Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Virginia Tech women’s basketball head coach Megan Duffy has announced the addition of Elizabeth Kitley to her staff as the Assistant to the Head Coach, External Operations.
In her new role, Kitley will work closely with Duffy and General Manager Stephen Fishler on key strategic initiatives, including community outreach, fundraising and NIL efforts. She will also have women’s basketball home event broadcasting roles with the Virginia Tech Sports Network radio and ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) teams.
In addition to her external duties, Kitley will be actively engaged with student-athletes, serving as a mentor and role model both on and off the court. She will also assist players in developing their personal brands while navigating opportunities within the evolving NIL landscape.
While supporting the program, her time will also be spent in Blacksburg preparing for her return to professional basketball after stints with the Golden State Valkyries and Las Vegas Aces.
“We are thrilled to welcome Virginia Tech legend Liz Kitley to our staff,” said Duffy. “Liz is one of the most recognizable faces in the region. While we are so proud of her illustrious playing career, we now get to feel her presence in our community outreach, donor and NIL efforts. She will serve as a tremendous role model for our student-athletes on and off the court. We’re excited to have her back to help the Hokies, while she also prepares for the next steps with professional basketball.”
A standout during her time at Virginia Tech, she was an All-American, three-time ACC Player of the Year, four-time All-ACC First Team selection, three-time ACC All-Defensive Team honoree, and a finalist for both the Wade Trophy and Lisa Leslie Award in 2024. Holding 13 program records, Kitley brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and energy to the Hokies’ program.
Henson to redshirt
One of the most credentialed athletes in program and Virginia Tech Athletics history, Caleb Henson, will be utilizing his redshirt for the 2025-2026 season, announced Hokies wrestling head coach Tony Robie. After entering the lineup as a true freshman in 2023, the 2024 national champion and three-time All-American has one more year of eligibility remaining for the Hokies.
“Everyone knows what Caleb brings to our program in terms of wins and losses and the way that he competes, how he represents us on and off the wrestling mat; he’s really been the face of the program for the past three years. But we’ve made the decision that we’re going to redshirt Caleb this year” said Robie.
Just the second national champion and the first back-to-back national finalist in program history, the two-time ACC champion and ACC wrestler of the year will be looking to focus on freestyle aspirations while continuing to train with his teammates throughout the upcoming season.
Oliver to national team
Radford University women’s soccer freshman Ary Oliver has been called up to the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team training camp, to be held from October 22-30 at the University of Kansas Health System Training Center, the home of the National Women’s Soccer League Kansas City Current.
The midfielder is one of just 10 collegiate players and 24 in total to be invited to the training camp. Oliver has started in all 13 matches and has logged a goal and two assists. She was named to the Big South Midseason Watch List earlier this season.
Prior to joining the Highlanders, Oliver was a standout at Woodbridge (Va.) High School. She also played at the club level with the Virginia Development Academy.
The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team is made up of players born on or after Jan. 1, 2006. Outside of 10 collegiate players, the roster is made up of players from the NWSL, USL Super League, other international professional leagues, and youth club players.
The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will take place next year in Poland from Sept. 5-27. The USA is one of 12 nations to already qualify for the tournament, doing so at the 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship last June. The tournament will feature 24 countries.
Big South honors Highlander
The Big South Conference recently announced Lilly Short has been named the Offensive Player of the Week after leading the conference with three goals in two matches.
Short was the difference in Radford University’s victory over High Point on Wednesday, Oct. 22, scoring both goals in a 2-1 triumph. It was the senior’s first multi-goal performance in a Big South match and third overall of her career. The Delaware native added her team-leading seventh goal of the season to get the Highlanders on the scoreboard at Winthrop on Saturday as well.
The weekly award is the third in Short’s career with her last coming in August 2024 as Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
VHSL, DMV partnerships
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia High School League (VHSL) are proud to announce a new partnership to promote safe driving among Virginia’s teens through the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” campaign.
The initiative encourages two simple, life-saving habits every time drivers get behind the wheel: wear your seat belt and put your phone down. By joining forces, VHSL and DMV will amplify this important safety message to thousands of students, athletes, families and high school sports fans at state athletic competitions across the Commonwealth.
“Almost every crash is preventable, and small actions—like buckling up and putting your phone away—save lives,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “We are excited to team up with VHSL to reach young drivers where they are: in their schools, at games, and in their communities. Together, we can build a culture of safety that lasts a lifetime.”
As the governing body for high school athletics and activities in Virginia, the VHSL serves its 319 member schools and hundreds of thousands of student participants each year. Through its statewide platform, VHSL provides an opportunity to promote positive behaviors, teamwork, and leadership, making it an ideal partner in reinforcing safe driving habits that protect students and their communities.
Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and distracted driving is a major contributor, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Studies show seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by nearly 45%, yet young drivers are among the least likely to buckle up. The “Buckle Up, Phone Down” campaign, created by safety partner DRIVE SMART Virginia, directly addresses these risks by reminding drivers of all ages to make safety their top priority.
