Virginia Tech sets date to retire the jersey of Elizabeth Kitley

When Elizabeth Kitley stepped onto the Virginia Tech campus, little did she, former head coach Kenny Brooks, and her teammates knew the impact she would make. It was a legendary career for Kitley in Blacksburg and she will get an honor from the school and program that so deserved.

Virginia Tech to retire Elizabeth Kitley’s number in January

Kitley, who saw her Hokies career end with an injury in the final regular season game last March at Virginia when she tore her ACL, played five seasons at Virginia Tech and will have ner No. 33 raised to the rafters at Cassell Coliseum on Jan. 19 when the Hokies host Louisville.

 She is the record holder for games started, minutes played, points scored, and scoring average. Her eye-popping numbers don’t stop there. Kitley owns the record for most double-digit scoring games and field goals made field goal percentage and 30-point games. She is also the ACC record holder for rebounds with 1,506 and double-doubles with 76.

Kitley is the type of person who won’t take full credit for her accomplishments and was a team-first player. Along with Georgia Amoore and Cayla King, the trio put Virginia Tech women’s basketball on the map with their first-ever Final Four trip in 2023. 

It was announced last April that Kitley’s jersey would be retired this upcoming season, but the school, waited until the ACC schedule was officially announced before they picked a date. It will happen against the Cardinals in what will be quite the ceremony.

Despite being injured and missing the entire 2024 WNBA season, Kitley was drafted by the Las Vegas Aces, 24th overall, last April and if everything goes well, she should return to the court for the 2025 season where Hokies fans will get to watch her pro career.