VIRGINIA TECH STUDENT RADIO WUVT BROADCASTS INTO ROANOKE
Max Painchaud | Assistant News Editor
Virginia Tech’s student radio WUVT expands into Roanoke for larger New River Valley coverage.
On Jan. 27, Virginia Tech’s student-run radio, WUVT, announced that the station will now provide broadcast coverage in some Roanoke areas.
Jan. 11 was the first official day WUVT began broadcasting in Roanoke. To broadcast to the Roanoke area, WUVT used an antenna signal on 12 O’clock Knob in Roanoke, VA. The new coverage area may double WUVT’s listening audience.
WUVT is a non-profit radio station that has been operating since 1948. The organization mainly functions through student members and community engagement. WUVT also has its own engineering team to help maintain the station.
While the station does not advertise commercials, public service announcements, Virginia Tech news and sports information are broadcast. It was also labeled as an educational broadcasting station in 1969 when WUVT-FM was created.
WUVT serves many cities and counties in the New River Valley, including the university’s campus, Blacksburg, Montgomery County, Radford, Salem, Christiansburg, Floyd, Giles, Pulaski and Wytheville. Now, parts of the Roanoke
area will also be able to listen to WUVT at 101.9FM.
Amir Lahoud, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, is WUVT’s general manager who mainly organizes different tasks the station needs to function.
“I first joined WUVT’s engineering staff, so I wasn’t very in touch with our range. Even now, I still find it hard to imagine how much of an upgrade this is,” Lahoud said. “This translator expansion has more than doubled our listenership, and any WUVT DJ has around 40,000 listeners at one time, and that’s just a conservative estimate!”
Lahoud explained that while this expansion will grow WUVT listenership, the current staff will remain the same.
“Our staff will stay the same, as of right now. We’re all aware how big of a deal this is at WUVT, and we’re ready to put in the work to bring great, commercial-free radio to Roanoke,” Lahoud said.
Lahoud also expressed how the expansion will benefit the station. “This expansion will definitely do great things for the WUVT. It’ll raise awareness about our nonprofit student-run station, spread
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more alternative music into the greater Roanoke area and help us fundraise for our semesterly fundraiser, Radiothon,” Lahoud said.
Naiel Habtemichael, a junior majoring in advertising and music technology, is also WUVT’s FM program director. Habtemichael ensures that WUVT’s programming content is running smoothly and schedules when each DJ will be on air.
Habtemichael stated that he will be busier now that WUVT has expanded into Roanoke.
“I have so much to do. But I love it, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve been paying extra attention to what everyone is playing on-air, making sure everything is up to snuff,” Habtemichael said. “One thing I’m really proud to announce is that this semester, spring 2026, we have 24/7 regular programming for the first time. Meaning we have a DJ for every single available slot on our schedule.”
Habtemichael also explained that he never thought WUVT would expand outside of Blacksburg. “WUVT has become so synonymous with the Blacksburg area, so we’ve been pretty
focused on just trying to make sure our Blacksburg programming is good. But, when this opportunity came to expand, we knew we would be doing ourselves and our listeners a disservice if we didn’t go for it,” said Habtemichael.
Habtemichael’s ultimate hope for the expansion is to show how hard everyone on the staff works.
“My biggest hope with this expansion is that people in Roanoke get to see and hear how much work everyone in WUVT puts in. We have 18 staffheads, 105 on-air DJs, students, faculty, alumni, people in the Blacksburg community, who are all contributing to making this station what it is,” Habtemichael stated. “Maybe I’m a bit biased, but there aren’t many stations that are as involved as WUVT. Everyone has something to bring to the table, and now we have a bigger audience to show that to.”
For more information on WUVT, visit their website and listen at 90.7FM in the New River Valley.
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VIRGINIA TECH HOSTS RELIGIONFORBREAKFAST FOR MULTIFAITH WEEK
Lindsey Kudriavetz | News Writer
Virginia Tech hosts event for MultiFaith Week to promote religious literacy for all religions.
The Virginia Tech Dean of Students office hosted Andrew Henry, the host of ReligionForBreakfast on YouTube, Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Newman Library.
“Religious literacy is an important civic skill, much like media literacy,” Henry said. “Just as media literacy helps students recognize framing, bias and hidden assumptions in news and social media, religious literacy helps them recognize when religion is shaping public life.”
