By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief
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Sterling (February 12, 2016) — Potomac Falls High School junior Kylie Thomas has made an early verbal commitment to continue her volleyball career at Virginia Tech beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year.
“Knowing that all of the hard work and long hours paid off is an indescribable feeling,” the 5-foot-8 Thomas said. “I am so happy and thankful for everyone who supported me, especially my parents.”
Thomas’ family played a big role in encouraging her to not only play volleyball at the collegiate level, but also to start playing volleyball in the first place.
“My sister, Makaely, introduced the game to me,” Thomas said. “She would play her games, and I would watch and play with a ball by myself when I was little.”
Now a junior in high school, Thomas has blossomed as one of the top volleyball recruits in Loudoun County.
During her junior campaign at Potomac Falls, Thomas helped the Panthers – and 19th-year head coach Linda Lachey-Helms who has since retired – to their first ever region title and first ever state tournament championship game appearance.
After falling to Stone Bridge in the Conference 14 championship, Potomac Falls won the VHSL 5A North region championship against the Bulldogs before falling once more to their Loudoun County foe in the VHSL 5A state championship.
“My expectation for next year is to make it back to the state tournament,” said Thomas who plays club volleyball for NVVA 17 ICE Elite. “We lost four key seniors and our coach, so I think this is the year for everyone to step up and show other schools what we can do. I expect us to work hard no matter what.”
The Sterling-native will have to take that hard work mentality with her to Virginia Tech in the fall of 2017.
In 2015, the Division I Hokies finished their season with a 19-13 record including a 10-10 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“I think it’s a little early to say right now, but I’m working hard to earn my spot on the court,” said Thomas who plans to play libero for Virginia Tech. “I think I’ll bring some energy and hopefully, become a key passer on the team.”
While attempting to become an integral part of the Hokies’ volleyball program, Thomas will also start to acclimate to the life of a collegiate student-athlete in Blacksburg.
“Virginia Tech has been my dream school since the first time I saw the campus,” Thomas said. “The academics and volleyball program are incredible, and the campus is beautiful. I fall in love with it every time I go there.”
Named first team all-Conference 14, all-VHSL 5A North region and all-VHSL 5A state and second team all-LoCo in 2015, Thomas is ready and excited to take her game to the next level.
“What keeps me motivated is my love for the game,” Thomas said. “It’s easy to keep doing something you love so much.”