Hokie news, notes, and links

• Hokie volleyball coach Chris Riley discussed the recently released schedule and the team’s goal of making the NCAA Tournament in the 2010 season. Click here to watch the video on hokiesports.com
• Seth Greenberg informed the world via Twitter (@HeadHokie) that point guard Ty Garland has qualified for admission to Virginia Tech.  This is excellent news for both Ty and the Hokies. 

What it means: The Hokies will have 3 scholarship point guards for the first time since the 2007-2008 season when walk-on Marcus Travis was awarded a scholarship for his senior season.  In each of the past two seasons, Tech has lost a point guard to injury (Delaney in 2009-10, Hank Thorns in 2008-2009) and had to play a game with only one true point guard.  Having Ty will also give Greenberg two point guards with game experience going into the post-Delaney era after next season.

• 2011 verbal commits Marquis Rankin and CJ Barksdale will be playing together for their senior year by transferring to Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA.  The will be joined by other highly ranked recruits in PJ Hairston (UNC) and Dezmine Wells (Xavier).

What it means: Chemistry.  Recall how smoothly Jeff Allen and Dorenzo Hudson run the backdoor cut, or the elbow shot that Dorenzo hit countless times last season off Jeff’s down screen (first and last offensive play, respectively, in this video)?  Like Allen and Hudson did in 06-07, Marquis Rankin and CJ Barksdale will have a full season to build up some chemistry before coming to Blacksburg.  As a bonus, they will be playing with other top 100 recruits, giving them experience playing with and against the best of the best.  This experience will be very valuable as Greenberg tries to replace the 2011 senior class next year.

• The Hokies are garnering a lot of respect in some early preseason polls.  ACC Sports Journal and Bleacher Report both have VT at number 2 in the ACC behind only Duke.  Several national Top-25 polls also include the Hokies in their rankings.  The Hokies have not started a season ranked in the top 25 since the 1995-1996 season.
• While you’re waiting for September 6th to roll around, head over to The Key Play and check out the Hokie Memorabilia Contest.  There’s already some cool stuff on there but you have until August 1st to add to the collection!