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

inside.hokiesports.com Jimmy Robertson Dave Knachel Editor Photographer John Sours Contributors Designer Andrew Bauschelt—Hokie Club Jared Wilson— IMG *To advertise with Virginia Tech athletics or Inside Hokie Sports, contact Brandon Forbis at IMG Sports 540-961-7604 October 2018 Vol. 11, No. 2 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 2 Hokie Club News 7 News and Notes 9 From the Editor’s Desk 10 Behind the Mic – Jon Laaser Prepare for a range of outcomes, no matter the situation 12 Student-Athlete Development First-time letterwinners recognized at ceremony 14 IHS Extra – Lombardi gift to help Student-Athlete Development Money to be used to help student- athletes prepare for future careers 16 Men’s Basketball Preview Experience, great guards and talented newcomers have Hokies thinking NCAA Tournament – again 20 IHS Extra – Alexander-Walker turns heads at Nike Skills Academy The perimeter player spent part of his summer at the prestigious basketball camp 22 Women’s Basketball Preview Senior-laden team has sights set on ending long NCAA drought 26 Women’s Basketball Spotlight – Taylor Emery Talented guard with big plans for this season and for her future 30 Football Spotlight – Steven Peoples Quiet tailback lets his work ethic and play do his talking 34 Volleyball Spotlight – Rhegan Mitchell Vision-related scare puts things in clear perspective for senior leader 40 Wrestling Preview Six NCAA qualifiers return from last season’s ACC championship squad 44 IHS Extra – Lewis wins gold at Junior World Championships Freshman wrestler dominates to bring home program’s first international gold 26 14 16 20 22 44 40 34 30