Virginia Tech’s standout center, Elizabeth Kitley, encountered a distressing setback on Sunday in the team’s final regular-season game against Virginia. In a moment of palpable concern, Kitley suffered an apparent knee injury during a critical juncture in the game, raising doubts about her availability for the upcoming NCAA tournament.
The pivotal moment occurred during a fast-break layup when Kitley fell to the court and immediately grasped her left knee in evident agony with just over six minutes left in the third quarter.
The injury appeared to unfold without any contact from opposing players, occurring as she landed following the shot. Despite initial efforts to walk off with assistance from trainers, Kitley was unable to resume play.
Upon returning to the sidelines, Kitley displayed a visible bruise on her injured knee, further underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Brooks was asked further about Kitley's injury. He calls it "lower extremity" but no further info re: the severity or a timetable. pic.twitter.com/z7Bkm24pzO
— Anthony Romano (@ARomanoWDBJ) March 4, 2024
Virginia ultimately claimed a narrow 80-75 victory over Virginia Tech, prompting an emotional response from Virginia Tech’s head coach, Kenny Brooks, as he grappled with the implications of Kitley’s injury.
Brooks, visibly shaken, refrained from divulging specific details regarding the nature and severity of the injury, emphasizing his immediate concern for Kitley’s well-being.
When pressed for updates on Kitley’s condition, Brooks reiterated his reluctance to provide further information out of respect for Kitley’s privacy and the ongoing evaluation of her injury.
While he confirmed it to be a lower-body injury, he declined to elaborate on its severity or a potential timetable for her recovery, emphasizing the team’s focus on supporting Kitley through this challenging time.
Elizabeth Kitley boasts an impressive collegiate career, being recognized as a two-time Associated Press All-American and a consecutive ACC Player of the Year awardee.
As a fifth-year center, Kitley has been instrumental for Virginia Tech, averaging impressive statistics of 22.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, and two blocks per game this season, with a remarkable shooting efficiency of 55%. Her contributions on the court have positioned her as a prospective first-round pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.
Despite the setback of Sunday’s loss and Kitley’s injury, Virginia Tech managed to secure the ACC regular-season title with a commendable 14-4 conference record. As the No. 1 seed in the ACC tournament, they had been poised for a strong showing in the NCAA tournament prior to Kitley’s injury.
However, her status moving forward will undoubtedly influence Virginia Tech’s prospects as they strive to contend for a national title, underscoring the significance of her recovery for the team’s aspirations.
