Virginia Tech’s women’s basketball team capped the 2025‑26 campaign with a fifth‑place finish in the ACC and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, a milestone that underscored the program’s steady rise under head coach Megan Duffy.
A Strategic Overhaul
The offseason, however, brought a wave of departures. Key contributors Mackenzie Nelson, Carys Baker and Kilah Freelon exited, leaving voids in scoring, rebounding and playmaking that the staff must now address.
Among those who remain, Carleigh Wenzel returns for a redshirt senior season as the team’s leading scorer, providing a reliable offensive anchor. Her presence should help stabilize a lineup that lost its top two point‑guards.
Coach Duffy has responded by tapping the transfer portal, welcoming graduate transfer Alyssa Latham from Tennessee and Division II standout Natalee Goff. Both bring experience and versatility that could fill the gaps left by the departing seniors.
Duffy’s track record of player development offers optimism that the new pieces will click quickly. Her ability to nurture talent was evident in the rapid rise of players such as Sophie Swanson and Spela Brecelj in recent seasons.
The early assessment from analysts yields a C+ grade, reflecting a realistic outlook: the roster is younger, the schedule tough, but the foundation exists for a bounce‑back campaign if the newcomers adapt and a new playmaker emerges before the first game.