If you’re a fan of women’s basketball, then there’s no denying that the Atlantic Coast Conference is building a tradition and legacy known for prestige and dominance. At the annual ACC Tipoff media event in Charlotte, coaches and players from across the league spoke on the rising level of competition in the conference.
A nation-best eight ACC teams were selected to play in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, highlighted by the Virginia Tech Hokies who made a historical run to the Final Four.
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“You know, a lot of the attention has been on what we did last year which is a good thing or bad thing,” said Hokies All-American center Elizabeth Kitley. She’s also the defending two-time ACC Player of the Year. “I think for us it’ll be a good thing because we’re not completely relying on that.”
The competition level in the ACC? Stiff, to say the least, leaving the margin for error slim to none.
“You can say this person is in first place, this person is in fifth or sixth but any given night anything can happen and we saw a lot of close games this year,” said Hokies guard Georgia Amoore.
“The ACC is so tough,” said Virginia Cavaliers forward Sam Brunelle. “You can’t be looking too far ahead because each game is a battle. The ACC has the best competition in the country and so if you look too far ahead you will be left in the dust.”
“I think what we’re focused on now is how good can we be this year and take it one game at a time,” said Cavaliers second-year coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.
Despite the tough competition and battles, it’s all welcomed especially for the Hokies who now know hard work does indeed pay off.
“Goes to show that all year we’re battling and preparing for pretty much March Madness,” said Hokies guard Cayla King.
“I thought last year the conference was as good as I’ve ever seen it and for us to come away as champions and do what we did while the league was very strong, is another feather in our cap,” said Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks.