February 13, 2024

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February 13, 2024

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NEWS

ANNUAL STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS MARKS DECADE OF SANDS’ PRESIDENCY Ayisha Surani | news writer

Sands reflects on the last ten years and plans for the future.

Friday, Feb. 7 marked President Tim Sands’ 10th annual State of the University Address at the Moss Arts Center, which also highlighted a decade of his tenure.

Sands began his speech by recognizing newcomers to the Virginia Tech Academic’s Dean, as well as longstanding faculty who will be retiring after the 2024 spring semester. He welcomed Lu Liu, dean of the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design; Saonee Sarker, dean of Pamplin College of Business and Sharon Pitt, vice president of Information Technology and chief information officer. Sands also congratulated Major General Randal D. Fullhart for his retirement from the commandment of cadets, the retirement of Dean Alan Grant of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the retirement of Vice President Ken Miller for Finance and University Registrar.

Sands then recognized his goals for Virginia Tech he had made during his installation address in October 2014. These goals included doubling endowment

and annual fundraising, advancing research enterprise, growing the Virginia Tech Washington D.C. campus and expanding the diversity of the student body. He stated that all of these promises were fulfilled.

Sands also addressed the record number of undergraduate admission applications in Virginia Tech history. In fall of 2023, there was a 64% rise in applications since fall of 2019. In fall of 2024, it rose by 11%. “Our capacity to accept students is limited by our on-campus infrastructure and unavailability of housing,” Sands said.

After discussing the lack of on-campus housing, Sands directed his speech to the pointed issue of the affordability of housing for both students and faculty.

In reference to the affordability of off-campus housing, Sands explained that the university had reached out to Blacksburg, Virginia, and outside counties and cities to work on a way to reach a cost-effective conclusion.

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Sands said, “Over the past year we have engaged in discussions with our community partners in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Montgomery County and the surrounding communities … we will announce a launch to this process in the coming weeks.”

Sands observed other attempts to decrease the financial pressures for students through the increase of housing and food. The Virginia Tech Advantage offers financial assistance to students who are in need of it and access to paid internships known as “bridge experiences.”

Sands listed his goals in improving the university on a global scale. He wants to improve the top 100 ranking of Virginia Tech in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

The research institution at Virginia Tech surpassed its financial goal two years earlier than was expected.

For their work in research, executive director of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute Robin McCarley, founder of the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology Ben Knapp, executive director of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science Stefan Duma, and director of Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment Karen Roberto, director of the Virginia Tech National Security Institute Eric Paterson, executive director of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Zac Doerzaph, and executive director of

the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC Mike Friedlander were recognized by Sands The Virginia Tech campus welcomed President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana in the spring of 2023.

Sands talked about the joint wildlife forensic laboratory project in Botswana, led by Virginia Tech faculty member Kathleen Alexander.

Sands addressed external politics that will impact the opinions of the student body.

“We will continue to support free expression and academic freedom while maintaining our stand against antisemitism, Islamophobia or any actions of discrimination against members of our community,” Sands said.

Nearing the end of the address, Sands spoke of the mental health and well-being of students and the programs available. He exemplified the importance of mental health by bringing out therapy dogs that belong to the Virginia Tech Cook Counseling Center and the Virginia Tech Police Department’s patrol pony that attends many events at Virginia Tech.

Sands said the university will look back at the last decade since the start of his position “with pride and turn our attention to the future.”

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OPINIONS

February 13, 2024 PAGE 3

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NORMALIZE LGBTQ+ LOVE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY Catherine Cuneo | opinions columnist

W

h e n yo u t h i n k a b o u t Valentine’s Day, what do you picture? It may be a guy and a girl sitting at a nice restaurant together or a boyfriend bringing his girlfriend flowers.

Advertisements flood TV and social media, enforcing the idea that romantic relationships should only be between a man and woman. Though some may say that this isn’t a big deal and shouldn’t frame the way people view love, representation matters.

To create a more inclusive and representative holiday, the image and structure of Valentine’s Day need to change.

Valentine’s Day has evolved throughout history to become what it is today.

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, the holiday originated from a Roman festival called Lupercalia; this festival paired men and women together to welcome the coming spring. This tradition eventually came to an end and became closer to the holiday we celebrate today. Up until very recently, the Valentine’s Day narrative has

It is about time the holiday of love includes positive queer representation. been more or less the same. It’s portrayed as a time for heterosexual couples to show their love for one another by writing letters, buying gifts and going on dates. Knowing how those in the LGBTQ+ community were treated throughout history indicates this lack of representation. The structure of the holiday has always encouraged a heteronormative society and, in turn, discouraged homosexual relationships.

