Shown here in action against the Hokies, Emily Lytle, a transfer from Liberty University who was First Team All-Conference in 2020-21 and scored more than 1,000 points in Lynchburg, will play for Virginia Tech this coming year.
The Virginia Tech women’s basketball team secured another signee for the 2021-22 season with the addition of Emily Lytle Friday afternoon. Lytle starred at Liberty for the past three years and scored 1,153 points.
She was one of five recruits who will be joining the Hokies this season as announced by head coach Kenny Brooks.
“I chose Tech because I’ve played against them the past three years, and I’ve always admired their style of play,” Lytle said about signing with the Hokies. “I know that Coach Brooks is a family man and a man of faith, and I felt at peace throughout the whole recruiting process at Virginia Tech. I am excited to start this next chapter.”
Lytle, a 5-foot-11 guard/forward from Memphis, led the Flames to a 19-8 record in 2020-21, earning First Team All-Conference honors after averaging 14.7 points per game and five rebounds for the season, both career highs.
For her career in Lynchburg, Lytle started in 86 of her 90 games, scored 12.8 points per game, and pulled down 4.4 rebounds. She has a career shooting percentage of 42%, which includes 35% from 3-point range.
Lytle suited up against the Hokies in each of the last three seasons, scoring 13, 19 and 14 points respectively in those contests.
Her name is in the Flame record books in several places as she is 13th all-time in scoring and owns the single-season record for 3-pointers with 64 in 2019. Her 39.1% mark from beyond the arc in 2021 is the best for a single season, and her 34 consecutive made free throws in 2020 is also a program best.
Brooks also Thursday morning announced the signing of four other players to the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team: Kayana Traylor, Rochelle Norris, Destiney McPhaul and Brianna Turnage.
Traylor and Norris arrive in Blacksburg as transfers from Purdue and West Virginia respectively, while McPhaul and Turnage are completing their high school careers this spring.
KAYANA TAYLOR
Traylor is a 5-foot-9 point guard from Martinsville, Indiana has spent the last three seasons at Purdue. She led the Boilermakers in scoring this past season, averaging 15.0 points. She made 26 3-pointers and averaged 3.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds per contest. Her career-high in scoring came on February 21 at Michigan State when she scored 31 points on 10 of 20 shooting from the field.
She was named to the Big Ten coaches’ second team in 2021 and is the 18th player in Purdue history to dish out 300 career assists.
For her career in West Lafayette, Traylor started 70 of 89 games for the Boilermakers and averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 assists and 2.2 rebounds.
BROOKS ON TRAYLOR:
“I’m super excited with the addition of Kayana Traylor to our program. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that can propel our program to the next level. She’s a versatile guard who can play multiple positions. Her skill set fits our philosophy and I think that she will blend in very nicely with our current group.”
ROCHELLE NORRIS
Norris, a 6-foot-5 center from Stafford, Va., played for three seasons at West Virginia where she played in 39 games and started 11 times.
“I chose Virginia Tech because I believe they have the ability to get me to where I need to be,” Norris said of her commitment. “It’s a family atmosphere and I’m excited to get started.”
For her WVU career, Norris averaged 3.4 points and four rebounds. During her prep career, Norris was rated the No. 70 overall recruit in the 2018 HoopGurlz Recruiting rankings and 15th for post players.
BROOKS ON NORRIS
“I’m excited to welcome Rochelle Norris ‘back home’ as she joins our program. Rochelle is a Virginia native and will add much-needed size inside and she will be a tremendous complement to Elizabeth Kitley. I foresee them playing together, and Rochelle’s toughness and experience can help solidify our front court.
DESTINY MCPHAUL
McPhaul is a 5-foot-8 point guard from Philadelphia rated an 89 overall by ESPN.
This year she led West Catholic to the District 12 AAA city title and participated in the Who’s Next All-American basketball game in early April. She has also been named MaxPreps Pennsylvania High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year and was named the 2021 Philadelphia Catholic League MVP.
BROOKS ON MCPHAUL
“Destiney is a very talented guard who comes from a winning program. Her talent and toughness were on full display as she willed her team to a state championship. I’m looking forward to her contributions to Virginia Tech women’s basketball.”
BRIANNA TURNAGE
Turnage is a 6-foot-1 wing player from Atlanta who is rated by ESPN as the No. 61 overall recruit in the nation. She is a 4-star, graded a 91.
Her high school, Westlake, won the GEICO high school national championship and the State of Georgia 4A state title in 2021. Turnage earned Second Team All-Metro honors for her play.
BROOKS ON TURNAGE
“We are very excited to welcome Brianna to our Virginia Tech family. She is a proven winner as she was instrumental in winning four state championships in Georgia, and she capped her senior season off with the national championship. Brianna is an athletic forward whose potential is off the charts.”
–VT Athletics
