Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 13 No. 1 | August 2020

Published by the Virginia Tech Athletics Department • Inside Hokie Sports (ISSN 8750-9148, periodical postage paid at Blacksburg, VA 24060 and additional mailing offices) covers Virginia Tech athletics and is published six times annually. The publisher is the Virginia Tech Athletics Department, 21 Beamer Way, Blacksburg, VA 24061. SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: $37.95 for one year (six issues) and $69.95 for two years. Mail all subscription inquiries, renewals, address changes, written inquiries and complaints to Inside Hokie Sports, Jamerson Athletic Center, Virginia Tech, 21 Beamer Way, Blacksburg, VA 24061 or call (540) 231-6726. Inside Hokie Sports assumes no responsibility for companies and persons who advertise in this publication. Reproduction of contents in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Publisher does not guarantee accuracy of information contained in any advertisement. ATTN POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Inside Hokie Sports, P.O. Box 11101, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-1101. Printed by Worth Higgins & Associates of Richmond, Virginia contents inside.hokiesports.com Jimmy Robertson Dave Knachel Editor Photographer John Sours Contributors Designer April Goode—Hokie Club Rachel Mydosh—Virginia Tech Sports Properties *To advertise with Virginia Tech athletics or Inside Hokie Sports, contact Kyler Pilling at Virginia Tech Sports Properties—540-418-6307 August 2020 Vol. 13, No. 1 12 2 Hokie Club News 8 From the Editor’s Desk 10 Behind the Mic — Jon Laaser The fall will look and feel different, but hopefully the season kicks off – and is memorable 12 Top 5’s for 2020 The Hokies’ defense and the tailback position are two storylines for this fall 14 Football Position Previews A position-by-position look at the 2020 Virginia Tech football squad 26 IHS Extra – Alexander-Walker recaps rookie season Former Tech guard fought through a broken wrist and a pandemic, but closed first NBA season with a bang 28 Volleyball Spotlight – Marci Byers Starting in the high school ranks, Tech’s volleyball coach worked her way up the ladder into ACC job at Tech 32 Monogram Club News 34 IHS Extra – Former Tech athletes make difference in medical field Large group of former Tech athletes, cheerleaders and support people continue to help others during today’s pandemic 40 Women’s Soccer Preview Top four goal scorers return for Tech, which hopes to continuing winning ways 42 Men’s Soccer Preview Seven players who started at least 10 matches in 2019 return for the Hokies 14 26 34 42 40 28