As a society, we are heavily influenced by what we see. People in power have control over how certain issues and topics are viewed. The American Psychological Association notes that for centuries, people in the queer community were shunned due to societal beliefs. Breaking out of the structure that was built has proven challenging and still isn’t perfect. This is true in terms of representation during major holidays like Valentine’s Day. The media should reflect all types of people, not solely one demographic.

Katie Tuggle, a senior studying

psychology, shares her views on LGBTQ+ representation during this time of year.

“If you see a commercial and it only shows heterosexual couples, then that’s what society says is the normal,” Tuggle said.

Lack of representation is much more damaging than many would think. According to the UK Council for Psychotherapy, the portrayal of LGBTQ+ people in the media contributes to how those in the community view themselves.

Depending on the portrayal, this can have a positive or negative effect on their own selfimage. This is especially true for Valentine’s Day. Seeing positive queer representation encourages people to be themselves and to feel validated. It sheds light on the community and embraces diversity.

“There are so many underrepresented people and communities that aren’t deemed normal because society doesn’t see them enough,” Tuggle said.

Incorporating a queer perspective

into the holiday will benefit not only the community but will also improve society’s view of queer people. Rhody Today explains how hard Valentine’s Day can be for LGBTQ+ couples and how it often discourages people from expressing their love. By seeing LGBTQ+ cards, commercials and media, people are exposed to these types of relationships. Giving queer people a voice in traditions that shape our society expands viewpoints and increases empathy for those in the community.

Valentine’s Day is all about the love we share with those we care about. Sharing this love with the queer community increases the impact that the community has. It normalizes representation both in the media and real life. This Valentine’s Day, recognize and celebrate the many forms of love to create a more inclusive society for all.

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INTERNET ACTIVISM HAS PREVENTED REAL ADVOCACY Will Frank | opinions columnist

I

srael and Palestine, Black Lives Matter, climate change, Russia and Ukraine, and gun control. Many comparisons can be drawn to group all these issues, but one of the biggest conclusions is that either you or someone you know has likely posted on social media about these topics.

In the modern age of technology and the internet, political and social turmoil in recent years has attracted an excess of attention on social media. Many social media users have felt compelled to repost variations of media posts from artwork, photos, infographics, and trends. This is

A simple re-post is not enough to create true political change. often an attempt to spread awareness or to inform the general public about specific issues the user believes or wants others to believe in.

Spreading awareness on the issues a person believes in is important for combating political and social struggles.

Still, the line between helpful information and ignorant reposting of an overused graphic is increasingly blurred with meaningful change.

This type of activism has been coined “slacktivism,” and it is defined as spreading awareness on social media without offering

ways for people to combat the issues. This could be categorized as indifference rather than true activism. True activism on social media highlights a specific injustice and then provides ways for the public to help fix the issue. This can include posting about a cause you believe in and then offering information about donations to be made or rallies to attend.

A study conducted by The Pew Research Center found that 50% of all Americans claim to be politically active on social media, while only 19% have actually “researched information on protest, rallies

or other ways to actively advocate for social progress.” Educating social media users about social or political injustice is crucial, but it does close to nothing without offering ways to implement real change.

Less than half of all “politically active” social media users take that necessary step.

MacKenna Weinberg, a junior studying philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE), spoke of the age of online political activism.

“I see a lot of people posting incorrect information, and all it takes is one quick continued on page 4

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continued from page 3 Google search to see the right information, even if it’s a cause that I believe in. It is critical to be an informed consumer in a digital-heavy world,” Weinberg said.

Social media users are keen to seem politically correct and as advocates but are unwilling or oblivious to take the proper steps to do so. This can be divided into two reasons: (1) it is more convenient to mindlessly repost instead of researching further, whether this was done consciously or not, and (2) “slacktivism” exists as a trend. When many other accounts start posting about a certain injustice, it feels like the normal and right thing to do; why not repost if it only takes two seconds to do so? People need to be more considerate of what they’re posting and evaluate if it is helpful to the community they reach.

A prime example of this in recent years happened after the tragic death of George Floyd in 2020. After Floyd’s death and the reinvigoration of the #BLM Movement, social media activism skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. It was impossible to go online and not see someone talking about what was happening, which is great. There is no room for racial injustice in our society, and raising awareness of it is a pivotal first step in causing change. Then the #blackouttuesday trend happened.