Henry gave a speech focusing on popular religion and religious literacy in the modern world. The main idea of the speech was the importance of media literacy for future leaders.
“College students are entering workplaces, voting booths, courtrooms
and public institutions where religion already plays a role, often without us realizing it,” Henry said. “Religious literacy gives students the ability to see those forces clearly and participate in public life more thoughtfully and responsibly.”
Henry is a scholar of religion who earned his bachelor’s degree from Messiah University and his PhD in religious studies from Boston University. Henry’s channel has over 1 million subscribers on YouTube. The channel is self-described as “dedicated to the academic, nonsectarian study of religion,” and says it promotes “improving the public’s religious literacy by exploring humanity’s beliefs and rituals.”
Multifaith week was celebrated from Feb. 2 to Feb. 6, with seven total events for students at Virginia Tech.
Events included Make Your Own Spell Jar, an interfaith luncheon and a Muslim Student Panel.
World Interfaith Harmony Week is a U.N.-recognized initiative that promotes interreligious dialogue, education and peace.
“Multifaith Week models a public skill set: listening carefully to each other, asking better questions, and learning how to navigate differences in shared public spaces. That’s the kind of competence pluralistic societies depend on,” Henry said.
Multifaith week at Virginia Tech was organized by the VT Interfaith Initiative
to promote religious pluralism and exploration.
“Multifaith Week is an opportunity for all Hokies — students, employees, and the broader community — to celebrate one of the things that makes Virginia Tech a special place, and that is our religious pluralism,” said JillAnn Knonenborg, assistant dean for interfaith leadership.
For more information on interfaith initiatives at Virginia Tech, reach out to interfaith@vt.edu or Interfaith Initiative on Instagram. @COLLEGIATETIMES
WHY INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE ENROLLMENT IS FALLING
Julian Namez | News Writer
Virginia Tech’s international graduate enrollment numbers decrease due to federal policies impacting international students.
From fall 2024 to fall 2025, Virginia Tech saw a 14% decrease in international enrollment in graduate programs. This follows the statewide trend of a 13% decrease across Virginia colleges. This decrease is believed to be a result of recent federal policies such as the pause on all international student interviews in 2025, an increased revocation of student visas and an expansion of the screening and vetting process for visa applications.
One significant effect of a decrease in international enrollment is a significant reduction in overall school funding. A. Scott Fleming, the executive director of State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, explained this effect during a public hearing held by the Virginia Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.
“International students tend to pay full tuition; they bring with them considerable additional economic resources when they enter the commonwealth to study, and so the reduction and decline of international student enrollment will absolutely have an impact on some of our public four-year institutions,” Fleming said.
There is a projected $23 million loss in revenue across Virginia when comparing fall 2025 to fall 2024.
Virginia Tech’s Cranwell International Center provides programs and services for international students. They offer advising for students to help assist with the maintenance of their status and integrate them into the campus community. They also provide information and resources on housing, English language support, financial matters and more.
As of fall 2025, international students make up 40% of all graduate students at Virginia Tech. One of these students is Keyur Joshi, a fourth-semester graduate student from India, currently studying mechanical engineering. He described his application process for the F-1 student visa.
“India has a lot of applicants, so it was pretty stressful getting a slot before actually coming here,” Keyur said. “It is often intimidating because you need to show a lot of financial proof, financial documents. There’s a lot of convincing that you need to do, but the interview was pretty good, it was barely a minute long.”
Since coming here in 2024, Keyur has thoroughly enjoyed his experience at Virginia Tech.
“It’s fantastic. I didn’t get accepted
into a couple other schools, but in hindsight, this was the best decision I’ve made,” Keyur said. I work with a lot of brilliant people, a lot of brilliant professors, and it’s great being here.” University and state officials continue to monitor enrollment trends as visa policies and application processes remain in effect for upcoming academic cycles.
NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: VALENTINE’S DAY DATES BEYOND DINNER
Cat Pizzarello | Lifestyles Editor
Switch things up this Valentine’s with these memorable non-food dates.
Blacksburg is home to many delicious restaurants — but beyond delectable eats, there are plenty of activities for an outgoing date to wow the love in your life. Ditch the dinner reservation this Valentine’s Day and treat your date to a memorable day with these six ideas that don’t involve a restaurant reservation.
