Virginia Tech star Elizabeth Kitley ruled out of ACC tournament with knee injury

Virginia Tech center Elizabeth Kitley will miss the ACC tournament due to a knee injury.

Hokies head coach Kenny Brooks announced that Kitley will sit out the tournament because of a knee injury she suffered in the team's regular-season finale against Virginia on Sunday. Kitley exited the 80-75 loss to the Cavaliers in the third quarter after she was fouled on a layup. She did not return to the contest.

"Unfortunately, she won't be able to participate in this year's ACC tournament," Brooks said on the Virginia Tech Sports Network, according to ESPN. "Her health and her safety is the main concern of ours over any kind of game. We are going to sit her this weekend and then reevaluate next week."

Kitley has averaged a double-double this year in her fifth season at Virginia Tech with 22.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists, while shooting 55.6% from the field and 40% from three. Her performance earned Kitley her third consecutive ACC Player of the Year honor and helped the (23-6) Hokies to the top of the ACC in the regular season.

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The Hokies faced Miami in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Friday. Kitley was dressed down in sweatpants during the matchup.

Last season, Kitley led Virginia Tech to the Final Four. March Madness gets underway with Selection Sunday on March 17, set to take place three days before the women's tournament tips off.