The trend required users to post a black square on their Instagram page with the caption #blackouttuesday. The goal was to make it impossible to engage with any normal social media posts for a day and force users to acknowledge the threat of racism and police brutality.

This ended up backfiring, trivializing crucial social issues and making it harder for real activism and information to spread on the issue. When users wanted to find out more information by checking the #blacklivesmatter tab, it was flooded with black squares, making it challenging to find information and updates. This “Trendy Activism,” or virtue signaling, pressured people to engage in the trend to make sure people knew they cared.

People would post claims that if you did not partake in the trend, you did not care and were not helping the cause. Suppose all you have to do is follow social media trends to be labeled an activist. Why would anyone take real responsibility for protesting, donating, creating, and hosting rallies and other forms of activism?

Creating social pressure to repost the same ill-informed information to engage in performative activism fuels the spread of misinformation and propaganda. This undermines all intent and goals behind

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collegiatetimes.com movements people are trying to aid. Not all information posted is misinformed, and there are tools out there to help decipher what is accurate. Websites like Factcheck. org and Snopes are highly respected investigative journalism sites that research the facts of news stories and share their sources to encourage independent research.

Repression research examines the causes and consequences of actions or policies intended to raise the cost of advocacy and social movement activity.

The rise of digital media has increased attention toward online activists, intentionally or not, raising the cost of helpful activism. Repression is distinguishable because it is designed to prevent, reduce or control noninstitutional challenges (e.g., protest, social movements and activism).

“The pressure to repost and pressure to support causes, when you are not informed correctly, is dangerous to the impressionable young. It could lead to them joining groups and advocating for matters they do not fully comprehend,” Weinberg said.

C e l e b r i t y a cc o u n t s w i t h l a r g e followings have the power to reach vast audiences. If they share these types of posts (which they frequently do), they can also share extremist viewpoints or misinformed pieces of a story, consequently making their audience consume and internalize these messages. The fans then repost what the celebrity did, which becomes a domino effect. Justin Bieber recently reposted on his Instagram account a picture of a city in ruins and added the caption, “Praying for Israel.”

Fans were quick to point out that the city behind the picture was the Gaza Strip. In 2021, Nicki Minaj advertised fake claims regarding vaccines, causing her millions of fans to protest the use of vaccines.

Social media is an effective tool for making news and information more accessible to the everyday reader. Not all news and injustices should be learned about through social media or a quick headline synopsis, nor should they be posted without being read through and fact-checked before. Taking steps to aid the movements you believe in is more impor tant than posting empty info graphics and forgetting about them immediately.

Some positive ways to be politically active online can be using platforms to raise awareness about how to register to vote, posting numbers of representatives and organizations to reach out to, and creating or sharing petitions.

Social media is ubiquitous and the future of mass communication. Using it for political reasons is a great way to inform the world, but you need to make sure what you are posting is informed, helpful, and truthful. Take the next steps to certify the information, continue to advocate in the real world, and not stop after clicking a post online.

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February 13, 2024 PAGE 5

LIFESTYLES collegiatetimes.com

A VIRTUAL VALENTINE’S – WAYS TO CELEBRATE WITH YOUR LONG-DISTANCE LOVED ONE Emma Duncan | Lifestyles staff writer

Check out ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day while in a long-distance relationship in college.

DESIGN CREDIT COURTESY OF EMMA DUNCAN

With Valentine’s Day falling on a Wednesday this year, not all Hokies can see their significant other in person to celebrate their relationship. That doesn’t mean the festivities have to be postponed to a weekend or canceled completely.

There are plenty of ways to show someone you care digitally to make this virtual Valentine’s Day a memorable one for you and your partner.

Movie Night While it isn’t the same as movie nights on the couch, websites/applications/ programs like WatchParty and Teleparty allow several people to watch the same show or film together. These apps are free

to use. Some have special features like chat boxes, and others allow those watching to speak while the movie plays. Compared to hoping you both clicked “Start” at the same time while on a FaceTime call, simultaneous streaming platforms keep couples connected in the moment even though they may be hundreds of miles apart.

Digital Dinner Date Choose you and your partner’s favorite food and order ahead or prepare a meal yourselves. If you’re cooking the meal, video chat during the process because if you’re anything like me and my boyfriend, cooking is more of a comedy show than an art form.

Once you’re ready to eat, you can rate each other’s dishes and enjoy a (hopefully) delicious meal with wonderful company.