Paint pottery
Behind the walls of the Uptown Christiansburg Mall lies a small pottery shop. Paint ‘n Fun Ceramics is a hidden gem, filled with a variety of handcrafted goods for customers to purchase and paint. Consider painting something for your significant other as a sneaky lastminute gift to cherish for years to come.
Breakout of an escape room
For the adventurous couples up for a
bit of a challenge, Puzzlr in downtown Blacksburg is a great choice. With a selection of themed rooms such as “The Witches Curse” and “Blackbeard’s Boot Camp,” there is sure to be a room for everyone. The question truly is, will you make it out in time?
Winter hike at Pandapas Pond
Although the weather is cold, Blacksburg is far too beautiful to stay indoors forever. Pandapas Pond is just a few miles from Virginia Tech’s campus and offers a lovely setting for a romantic walk. To complete the afternoon, bring a picnic, some card games and a disposable camera to keep the memories forever.
Rock climbing at Crimper’s Pack your chalk bags and climbing gear
— Crimper’s, hidden behind an Exxon station in Christiansburg, is another great option for the adventurous duos. Take part in bouldering, slab and belay walls with a slew of different puzzles. While you’re in the area, consider stopping at Cambria Station Antiques and Old New River Books for some light shopping.
Minecraft date
For those more keen on an indoor adventure, use nostalgia to your advantage with a classic — take your partner back to their childhood with a round of Minecraft. Build a house together, defend your land and explore the great unknown. Stay in and finish the night with a good rom-com or board game for the ultimate relaxing date night.
Stroll around the Farmers Market This year, Valentine’s Day falls on Saturday, Feb. 14, perfect for all the fans of the Blacksburg Farmers Market. From fresh flowers to baked goods, there are plenty of options to treat your date to. Take the time to enjoy the live music and the handmade goods from vendors. As Valentine’s Day approaches, instead of an expensive gift, consider treating your partner to a memorable date. As lovely as a heartfelt gift can be, it’s the memories that stick with us in the end. However you spend Feb. 14 this year, Happy Valentine’s to all Hokies during the season of love.
RATHER THAN ROMANCE: FINDING LOVE IN OTHER FORMS THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
Lifestyles Section Staff
The lifestyles staff shares what they love beyond romantic partners this Valentine’s Day.
From dinner reservations and gift giving to modern commercialization, Valentine’s Day can be mistaken for a holiday just for couples. However, the history of Valentine’s Day hints toward a selfless, sometimes sacrificial, love called agape. While romantic love can be selfless, the same can be said for familial, platonic and self-love or even the love of life.
Psychologist Sam Goldstein writes in an article for Psychology Today that “Love is the essence of life, and if there is one thing truly worth celebrating, it is this profound and beautiful emotion.” Following this practice, the lifestyles section shared things they love that aren’t about a romantic partner.
Emmy Rose, lifestyles contributor It’s probably very cliché to say, but my love outside of romanticism is found with the people I surround myself with. My family is my biggest support system, and I am so grateful to have them. With their support, I’m able to flourish into my own self, try new things and reach my goals. My friends are also a love of mine to celebrate this Valentine’s Day. Even though I
don’t see my friends from home often, we still celebrate each other’s accomplishments as if they were our own. I feel so lucky to have such amazing people in my life.
Alex Winn, lifestyles contributor
The obvious answer for me has to be music. Music has the unique ability to transport me to another world, and not have to think about the current world and its problems. Music can also influence my mood, unlike anything else, whether it’s listening to Joji, Clairo and Men I Trust when something goes wrong or listening to Migos, Jimi Hendrix and Bad Bunny when I get an A on an exam. This Valentine’s Day, I will celebrate by putting on my headphones and listening to some music to be able to just tune out the outside world.
Benjamin Gozzi, lifestyles staff writer
I love that I have the ability to live my life to the fullest at Virginia Tech. Advisors, friends, professors and a cast of amazing people in and outside of my major continually support me and push me to be the best version of myself whenever possible.
Aidan Mason, lifestyles staff writer
It may seem a bit narcissistic to admit this, but my love is perhaps my own work as a writer and an author. I’ve spent so much time in worlds of my own, crafting stories, building characters, that in a way, they’re a part of me just as much as actual people. More than just little stories, they’re my legacy, what I leave behind when I’m buried in the grave.
Ella Winterling, lifestyles editor
In terms of Valentine’s Day, I’ve always spent it with friends and family. From Galentine’s celebrations to care packages from my mom, I have always loved Valentine’s Day as a celebration of love of all kinds. This Valentine’s Day, I am so grateful to have friends and family who make every day special.
Something else I love, which I’ve been able to reconnect with since being at Virginia Tech, is the region of Southwestern Virginia. I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but moved away when I was in elementary school. Being back at Virginia Tech, I have loved getting re-acquainted with the culture of the area. From
the people to the landscape, being back in Appalachian Virginia is something I love.
Cat Pizzarello, lifestyles editor
For me, love outside of romanticism has always been found in my passions and the people who help me continue to love and pursue them. From reading and writing, to my love of food and culture, to as small as my love for my favorite colors, I am a person who is always devoted to the things I love.
At Virginia Tech, I have been so fortunate to find amazing friends who share my passions with me. These wonderful people fuel my desire to keep pursuing the things I love and share that passion with me. This Valentine’s Day, I plan to make space for all the things in my life that I feel I so often take for granted.
J. COLE ‘THE FALL-OFF’ ALBUM REVIEW
Karl Chamberlain | Opinions Columnist
J. Cole’s newest album, “The Fall Off,” continues his mediocre campaign for greatness.
J. Cole should have been an academic and not an artist.
Listen to his latest album, “The FallOff,” and you’ll hear his familiarity with a thesaurus. As a student of rap with a formidable lexicon, he has all the shots, and yet he still can’t make a statement. The thesis of an album obviously doesn’t have to be a lyrical theme. In fact, some of the best albums are purely sonic statements. Cole’s issue is that he takes a neutral position toward everything. He’s terminally risk-averse and mildly narcissistic.
The title denotes the end of a career and disguises this project as a concept album. The complexities of fame have been exhaustively explored in the music industry, particularly in rap. Songs like Vince Staples’ “Freeman,” JID’s “Better Days” and Conway the Machine’s “Stressed,” just to name a few. That said, I don’t doubt that Cole could bring a unique perspective to the conversation and write some entertaining songs.
Cole takes three different perspectives in the song “SAFETY.” On the song “Lonely at the Top,” Cole compares the music industry to a playground. There’s a song called “The Fall-Off is Inevitable” where he tells the story of his life in reverse. I’d elaborate, but there’s little else to say. These writing exercises are ineffective and without purpose; adding complexity doesn’t vitalize a pointless story. I can write about checking out at the grocery store from my perspective and the cashier’s. I can also compare a tennis ball to an orange and write the alphabet backwards. It’s still boring if I discuss the ball and orange as quadric surfaces or call the grocery conveyor belt a linear lazy Susan.
Cole invites criticism on “Drum n Bass” with his claim to be “the greatest rapper of the century.” I’ll gladly take this opportunity to remind everyone that in April of 2024, he released the Kendrick Lamar diss track “7 Minute
Drill” and apologized two days later. He didn’t even lose; he conceded. This act of cowardice should remove him from any “greatest rapper” conversations. Some distance from the situation has apparently given him the audacity to puff out his chest and manipulate the short memory of the public.
He lacks the conceptual depth to spar with Lamar or even draw a comparison. What Cole attempts to do on “SAFETY,” Lamar successfully executed on a few occasions, namely “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst,” “Prayer” and “reincarnated.” In all three, Lamar uses the first two perspectives and their intricacies to introduce specific information that constructs a story for him to resolve in the third verse. Cole uses three interchangeable perspectives to tell arbitrary stories, spending half the time scratching his own back. To add insult to injury, one of the verses goes on an inconsequential tangent about gay people. It’s ambivalent to the point of nearly being homophobic.
Cole clearly doesn’t have the social consciousness to discuss a subject as dense as homophobia, so his brief attempt comes across as shallow and offensive. I can’t even begin to see the vision on the opening track “Two Six,” where Cole proclaims the rarity of “A rap bitch goin’ plat’ without her ass out.” If I give him the benefit of the doubt, I’ll take this as a critique of the male audience, but if I’m being frank, this is just a reductive characterization of female rappers. If this isn’t the case, the verbiage is unconscionable.
