Elizabeth Kitley

Elizabeth Ann Kitley (born September 17, 2001)[1][2] is an American college basketball player for the Virginia Tech Hokies of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Elizabeth Kitley
Kitley in 2022
No. 33 – Virginia Tech Hokies
PositionCenter
LeagueAtlantic Coast Conference
Personal information
Born (2001-09-17) September 17, 2001
Summerfield, North Carolina, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Career information
High schoolNorthwest Guilford
(Greensboro, North Carolina)
CollegeVirginia Tech (2019–present)
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school career

Kitley grew up playing basketball, softball and volleyball, preferring softball by fifth grade. She switched her focus to basketball before her freshman year at Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, when she stood 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m).[3] 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.[4] She helped her team win another state title in her junior season, repeating as MVP of the title game.[5] Before her senior season, Kitley suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during an Amateur Athletic Union game. Following surgery, she was sidelined until the final two games of the season.[6] Rated a five-star recruit by ESPN,[7] she committed to play for Virginia Tech at the college level under head coach Kenny Brooks.[8]

College career

On November 5, 2019, Kitley made her collegiate debut and scored a season-high 27 points, shooting 13-of-15 from the field, in a 105–41 win over Saint Francis (PA). She recorded the most points by a Virginia Tech freshman in a debut.[9] As a freshman, Kitley averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game and was named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Freshman of the Year.[10] On December 4, 2020, she posted a sophomore season-high 30 points and 11 rebounds in an 84–59 win against Appalachian State.[11] On January 17, 2021, Kitley tied the program single-game record with 21 rebounds, while scoring 18 points in a 67–64 loss to Wake Forest.[12] One week later, she scored 30 points for a second time, along with 13 rebounds, in an 89–87 loss to AP No. 2 NC State.[13] Kitley averaged 18.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore, earning first-team All-ACC honors.[3]

On November 11, 2021, Kitley tallied 34 points and nine rebounds, making a program-record 17 field goals, in a 75–38 win over George Washington.[14] On December 19, she posted 34 points and 13 rebounds in a 92–75 win against Florida State.[15] Kitley sustained a right shoulder injury against North Carolina in the quarterfinals of the 2022 ACC tournament and was sidelined as her team lost to NC State in the following game.[16] She returned for the first round of the NCAA tournament. During the game, Kitley set the Virginia Tech single-game scoring record with 42 points in an 84–81 loss to 12th-seeded Florida Gulf Coast.[17] As a junior, she averaged 18.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Kitley was named ACC Player of the Year and repeated as a first-team All-ACC selection. 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.[18]

Personal life

Kitley's father, Ralph, played professional basketball in Germany and Brazil following a college career at Wake Forest. He became a high school principal, teacher and basketball coach.[3]

References
  1. Brooks, Kenny [@CoachBrooksVT] (September 17, 2019). "Our youngin is finally 18! Help us wish @elizabethkitley a happy birthday!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 10, 2023 – via Twitter.
  2. "Undergraduate Spring 2023 Graduates". Virginia Tech. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  3. London, Mike (January 23, 2022). "Ralph and Elizabeth: Kitleys are a basketball family". Salisbury Post. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  4. Mundy, J.P. (March 11, 2017). "Northwest Guilford girls makes history with 4-A basketball title". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  5. Mundy, J.P. (March 10, 2018). "Northwest Guilford's 'true grit' leads to another title". News & Record. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  6. Berman, Mark (March 1, 2022). "Center of attention: Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley named ACC player of the year". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  7. "Elizabeth Kitley 2019 High School Girls' Basketball Profile". ESPN. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  8. Sirera, Joe (December 7, 2017). "Northwest Guilford's Liz Kitley says Virginia Tech 'just felt like home'". News & Record. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  9. "Kitley honored by ACC after stellar opening week". Virginia Tech Athletics. November 11, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  10. Epps Jr., Wayne (March 17, 2020). "Women's basketball around the Commonwealth provided plenty to remember in 2019-20". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  11. Berman, Mark (December 4, 2020). "Elizabeth Kitley scores 30 points in Virginia Tech win over Appalachian State". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  12. Niziolek, Mike (January 17, 2021). "Virginia Tech women's basketball struggles down the stretch in loss to Wake Forest". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  13. "Kitley registers 30-point afternoon in 89-87 loss at No. 2 NC State". Virginia Tech Athletics. January 24, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  14. "Elizabeth Kitley opens season as ACC's Co-Player of the Week". Virginia Tech Athletics. November 15, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  15. Ferrante, Bob (December 19, 2021). "Kitley, Amoore too much as VT defeats FSU". The Osceola. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  16. Philippou, Alexa (March 5, 2022). "Virginia Tech Hokies' ACC women's basketball tournament run ends without star Elizabeth Kitley in loss to NC State". ESPN. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  17. "Kitley scores 42 points in Virginia Tech's 84-81 loss to FGCU". Virginia Tech Athletics. March 18, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  18. "Elizabeth Kitley – Women's Basketball". Virginia Tech Athletics. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
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