To turn this into a real challenge, try making dessert too!

Slideshows or Collages These next few suggestions would make great gifts screen-to-screen or face-to-face.

From personal experience, creating a collage of your favorite memories with your partner is one of the best gifts you can give.

It’s free, allows for enhanced creativity and personalization and is incredibly genuine.

The amount of effort you decide to put into this project is completely up to you. It could simply be pictures, you could incorporate captions and doodles, go scrapbook style or make a PowerPoint retelling your love story in chronological order.

To present your creation, you could meet in person for a PowerPoint night or join a Zoom meeting. Sharing your screen to tell your partner about all the things you love about them is bound to be something they’ll never forget.

Poetry and Crafts While Shakespeare wrote Sonnet 18 about only one woman, the line “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” has been read and appreciated by thousands of people. This ultimately proves how impactful expressing one’s feelings through art can be.

Writing poems for your significant other gives them a physical piece of your love to cherish and hang up in their room or in a special place. The same goes for a song if you’re lyrically gifted. Crafts such as a portrait of you two, a painted frame, a scrapbook or even doodles of hearts and romantic scenes give a similar effect. When the distance seems farther than usual and your partner really wishes you were there, these heartfelt, handmade gifts make you feel closer than ever.

Mail Them a Gift While nothing beats watching a loved

one open a present in person, sending a gift via mail and asking for a recorded video of them opening it can create a sweet memory.

You of course know your partner best, but I think a great Valentine’s Day gift for anyone is a plushie. Incorporate their favorite animal, color, TV show/movie or even food, and give them something to hold until you get to hang out again.

Never Forget the Power of Pinterest If none of these ideas seem right for you and your significant other, Pinterest has plenty of other suggestions! Pinterest is my go-to when I’m making crafts for my boyfriend or thinking of new date ideas.

Do “You Two” Every couple is different, and you and your partner know what kinds of activities you prefer and how you like to celebrate.

For some, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to say “I love you” through gestures and gifts, for which these ideas come in handy. For others, however, Feb. 14 is just another day, or it could be a sad reminder of the distance keeping loved ones from being together.

The most important thing to remember this holiday is that your love knows no limits, and it’s unaware of the distance between you and your partner. Longdistance relationships can be difficult, but they are far from impossible. Use this Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate those truths.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

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PAGE 6 February 13, 2024

NAVIGATING BREAKUPS AND MOVING ON Aidan Mason, | lifestyles staff writer

Lifestyles writer Aidan Mason highlights ways that students can heal from heartbreaks and move on. revelation, feeling that his boyfriend was overbearing. Once they broke up, he felt more free.

Then there’s the academic side. Elliott saw a new level of improvement in their studies, pointing out that high-level calculations and mathematics are subjects he enjoyed more when he was single. Elliott noted their performance and studies were much better than before the breakup.

If you or someone you know has been struggling with a breakup, check out the Cook Counseling Center Resources at https://ucc.vt.edu/. If at any point you have struggled with domestic abuse or violence, please check out the CARES Program for Survivors of Violence at https://www. womenscenter.vt.edu/advocacy.html.

SURVEY COURTESY OF AIDAN MASON

For many on Valentine’s Day, love is both the first thing on their minds and the last thing they ever want to think about.

While many couples are out there celebrating their special day of love, there are just as many people who are dealing with heartbreak.

These feelings are not always simple to deal with. In a recent Collegiate Times poll, 39.5% of respondents said their breakup was complicated, while another 39.5% called it “messy/volatile.” Only 11.6% stated that it was an agreeable breakup and just 4.7% called it peaceful.

But there are many ways to make things easier, some of which are best expressed by those who went through the process.

Breaking up Breakups come in all forms, some less distressing than others. For example, a junior majoring in management, Miriam Olihnenco had a mutual breakup with her partner, as did junior political science major Lindsey Peterson and Dani Elliott, a sophomore industrial and systems engineering major. However, not all stories are

as mutually friendly as theirs.

“I met his grandma the day before, and then he broke my heart,” said Erin McLoughlin, a freshman majoring in general engineering. Similarly, Aidan Edelson, a freshman majoring in multimedia journalism notes that his boyfriend was the one to break up with him.

Post-breakup For some, once the breakup is over, the emotions start to set in and the reality of the situation takes its toll.

Elliott cried following the collapse of their relationship and Edelson and Peterson had similar reactions as well.

O thers pursued different paths.

Olihnenco instantly went no contact with her former partner and moved out.

