Virginia Tech News: ESPN ranks women’s basketball recruiting & more

In this edition of Virginia Tech News, the college basketball season is here, the volleyball team loses again, and more.

Virginia Tech women’s basketball recruiting ranked in the Top 10 by ESPN

ESPN released the Top 10 teams in recruiting classes for women’s basketball and the Hokies, to no one’s surprise, are in the Top 10 for the Class of 2024.

Virginia Tech’s class is ranked sixth by ESPN and is highlighted by 6-foot-6 center Clara Silva from Portugal. Head coach Kenny Brooks got a commitment from her over the summer and she should be a nice replacement after Elizabeth Kitley graduates following the upcoming season.

Also in the Class for 2024 is guard Lexi Blue who is ranked 41st by ESPN and is a good 3-point shooter. Ranked ahead of the Hokies are Texas, UCLA, Connecticut, Michigan, and South Carolina.

Virginia Tech opens the season at home tonight against High Point at 5 p.m., followed by the men playing Coppin State at 8 p.m. The women then will play Iowa at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday night in an early-season Top 10 showdown between two teams that made the Final Four last spring in Dallas.

Virginia Tech volleyball loses second straight in North Carolina

Sunday, the Hokies volleyball team dropped their second straight match of the weekend in the state of North Carolina when they were swept by Duke, 3-0, in Durham.

The Blue Devils won Game 1, 25-12, Game 2, 25-13, and Game 3, 25-20. Ava Francis collected six kills for Virginia Tech and Iliana Rodriguez had another strong match with 10 digs.

Friday, the Hokies were swept by North Carolina and after the two matches this weekend, they fell below .500 for the first time in 2023 at 12-13 overall and they dipped to 2-12 in ACC play. Virginia Tech has a week off and returns to the court next Sunday at home when they host North Carolina State at noon.