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Hokie Sports Round Up

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Greetings to the Hokie Faithful!  Before I get into the update regarding the performance of various Virginia Tech athletic efforts I wanted to apologize for the lack of updates over the last six weeks.  In the last few months I have moved on to a new duty station with increased responsibilities and it has impacted my ability to get to a computer.  While writing is a passion and Gobbler Country is an endeavor that holds a special place for me the reality of external obligations is significant.  I do apologize for the dearth of updates, but I fear that it is a complication that will continue for the foreseeable future.  Regardless, I will make every effort to get updates out there in a timelier fashion.  Without further ado, let’s get to the sports!

Women’s Basketball

The Hokies peaked with a No. 15 national ranking before suffering an 11-game losing streak against conference opponents. VT finished the season posting a 4-12 ACC regular season record before being dealt an immediate loss in the ACC tournament.  At mid-season it seemed that VPI was poised for a tournament appearance, but in the end they missed an invitation to the dance and were relegated to the NIT.  Although that may seem like a disappointment I hope that your mind will be changed throughout the next paragraph.

Although first year coach, Kenny Brooks, struggled during conference play, he and the women of Virginia Tech posted a 16-2 record against non-conference foes.  That domination of non-ACC opponents continued through the NIT when the Hokies made it all the way to the quarterfinals. After defeating the Rider Broncs, Navy Midshipmen, and Penn State Nittany Lions the Virginia Tech lost to the Michigan Wolverines, 62-80, during the Elite-8 of the NIT.  Last year the Hokies were knocked out of the WNIT during the second round.

After their efforts in the regular and post season the Virginia Tech Women’s Basketball team finished with an overall record of 20-14, three of which occurred during the WNIT.  The result is that during his first year as head coach Kenny Brooks posted the best VT record since 2005, racked up a program record for team points scored, and earned the most postseason wins since 2001.  Although the first half of the season resulted in an inflated expectation when one expands their scope they can see that the Hokies are certainly heading in the correct direction.  Congratulations to Coach Brooks and the women of Virginia Tech Basketball for a fantastic, head turning season.

Lacrosse

The Virginia Tech Hokies are currently embroiled in what is arguably their most successful season in program history.  Last year VT finished the season with a 5-13 overall record and an 0-7 conference record.  This year the Hokies have already doubled their wins.  Currently the Fighting Gobblers have earned an 11-4 record with a 2-2 ACC record. Virginia Tech has quality wins over then No. 17 Boston College and No. 10 Duke.  The win over the BC Eagles catapulted the Hokies into what I believe is the first national ranking for the VT Women’s Lacrosse team.  They debuted at No. 20, but currently sit at No. 12.  Most recently Virginia Tech lost, during OT, to the Louisville Cardinals and the No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels.  The Hokies only have three games left during the regular season.  They will next face the Syracuse Orange and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish before punctuating the regular season with a match against the Virginia Cavaliers.

Softball

Virginia Tech has entered something of a rut with a few highlights.  Since starting the season 5-3 the Hokies have dropped 16 total while only winning another ten games.  During that time VPI won the series against the Virginia Cavaliers, 2-1.  They were also swept by the No. 1 ranked Florida State Seminoles. With an overall record of 15-19 and a conference record of 5-10 the Hokies have something of a hole to dig themselves out.  This Wednesday VT will face Elon before facing ACC foe Pittsburgh this weekend.