It is important to remember that all these feelings are valid, and there are many ways to express them. Breaking up can hurt regardless of who initiated it, and there are many reactions one can have.

Self-care Something fundamental after a breakup is learning to care for yourself. Your brain

and body are going through a multitude of emotions, and self-care is essential for many during this process.

Olihnenco started reading more, as well as going out and joining a club.

“I listen(ed) to lots of music such as Deftones, Steve Lacy, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles,” Edelson said.

“I went to the gym and got big,” Elliott said. McLoughlin indulged in “lots of massages” to deal with the aftermath of her breakup.

Moving on As time goes on, the pain of the breakup will hopefully start to fade away and the pieces will be left behind. Like a puzzle, they can be put back together or shaped into something new.

“I learned that I was way too codependent and I needed to find myself,” McLoughlin said.

Relationships won’t always be the best option; sometimes, it’s better without them.

“I learned I am better by myself,” Peterson said. Edelson had a similar

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SPORTS collegiatetimes.com

February 13, 2023

PAGE 7

DISASTROUS SECOND HALF AGAINST NOTRE DAME FURTHER DWINDLES MEN’S BASKETBALL’S TOURNAMENT CHANCES Dylan Tefft | sports staff writer

The Hokies lost their third consecutive game on Saturday.

Virginia Tech men’s basketball was unable to find an offensive spark in its 74–66 loss to Notre Dame, making its path to the NCAA Tournament difficult to see. If the Hokies hope to play in the Big Dance, they will likely need some wizardry during the preceding ACC Tournament.

The Fighting Irish (8–16, 3–10 ACC) snapped a seven-game losing streak with their

win against the Hokies (13–10, 5–7 ACC).

Notre Dame had not won since Jan. 9 at Georgia Tech.

Tech’s offense came out of the tunnel blazing, hitting six of their first 10 threepoint attempts. Guard Hunter Cattoor and forward Tyler Nickel each had two in the first half, paving the way for what appeared to be another great game for the Hokies beyond the

arc.

Virginia Tech proceeded to drain two of its next 14 attempted threes.

Despite struggling in deep shots for the remainder of the game, Cattoor finished the game with a game high 18 points and a respectable 36% rate from deep. Nickel ended the game 2-for-4 from behind the arc.

The Hokies failed to get impact players

JESSICA ROSENQUIST / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokies Head Coach Mike Young makes eye contact with the camera before the tip off, January 27, 2024.

involved. Center Lynn Kidd — who averages 13.5 points per game this season — ended with just two. Star guard Sean Pedulla finished with three assists, his lowest total since Tech’s Jan. 6 loss to Florida State. Pedulla’s 3-to-6 assist-to-turnover ratio was his worst since that game.

The Fighting Irish won the turnover battle, 11–8, giving way to its 12 points off turnovers — to Tech’s five.

Notre Dame’s win over the Hokies was a classic tale of two halves. Tech held the lead for 12:27 during the first half and headed into the locker room with a 39–35 lead.

In the second half, Virginia Tech outnumbered its opponent for the first 57 seconds, then never touched the lead again.

Despite tying the game three separate times during the second half, the Hokies were unable to regain the lead. Eventually, they went down 11-points, which they were unable to come back from.

Notre Dame’s errors inside the final five minutes produced opportunities for the Hokies to create late-game magic, but missed layups and turnovers highlighted Tech’s offensive struggles throughout the half.

Freshman Markus Burton was a nightmare for the Hokies in the loss, excelling on both sides of the court for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame’s guard finished with a team-high 16 points, eight assists, and — most impressively — six steals.

Burton’s steal total was more than all other players combined.

Facing longshot NCAA Tournament chances, Virginia Tech will continue the tail end of its regular season on Feb. 13 in a rematch against Florida State (13–9, 7–4 ACC).

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PAGE 8 February 13, 2024

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LACROSSE CONQUERS HOME SEASON OPENER AGAINST VCU Ellen Muldowney | sports section writer

Olivia Vergano and Kayla Downey each scored three goals.

Virginia Tech lacrosse welcomed VCU to Thompson Field on Saturday afternoon, ultimately winning 10–5.

Attacker Olivia Vergano had a dominant offensive performance, scoring her first two goals within two minutes in the first quarter. She also contributed a game-high three assists. Closing out the opening period with just over three minutes to go, Vergano scored yet another goal with an assist by midfielder Kayla Downey. This gave the Hokies a confident five-goal lead over the Rams to kick off the match.