To directly compare Cole and Lamar, you could examine J. Cole’s song “Quik Stop.” He illustrates the story of meeting a fan at a gas station who tells him how great he is. In essence, this is no different than the two friends who called him on “SAFETY” to tell him how great he is. In contrast, consider Lamar’s song “How Much a Dollar Cost,” in which Lamar is
similarly confronted by a man at a gas station. In this case, the man is homeless and asking Lamar for a single dollar, and Lamar apathetically dismisses him. In response, the man reveals he is God and Lamar failed a moral test of avarice. One story is a creative, singular way of communicating the comprehensively documented theme of generosity. The other is just an ego massage.
Kendrick Lamar did not need to be in this review, but Cole forced my hand. Cole is a great rapper, and I won’t argue with that, but once he starts calling himself the greatest, I have to get contentious. Nobody should accept him defaulting out of a competition and claiming a speculative victory.
Lamar aside, you don’t need a reference point to measure Cole’s inability to say something. This is evident in the song “What If,” where he exchanges letters from the perspectives of 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. He fabricates a reality in which both rappers lived and resolved their differences peacefully, and I’m just left wondering why. There’s an easy way to tie this to his album concept, but he doesn’t do it. Both rappers are considered among the best, but their lives and careers were tragically cut short. In the absence of tragedy, would they have aged gracefully like Nas or suffered a decline like Lil Wayne? In other words, were they subject to “The Fall-Off”? It’s a cynical question, so maybe just don’t write this story. Does this initiate any productive discourse? In the absence of cynicism, all this song does is put forth the obvious fact that peace results in less death.
Sonically, I have no major complaints. He doesn’t take enough risks to seriously faceplant with any of these instrumentals, and I wouldn’t really expect him to. It’s generally nice on the ears, and Cole’s knack for flow allows him to weave nicely into the music. There are a few songs where the instrumentals elevate
the music beyond passive listening, such as “Poor Thang” and “WHO TF IZ U.” The latter actually has a clever bar where Cole compares Zane Lowe’s interviews with artists to interrogations. Some songs have sour elements, namely the singing on “The Let Out” and the structure of “Bunce Road Blues.” I also did not need to hear 41-year-old J. Cole say “gyatt” 21 times on “Bombs in the Ville/Hit the Gas.”
Ultimately, Cole fails to capitalize on the subject and provides another shallow attempt at conscious hip-hop. This album is a lukewarm glass of water with a slice of lime and some mold at the bottom. He continues to insist that he’s the best without offering any evidence, and in the absence of any opinion, the tone deaf social commentary is hard to rationalize. J. Cole can exist in the background, but when he forces himself into the foreground, perspective can no longer distort his shallow stature.
WEED OUT CLASSES NEED TO GO
Livia Wenger | Opinions Columnist
Weed out classes do not ensure proper learning.
According to both personal experience as well as the shared online experiences of others. The general definition of a weed-out class is an entry level STEM course designed to be overly difficult or take an excessive amount of time for assignments and proper study in order to push students to fail, withdraw or change majors completely.
Now, I will say that there are benefits to setting the bar high in an entry level chemistry or mathematics class at a university. Those could include determining which students have not only the determination but the dedication of time and effort to pass these classes, who will succeed in their major and subsequent career field and who will not. However, the benefits are far outweighed by the negative effects.
As a former animal and poultry science major, examples of weed out classes here at Virginia Tech stem from a personal experience. They include Chemistry 1014, Math 1014, Biology 1105 and AAEC 1005. These classes, especially Math 1014 because it took place in a warehouse full of computers with textbooks that don’t actually teach you anything, are meant to be exceedingly difficult.
The sections of organic chemistry offered at Virginia Tech should also be considered weed out classes. Almost everyone I have talked to has either taken the class multiple times expecting to do so or outsourced their education to a community college so that they could have a better chance of learning and passing the first time.
As a STEM school, I understand the
need to weed out a certain number of students earlier to ensure there are enough seats for students as they progress through undergraduate studies. However, I think that it’s ridiculous.
Virginia Tech has plenty of money, more than enough to create a proper set of classes with professors who are actually present and teaching you how to solve equations step by step. Being a school who takes pride in their STEM programs, Virginia Tech should be more than happy to provide the resources needed for students to excel in their area of interest.
