Megan Duffy plucks another SEC transfer with a former coveted top 50 recruit

As far as retention goes for the Virginia Tech women's basketball team, head coach Megan Duffy has lost two key players in Mackenzie Nelson and Carys Baker. Both are massive losses for next season.

However, in this day and age of the Transfer Portal, it will take players, but it will also get you players. This weekend, Megan Duffy went after a recruit she was in on last year who committed to Tennessee, but after she went in the portal, the target for Duffy made too much sense.

Virginia Tech picks up portal commitment from Lauren Hurst

Last year, when four-star and Top 50 recruit Lauren Hurst was making her decision, the Hokies were in the mix. She ended up committing to Kim Caldwell and Tennessee. After one season in Knoxville, she, along with most of her teammates this past season, hit the portal. On Saturday, she reportedly committed to Virginia Tech.

A 6-foot-3 forward, Hurst averaged 2.3 points in limited minutes for Tennessee this past season, and she was also heavily recruited out of high school by North Carolina and North Carolina State. She had a career game against Ole Miss this past season when she had 16 points on four made 3-pointers and two steals in 24 minutes.

Hurst is the second former Tennessee player to commit to Virginia Tech in the last week. Alyssa Latham committed last week, and that kind of hinted that Baker wouldn't be back next season. Carleigh Wenzel returns along with a handful of their Hokies from this season's NCAA Tournament team.

There is still more roster-building to do for the Hokies through this portal cycle, and Duffy is reportedly hosting other potential recruits this weekend. Keep up with all the comings and goings at Virginia Tech with our a portal tracker for this cycle.