Is Elizabeth Kitley playing today vs Miami? Looking at Virginia Tech center's availability

The No. 1 Virginia Tech Hokies play the Miami Hurricanes on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET. However, Virginia's center Elizabeth Kitley is ruled as questionable due to a serious injury.

Kitley suffered a knee injury on Sunday night against the Virginia Cavaliers. She exited the game and did not return.

Is Elizabeth Kitley playing today?

According to team head coach Kenny Brooks, her status for the Miami clash is still unclear.

"I'll be very honest with you," Brooks said, via Yahoo. "I don't know Kitley's status. And ... that's where my mind is. What I can tell you is hard-fought game, tremendous atmosphere for women's basketball, so I'm proud of that. But beyond that ... my mind is somewhere else."

"I'm not gonna be able to give you guys anything out of respect for her. But it's not a concussion. It's lower extremities ... We're praying for her. My mind is there. To try to give you guys some insight on where she is, what's going on — I know you guys have got papers to write."

"I respect the hell out of that. But I respect her more. I just don't know yet."

Kitley did not practice on Thursday, which isn't a good sign. Virginia Tech hasn't ruled her out for Friday's game yet, with Miami's head coach Katie Meier hoping Kitley will play.

"I hope (Kitley) is available,'' Meier said. "You never see a post player with that kind of time per touch, but she thinks and moves the ball quicker than your scheme. That's why she's the class of the post player in America right now."

Update: Kitley has been ruled out of the game. She will miss the entire ACC tournament.

Elizabeth Kitley has had a strong season

Elizabeth Kitley, one of the top players in the country, is in her fifth season at Virginia Tech.

Kitley is averaging 22.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.1 blocks per game this season.

Kitley has started all 29 games she's played this season. The center had an incredible six-game stretch from Feb. 1-18, where she recorded a double-double in all six.

During that stretch, she had a high of 34 points, with her lowest point total being 15. Kitley has also recorded 10+ points in 28 of 29 games this season. The only time she failed to be in the double-digits was on Jan. 28 against Syracuse, when the center had just six points.

Kitley is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.