Students pay a lot of money, take out loans, move and invest an average of four years of their life into this school. I think we deserve more than a self-taught math
class that is intentionally and unnecessarily difficult just to encourage students who struggle to switch majors. Some students, myself included, need extra help or step-by-step explanations with visuals in order to grasp concepts, and those just weren’t always there. Weed out classes do more harm than good. There are ways to reduce the number of students in majors through a natural shift in interest, and Virginia Tech should be ashamed of these passive aggressive courses. I know that this school has the money to provide a better experience for incoming STEM students, yet they don’t. What will they do now to ensure a better experience for them?
WALK FOR PEACE, STAY FOR CHANGE
Jenna Mason | Opinions
Editor
A silent pilgrimage across a fractured nation reminds us that healing begins from within.
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past three months, you should know a little about what’s been happening in the world as of late. If you have been living under a rock, you’re missing out on one of the biggest warning signs that’s taking place in the United States. The Venerable Monks of Dhammacetiya are currently partaking in a 120-day pilgrimage across the U.S. from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., and it’s called the Walk for Peace.
Beginning on Oct. 26, 2025, 19 Vietnamese Theravada Buddhist monks and a rescue dog named Aloka banded together to walk for 2,300 miles. Throughout their journey, the group relies heavily on Buddhist tradition — taking only themselves on their voyage and accepting what the people around them are willing to give.
The goal of all peace walks is to promote the propagation of compassion, mindfulness and peace across the world, which is much needed in American society today. By closely following the traditions of Buddhism, the Walk for Peace allows us to see that virtue still exists in a world filled
with darkness and decay.
Peace walks originated in Cambodia in 1992 during the repatriation of refugees from Thai border camps amid the Khmer Rouge. Although peace walks have existed for thousands of years, the 2025-26 Walk for Peace is currently the only other pilgrimage on record as a specific event.
With monumental changes in politics, the economy and the environment, the peace walk symbolizes a sign for the world being out of balance. The negativity we’re faced with in today’s society proves the need for all people to pause, evaluate and change the narrative of how life is playing out.
Problematic and unjust incidents with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement are just one example of an unbalanced world. Since September 2025, 13 people have been shot during ICE raids and while in custody, some of whom were U.S. citizens.
Another example of the unstable world we live in right now is the 2025 government shutdown. Although shutdowns have happened before, this past one was the
longest in U.S. history. It lasted 43 days and caused devastating outcomes: delays in federal funding, lack of public health and safety measures, hindrance of travel and immigration services and more.
While watching these 19 Buddhist monks walk across a piece of stolen land with no shoes and nothing on their backs, it’s easy to see how some can view the Walk for Peace as a movement. Whether it’s a movement for change or a reminder that good is still in the world, we must remember that it’s also sounding a tocsin.
It may seem like the Walk for Peace is an example of passive resistance, but there is nothing specifically being mentioned to protest. In fact, that’s part of the whole, overwhelmingly important point we should be getting. With no protest, it’s just a need for peace to be rejoiced and the world to be aligned once more.
A press release written after a conference conducted in October 2025 allows civilians to hear from the monks themselves and understand why the Walk for Peace is happening.
“We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us,” said Bhikkhu Pannakara, spiritual leader of the Walk for Peace. “The Walk for Peace is a simple yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole.”
It’s hard to find a balance between everything happening in the world and our own daily lives. However, with the Walk for Peace being so prominent in a time that feels reluctantly depressing, it’s a chance to take the time to step back and pause.
As a society, we should heed their warning. If the world continues to be unbalanced and out of control, who knows what will happen for generations to come? We should take their peace walk as a universal reason to change what we put into the world and take out of it. The Walk for Peace is more than just a way to spread kindness; it’s a way to realize we have to make a change.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HITS BUMP AGAINST NOTRE DAME, SNAPS 7-GAME WIN STREAK
Alex Winn | Sports Staff Writer
Turnovers plagued the Hokies against the Fighting Irish.
Virginia Tech women’s basketball suffered a setback against Notre Dame on Thursday, losing 80-70, due to turnovers in the second half and a cold stretch in the last four minutes.
The Hokies (18-6, 8-4 ACC) held a two-point lead with less than four minutes left, yet failed to extend their seven-game winning streak, hitting only one more shot the rest of the way. The Fighting Irish (15-8, 7-5 ACC) capitalized on Tech’s shooting slump and made all of their last four shots to help finish off a 14-2 game-sealing run in the final 3:41.