Downey tied Vergano in game-high

goals, also scoring three for the Hokies’ scoreboard. She shot 60% from outside the crease, which was a team-high.

The second quarter was the driest point in the game for the Tech offense, with no goals scored. VCU mostly controlled the period and cut its deficit to two goals, thanks to attackers Ashley Karn and Maddie Mullenbach.

Hokies goalie Jocelyn Torres had an effective day in front of the net, saving 11 shots by the Rams and successfully clearing 100% of her attempts.

The third quarter was also a bit slower

for Virginia Tech — only netting one goal from midfielder Caroline Little — but were quick to turn it back on for the fourth. Little would go on to score her second goal with another powerful assist from Downey.

Midfielder Claire Schotta was a significant help, returning the favor to Downey, whom she assisted in yet another goal. With over a minute to spare, Schotta scored once again, with the help of Vergano.

VCU had the final goal of the game with a last-ditch effort from Karn, who scored with just six seconds left of the match.

However, it still wasn’t enough to take the

lead over the Hokies. The game concluded 10–5, and Tech started its season with an at-home victory.

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the Hokies will travel up to Harrisonburg, Virginia to take on James Madison in another in-state showdown. Since 2001, the Hokies have only been able to defeat the Dukes once — in their 2022 matchup in a tight 10–9 game.

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HOKIES LEAN ON CASSELL QUEENS IN 74-63 WIN OVER BOSTON COLLEGE thomas bray | sports editor

Performances from Elizabeth Kitley, Georgia Amoore, Clara Strack and Cayla King preserved the Hokies’ winning streak.

On Super Bowl Sunday, No. 16 Virginia Tech (20 – 4, 11 –2 ACC) beat Boston College (11–15, 3–10 ACC) 73– 64 and built a one-game lead over Louisville for the top spot in the conference.

The Hokies started this game like they start most: Three-pointers and Elizabeth Kitley. Back-to-back triples followed by consecutive Kitley scores helped them jump out to a 10–6 lead.

The efficiency dipped for both teams after the first timeout. Both teams were a combined 3–11 from behind the line in the first quarter, and the Hokies led 15–12 entering the second.

Boston College had some success inside on the offensive end despite being severely undersized. 14 of their first 19 points came in the paint and they had a 34–32 edge inside at the end.

Boston College head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee’s issue lied on the defensive end, more specifically, keeping the combination of Kitley, Clara Strack and Olivia Summiel off the glass.

“When she’s (Strack) in the game with

Kitley, now we look like the smallest team, so we really have to find someone and block out and I think we didn’t do that,” Bernabei-McNamee said after the Hokies finished the game with 20 offensive rebounds.

Virginia Tech was still cold from three in the second quarter, but Georgia Amoore knocked down back-to-back threes to give the Hokies some breathing room.

The Hokies took a 37–29 lead into halftime.

The game could’ve gotten out of reach if the Hokies shot a better percentage on the 19 three-pointers they attempted in the first 20 minutes. Outside of Amoore, they shot 0–7 from three as a team in the second quarter. Kitley had 15 points and seven rebounds in the first half.

Amoore took over to start the second half. She scored or assisted on the first six points coming out of halftime. They knocked down three straight triples to begin the second half and their lead ballooned to 11.

After three quarters, the Hokies led

52–46. Strack made her presence felt in the third quarter.

The freshman had some big offensive rebounds and a fun sequence where she stole the ball from a BC player and then had it taken from her before blocking the shot. Later in the quarter, Cassell Coliseum erupted when Strack converted an and-one.

The Hokies opened the final quarter with a pair of turnovers before Matilda Ekh knocked down a three-pointer. That was their only trey of the fourth quarter, but they held on to win their seventh straight versus Boston College.

On a night where they had 17 turnovers, and the prolific shooting duo of Cayla King and Ekh went 5–25 from behind the line, they won by 11.

Coach Brooks believed that if they shot the ball better, turnovers would not have been much of a factor. He also remained confident in King and Ekh, despite the cold night from three.

“I wish Cayla would’ve taken 20 threepointers... I want them to continue

shooting because that’s what’s going to make them better,” Brooks said.

Kitley’s 120th game scoring in double figures and Amoore’s 26 points powered the Hokies past Boston College. Next up, Virginia Tech gets a rematch with Duke inside Cassell on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m.

The Hokies are 13–0 in the Coliseum and have won seven straight since their 46–63 loss to Duke in mid-January.

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