ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - MARCH 20: Lauren Hurst #7 of the Tennessee Volunteers handles the ball against Khamil Pierre #12 of the NC State Wolfpack during the first half in the First Round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Crisler Arena on March 20, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With Mackenzie Nelson shopping her talents to Rocky Top, Megan Duffy nabs her second recruit from that disintegrated team. Lauren Hurst makes the move to Blacksburg.

Rising Sophomore Talent Moves to Blacksburg

It looks like the coaching staff is going for more than just senior talent in the portal. Coach Duffy has pulled in rising sophomore Lauren Hurst from Kim Caldwell’s disintegrated Tennessee Volunteers for two players from that team. It looks like Coach Duffy is aiming to improve the height profile and forecourt play of the Hokies by pulling in some taller talent.

Lauren Hurst

Hurst is hopefully a long time get with three years of eligibility left, Hurst, who lists as a Guard by On3, and a Forward by others seems to be fitting the mold of what the team is looking for in recruiting for the future.

Former top 50 recruit out of High School, Hurst, at 6’3”, will probably play Forward for the Hokies. She was a Freshman on the Vols last season, so her scoring and rebounding numbers are not going to be stratospheric. She joins Tennessee’s Alyssa Latham in Blacksburg.

Coach Duffy needs depth and she needs some players who might just want to stick around. With Amani Jenkins and Anyia Trent checking in at around the same height, Duffy will have the tallest bench and starters that the Hokies have put on the court in a very long time.

Welcome Home Lauren.

At Some Point the Transfers Will Stop

We’ll keep updating as things happen. We still have freshmen high school recruits to review. The team has gotten busy trying to fill the holes created by the outbound player transfers.

GO HOKIES!!!