One glance at the final stat sheet shows that turnovers sunk Virginia Tech on Thursday. The Hokies turned the ball over 21 times, their most in a game this season. Tech forward Kilah Freelon accounted for a team-high eight of those turnovers, while also scoring nine points and corralling 13
rebounds. Tech’s turnovers led to 29 points for the Fighting Irish, a crucial swing in a game decided by 10 points.
The Hokies’ offense was once again led by its duo of guard Carleigh Wenzel and forward Carys Baker, who combined for 40 points. Baker continued her torrid stretch, picking up her 19th game of the season with a double-figure point total, her ninth straight game in double figures and her eighth game this season with 20 or more points.
Wenzel kicked off the Hokies’ strong start, finishing the first quarter with 11 points on 4-for-7 from the field and helping the Hokies end the quarter up 21-14. The Hokies’ defense continued to suffocate the Fighting Irish, holding them to 32.4% from the field in the first half and only 30 points, giving the Hokies a six-point lead entering halftime.
The Hokies’ defense was specifically focused on Notre Dame’s — and the ACC’s
— leading scorer, guard Hannah Hidalgo. Virginia Tech’s defense held the junior guard to 4-for-21 from the field and held her to zero-made shots in both the first and third quarters. However, she found ways to get her points, mainly by going a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe.
The third quarter was different in many ways for both squads. The Fighting Irish broke through the restricting Hokies’ defense. Notre Dame shot 9-for-19 from the field and 3-for-7 from deep, while forcing 10 Hokies turnovers and scoring 19 of their 25 points in the quarter off turnovers. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, saw its six-point lead vanish and went into the fourth quarter down by four.
With Hidalgo’s scoring stiffening, the rest of the Fighting Irish’s lineup all contributed to a key ACC victory. Notre Dame only had six players in the rotation, but it shared the
wealth with everyone scoring in double figures and kept the scoring relatively balanced; no player exceeded 16 points or finished with less than 11 points.
In the final period, Notre Dame increased its lead to five before the Hokies eventually made it a tie game at 66 with six minutes left after guard Samyha Suffren hit a free throw. Neither team scored until Wenzel converted two free throws at 4:02 to give the Hokies their first lead in more than 10 minutes.
That was the last lead for Virginia Tech as the game slipped away in the final minutes. Notre Dame picked up its seventh ACC win in 80-70 fashion.
The Hokies face a tough challenger in their next contest. They’ll host NC State on Sunday, Feb. 8, at noon ET on ACC Network.
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STUMBLES IN SECOND QUARTER, LOSES TO NC STATE
Sam Mostsow | Sports Editor
The Wolfpack mounted a 21-2 run in the second quarter.
Virginia Tech women’s basketball and NC State were tied at 19 after the first quarter. Then, the Wolfpack exploded in the second quarter to secure an 82-62 win over the Hokies in Cassell Coliseum on Sunday.
NC State (17-7, 10-3 ACC) executed a 21-2 run, during which Tech’s (18-7, 8-5 ACC) only points came via two free throws from guard Carleigh Wenzel. Wolfpack guards Devyn Quigley and Zamareya Jones both hit 3-pointers during that stretch, while guard Zoe Brooks, forward Khamil Pierre and center Tilda Trygger hit shots from short- or mid-range.
Aside from the second quarter, Virginia Tech held its own against another bubble team. The teams were tied at 19 after the first period, then NC State only outscored the Hokies by three in the second half.
But the second frame, during which the Wolfpack scored 17 more points than Tech, proved decisive.
“Disappointed with our defense this afternoon,” said Virginia Tech head coach Megan Duffy. “We knew that we probably had to have our best defensive effort of the season… I thought we were a step slow in our scout and we just had too many breakdowns. I thought we had some good moments throughout the game, but overall, not enough.”
Wenzel was Tech’s best scoring option, but her teammates did not generate the production needed to knock off a strong Wolfpack squad. Wenzel finished with 22 points — including a 3-for-6 rate from deep — and three assists, though she committed six turnovers.
Tech forward Kilah Freelon added 14
points and grabbed 18 rebounds, the latter of which tied her career best. She blocked two shots, grabbed two steals and converted seven of her 13 shot attempts.
“A lot of it came from, honestly, wanting to be more aggressive than they were,” Freelon said. “... I want us to have as many opportunities as possible.”
