Hokies add three for 2017-18

Brooks announces first signing class at Tech

December 16, 2016

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head women’s basketball coach Kenny Brooks announced Thursday the signing of Celeste Akoro, Aisha Sheppard and Sierra Votaw to National Letters of Intent for the 2017-18 season.

Celeste Akoro
6-3, Center/Forward
Ofallon Township High School
Ofallon, Ill.
Best Choice IN

Prior to Virginia Tech: Tabbed a three-star recruit by ESPN HoopGurlz and ranks 14th among post players… Was a Southwestern third team all-conference selection and is a two-time All-State Honorable Mention honoree… Averaged nine points, nine rebounds and five blocks per game as a junior… Second Team All-STL/Southern Ill. after leading the region in blocks… Set an all-time record with 14 blocks in a playoff game… Played club ball for Best Choice United and led the team to victory at the Brandon Clay Summer Invitational… Helped the team to the finals at Deep South Classic… Was a u17 Olympic Trials finalist in 2016 and was a third round finalist at the u16 trials in 2015.

Personal: Celestine Abigale Akoro… Born June 15, 1999… Daughter of Ian and Melanie Akoro… Has two siblings Isabelle and Ben… Mother played basketball at Chester High where she still holds the all-time scoring, rebound and blocks records and went on to play at John Logan and Pittsburg State… Father played rugby and basketball in Kenya before coming to the U.S. to compete for Pittsburg State… Plans to major in pharmacy.

Aisha Sheppard
5-10, Guard
St. John’s College High School
Alexandria, Va.
Virginia Diamonds

Prior to Virginia Tech: Tabbed a five-star recruit by ESPN HoopGurlz and ranks 34th overall and as the No. 10 guard… Ranked No. 45 by All-Star Girls Report… Listed as a four-star recruit and ranked 85th by Prospects Nation… Was a first team WCAC selection and second team All-DC… All-USA Washington DC first team selection… Averages 14 points and five assists per game… Hit six 3-pointers in one game for St. John’s College HS (No. 10 team in Va.), leading team to win over Mary Ryken… Helped St. John’s to the DCSAA Championship in 2016… Earned MVP awards at She’s Got Game and Art Turner Tournaments… Played club ball for Virginia Diamonds and Maryland Terps, winning MVP, Best Offensive Player and Coaches’ Award.

Personal: Aisha Marie Sheppard… Born Nov. 13, 1998… Daughter of Darlene Sheppard… Has three siblings: Derrell, Marquis and Siedah… Plans to major in communications/broadcast journalism.

Sierra Votaw
6-2, Forward
Harrells Christian High School
Harrells, N.C.
Hoop Dreams

Prior to Virginia Tech: Ranked a three-star recruit by ESPN HoopGurlz and is tabbed No. 61 forward… Named All-Conference as a sophomore and junior and was the Conference Player of the Year, earning All-State and All-Conference honors… Averages 20.4 points per game… Played club ball for Hoop Dreams.

Personal: Sierra Ann Votaw… Born Aug. 19, 1997… Daughter of Troy Votaw and Ann Schwader… Has three siblings: Dakota, Shayenn and Scarlett… Cousin Morgan Johnson was a two-time Second Team All-Big Ten selection at the University of Iowa and played professionally overseas… undecided on a major.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's basketball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WBBall