. [12] On December 19, she posted 34 points and 13 rebounds in a 9275 win against Florida State. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. In her home state, Kitley finished with 21 points (9-of-14) and 10 rebounds, good for her 51st career double-double. The team wore T-shirts with the word LOVE displayed in multiple colors, which resembled the Autism Awareness Ribbon. Inbounding across from the Tech bench after the ball was advanced, Cayla King found a cutting Kitley running towards her off a screen from Georgia Amoore. The Kitleys would echo those sentiments. Things were looking up, but Staak cut Kitleys playing time in half his junior season, although he still started some games. Visitation Nation -- A regular feature on players and their recent or upcoming visits, both official and unofficial. Elizabeth Kitley has gone back-to-back. 9 Hokies past No. 2023 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. TSL) is an independent publication that is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Virginia Tech or the Virginia Tech Athletic Department. 22 North Carolina, 61-59. Another year of studying, playing basketball, and hopefully winning. This INCLUDES a player card and access to premium player evaluations in the senior, junior and sophomore classes. Ive seen her shoot that shot thousands of times and shes probably about 90% on it. For more details about the site, including a list of TechSideline.com staff, see our About page. Kitley made serious strides as a junior in the 1984-85 season. Though separated by nine years in age, the two share an undeniable bond. But she said she learned the most in the Hokies 90-48 second round loss to Baylor. A reporter named J.P. Mundy knew about the connection and asked Elizabeth about her dad being an MVP in the interview room, Kitley said. Has three siblings; Raven, Zack and Nick. 2022-23 ACC Standings. She picked up competitive basketball quickly as she dominated in high school, where she won two Class 4 North Carolina state championships. She participated in the Carolinas Classic where she recorded 13 points and 8 rebounds. [3] Before her senior season, Kitley suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during an Amateur Athletic Union game. Thanks. She also improved her mid-range shooting, which could make her one of if not the most difficult players to match up with in the ACC. Nell Fortner is a great coach and will have her team ready to play. She had six giveaways and only scored 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting (2-of-10 3FG). Were winning, and were winning with the player of the year. He and I have a relationship based off that. Kitley was one of two ACC athletes to record a 20-rebound game and was the only one to score 30 points twice. He said, You need to go talk to her again.'. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. That experience left an indelible mark on both. Purchasing a Platinum membership gives you access to everything ProspectsNation.com offers annually or monthly. Elizabeth and Cayla King both committed to Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks did the best job. She accomplished that in the fourth quarter (in 113 games). It was so awesome for Coach Brooks and his staff to put that together for both the girls. UNCheat got the ending they deserved; you could have heard a pin drop. Thats why her game is constantly expanding.. In a late-season game against the Wolfpack at Reynolds Coliseum, he piled up 22 points and 12 rebounds in an 86-82 loss. The person on the other end means the world to Kitley her older half-sister, Raven. She recorded the most points by a Virginia Tech freshman in a debut. "When. Elizabeth Kitley was a freshman in high school when she was first introduced to competitive basketball. The social interaction alone is invaluable. Two-time state champion at Northwest Guilford. Awesome win! TechSideline.com (a.k.a. He could run the floor at 225 pounds and make mid-range shots. He played sparingly as a freshman backup center in a loaded ACC. Elizabeth was tall and well coordinated at an early game. (Virginia Tech sports photography) Georgia Amoore shot 994 three-pointers by herself after a "bad" mid-week practice, as described by Kenny Brooks following Virginia Tech's surprise loss to Liberty in early December, one in which she shot 2-of-10 and only scored four points. Wake was led by senior guard Muggsy Bogues, but the Demon Deacons went 3-13 in the ACC and lost five overtime games. Even in high school, most realized that she was different. When Elizabeth was a 6-foot-2 rising freshman at Northwest Guilford, there was a fork in the road. So I became that softball dad.. Women's Power Rankings: Pac-12 teams, Maryland show their teeth, Elizabeth Kitley fights off defender for and-1, Georgia Amoore, Elizabeth Kitley lead Virginia Tech to win over NC State, Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley stands her ground on block, Check out this sweet dime from Elizabeth Kitley, Elizabeth Kitley makes a nice move for the layup, Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley nails the jump shot. There are no statistics for this selected season available for this player. Here are some samples of our Platinum Subscriber stories: Timeout -- Kelsey Mitchell and Christa Reed, Instant Reaction -- Texas Tech Scores Again. She scored 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-6 from deep. The Hokies visit the ACCs top team, fourth-ranked N.C. State, today at 4 p.m. That leads to another fascinating part of the story. Elizabeth Kitley denies NC State Wolfpack with block. Kitley was smart enough to know he couldnt succeed in basketball just by being the tallest guy on the court. All the players have jelled together to make a great team. A few days afterward, Elizabeth talked about autism awareness on Packer and Durham, arguably the ACC Networks most popular show. Add up to 3 additional videos to your player card (must be existing platinum subscriber). 7h Hokie nation, I met @RavenKitley ! Liz and Kayana saved us but it was a great effort from what has evolved as a TEAM. One number, with the corresponding person designated by a purple heart, showed up multiple times on her screen. The Virginia Tech senior center was named the ACC women's basketball player of the year on Tuesday for the second straight season. He was chosen for the East-West All-Star Game in the summer of 1986, but was unable to play in the game because of back issues. AP 4A All-State in 2017, 2018.