As a team, the Hokies shot 38% from the floor, including a 22% clip from behind the arc. They only got to the free-throw line eight times, and hit four of those shots.
State shot 46% across the 40 minutes, including 37.5% in 3-pointers. Pierre and Brooks both tallied 25 points, and Brooks earned 13 of them at the charity stripe.
“I think I’m best when I’m aggressive and constantly attacking,” Brooks said. “I think it’s very hard to stop me from going to the basket, and if you do stop me, I can
always find a teammate.”
Virginia Tech will travel to the West Coast for the first time since Stanford and Cal joined the ACC ahead of the 2024-25 season. The first game against the Cardinal will take place on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET. After back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and NC State, Duffy said she is eager to refocus.
“What I just told the locker room is we have to really flip the mirror, look at ourselves from coaches to players and reset ourselves with our effort,” Duffy said. “We can get better at the basketball part. Maybe it’s good to get on the road, head out to the West Coast and see what we’re made of out there.”
MEN’S BASKETBALL FALTERS ON THE ROAD AGAINST NC STATE
Brody Bryan | Sports Staff Writer
The Wolfpack’s offense separated itself down the stretch.
Virginia Tech couldn’t overcome a sloppy first half and an efficient shooting day from NC State on Saturday, falling to the Wolfpack, 82-73.
The Hokies (16-8, 5-6 ACC) jumped out to a 3-2 advantage 36 seconds into the game, but it was their only lead of the afternoon.
The Wolfpack (18-6, 9-2 ACC) separated itself throughout the rest of the half, growing a lead as large as 14, and despite whittling it down to as little as six, Tech faced its second-largest halftime deficit of the year (12 points).
“We had our chances,” said Hokies head coach Mike Young. “Didn’t play very well in the first half, down 12 at the half. We were terrible offensively, had nine (first-half) turnovers, which you can’t do anywhere, certainly not on the road against a good team.”
Tech cut the deficit to just three points on a Jaden Schutt three-pointer with 11:20 to play in the second half, but again, it wasn’t enough to break through. The Wolfpack once more stretched its lead to double digits, and the Hokies ultimately fell by nine.
“Not quite good enough against the Wolfpack,” Young said. “Not quite good enough on the road.”
Amani Hansberry paced the Hokies in scoring for the second consecutive game with 19 points, bouncing back from a 1-of-9 shooting performance in the first half. NC State’s Quadir Copeland and Paul McNeil Jr. led all players with 21 apiece, though Tech held star senior Darrion Williams to four points on one basket.
“I thought we did, all in all, a good job with (McNeil Jr.),” Young said. “They
weren’t catch-and-shoot plays. He was coming off of some actions, and we tried to go underneath, which you can’t do with a kid like him. We got stuck, and the ball gets in the basket.
“Williams didn’t have his best stuff. He’s still a presence. He was still a factor in that game. He’s such a talented basketball player.”
Another key contributor without his best stuff on Saturday was Hokies guard Ben Hammond, who finished scoreless for the first time this season. Hammond was 0-for-9 from the field and tallied four assists.
“They want to take the ball out of his hands,” Young said. “They want somebody else to bring it up the floor, which we’ve seen. As good as he’s been, he wasn’t great today. That will change direction here quickly. He’s really good.”
On the other hand, Neoklis Avdalas regained some footing, scoring 14 points and going 5-of-6 from the field after a tough January for the Greek freshman.
“I thought he was great,” Young said. “He looked more like himself.”
The Wolfpack had an impressive day from the field, shooting 28-of-54 (51.9%) and 9-of-21 (42.9%) from three. Tech was 27-of-63 (42.9%) and 7-of-25 (28%), respectively.
Saturday marked the third consecutive game NC State has shot 40% or better from beyond the arc.
“What (NC State has) done from three over the last three or four games is quite impressive,” Young said. “When they lose, they make eight. When they win, they make 12 or 16.”
In the end, Tech came close, but never quite got over the hump. Young said NC State’s style of play allowed the Hokies to stay in the game, but punished them for missed opportunities.
“This is not a criticism — they’re going to play the way they’re going to play,” Young said. “They will give you the opportunity to get back. They’ll also punch you again if you don’t take advantage of those opportunities.”
The Hokies will travel to Clemson next to take on the Tigers on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. ET.
IMAGE COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH ATHLETICS
Image Courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics