Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 2 | October 2018

inside.hokiesports.com 25 HOKIES TRAVEL WITH MARTIN TRAVEL When planning a tour of Europe, a family vacation, a warm weather escape, or hitting the road to cheer the Hokies to victory, Martin Travel is the source for all your travel needs. Visit Your Local Store or MartinTravel.com Blacksburg | 1344 S. Main Street, Suite 3 | 540-951-7854 Martinsville | 156 East Market Street | 276-632-6126 Roanoke | 3615 Franklin Road SW | 540-343-5400 Both arrive with impressive credentials. Mabrey was the New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year on two occasions, while Jones, from High Point, North Carolina, scored 2,000 points in her prep career. Jones probably fits in more naturally as a shooting guard, but will be worked some at point guard. “Dara brings a skill set that we needed, especially in my system where we get up and down the floor,” Brooks said. “She’s a tremendous shooter—one of the best shooters I’ve recruited. But just her demeanor, her ability to lead … she’s fearless, and she’s going to go out there and play with a chip on her shoulder. “Shaniya is well decorated and is learning how to be more of a distributor than she ever has been. She adds depth to that position. She can do things with a basketball that I haven’t seen a player be able to do in the last 20 years. She’s very, very talented. … But I think both of those kids are going to add some depth and give us some things that we need for my system, and I’m very excited about that.” The rest of the roster includes role players Michelle Berry, a post player who started five games last season, Kaela Kinder, and Erinn Brooks, along with sophomore Trinity Baptiste, a 6-0 forward who spent a season at Northwest Florida State College before signing with Tech. Brooks expects Baptiste to help the Hokies in the post. The 2018-19 season marked Brooks’ 13th straight of guiding a team to at least 20 wins dating back to his time at James Madison. His first two seasons in Blacksburg haven’t been easy, especially when considering he dealt with attrition, injuries and family situations in that span, while learning the complexities within a different university. But with his family settled with him in Blacksburg and a talented, experienced team returning, Brooks enjoyed his summer and looks forward to leading this group into the rigors of play this season. “This is a special place, and I want to do my part,” he said. “I want to make everyone here proud and happy to be associated with Virginia Tech, and in particular, Virginia Tech women’s basketball. It’s neat. … I’m excited with where we can go. I’m excited to watch this group develop and grow into a team, and I’m excited to watch them achieve their goals, both as an individual and as a team. “I think we have something special here. I really do. I think we can go out and be one of those special teams in the gauntlet that they call the ACC. When people start talking about the Syracuses, the Dukes, the Louisvilles, I want them to be able to say, ‘Oh dang, we’ve got to play Virginia Tech, too.’” Rachel Camp’s versatility makes her one of the more valuable players on the Hokies’ roster.