Coach Duffy's Program Gets Key Transfer Additions, Elite HS Products

Virginia Tech women's basketball and new head coach Megan Duffy continue to build a strong roster for the 2025–26 season, landing three significant transfer additions this offseason: Melannie Daley from Northwestern, Kilah Freelon from Texas Tech, and Sophie Swanson from Purdue. All three bring experience, athleticism, and depth to a Hokies team reloading after a season of roster turnover.

The Hokies also landed a trio of highly touted recruits in Kate Sears (PG, North Carolina), Amani Jenkins (F, Iowa), and Aniyah Trent (F, Ohio). Both Sears and Jenkins are ranked inside the top 75 nationally via the 247Sports Composite ranking, while Trent garnered a 4-star ranking from 247Sports and HoopGirlz.

Northwestern guard Melannie Daley announced her commitment to Virginia Tech on Instagram, marking the Hokies' third transfer portal pickup of the offseason. The 5-foot-11 senior heads to Blacksburg after four seasons in Evanston, where she was a key contributor for the Wildcats. 

In 2024–25, Daley averaged 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, ranking second on her team in scoring and assists. Despite starting just two of 27 games (the final two), she led Northwestern in field goals made (135) while shooting an efficient 46.7% from the floor and 80% from the free-throw line. Daley found her rhythm midway through the season, scoring double figures in six consecutive December games, highlighted by 20 points against Penn State and 22 against Maryland. Though her stats slightly dipped from a strong junior year (13.3 points, 49.4% FG), she closed out the 2023–24 campaign with performances of 24, 20, and 21 points against Indiana, Rutgers, and Purdue, respectively.

Over 94 games across her collegiate career, Daley totaled 937 points, 216 rebounds, 165 assists, and 105 steals. Known for her mid-range game and ability to attack the rim, she has only attempted 22 three-pointers in her career, making six. A native of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., Daley was an all-league and all-section performer at Hastings High School and played AAU for Empire State Hoops. Virginia Tech originally recruited her out of high school and was able to seal her transfer despite strong interest from programs like Cal, Florida State, NC State, Penn State, and Vanderbilt.

On April 24, Virginia Tech added another versatile athlete in Kilah Freelon, a 6-foot-1 senior forward from Texas Tech. She brings physicality, athleticism, and a competitive edge to the Hokies' frontcourt rotation. Freelon appeared in 36 games for the Red Raiders last season, starting 17 — including the final 15 games — and averaged 4.6 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 55.3% from the field. 

Known for her rebounding ability and inside presence, she also has the agility of a guard, despite a 1-for-15 career record from beyond the arc. A consistent role player throughout her time in Lubbock, Freelon notched four career double-doubles, 14 double-figure scoring games, and six games with double-digit rebounds. One of her standout performances came in the 2024–25 regular-season finale, where she tallied 15 points and nine rebounds against Colorado. She also contributed significantly In Texas Tech’s WBIT second-round win over Virginia Tech in Cassell Coliseum, posting seven points, six rebounds, two steals, an assist, and a block.

Her stats took a slight dip from a productive 2023–24 season (7.9 points, 5.7 rebounds), mostly due to a decrease in playing time. Freelon was a December standout that year, scoring double digits in six of seven games.

The first portal commitment of the offseason came on April 3, when Sophie Swanson, a 5-foot-10 guard from Purdue, pledged to Virginia Tech. The Illinois native brings two years of eligibility and a shooter’s mindset to the Hokies’ backcourt. Swanson averaged 8.9 points in 19.4 minutes per game for Purdue last season, ranking third in scoring for the Boilermakers. Though she started the first eight games of the year — four of which were double-digit scoring efforts — her role shifted midseason. 

She eventually regained form late in the year, notching double figures in seven of the final nine games, including a career-high 29 points(10-of-13 FG, 5-of 6 3PT) in a road win at Penn State. A former Illinois Miss Basketball and 2022 state player of the year, Swanson starred at Barrington High School, where she averaged 21.4 points and 5.2 rebounds as a junior. A knee injury her senior year delayed her college debut, but she bounced back impressively, leading all freshmen nationally in 3-pointers per 40 minutes (4.8) in 2023–24. Though her 3-point shooting dipped to 30.1% this past season (44-of-146), it remains a key part of her game, making her a valuable perimeter threat for the Hokies.

Kate Sears was a dominant force in the state of North Carolina as a high school star. She won just about every award you can think of, and was recruited by almost 40 division 1 programs. As a senior she averaged 27.1 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 9.3 assists. In 28 games she recorded an astounding 13 triple doubles. The Boone, NC native isn't just an outside shooter, however. She shows a high level of athleticism running point, especially in transition.

Amani Jenkins gives the Hokies a great combo of length + skill as a combo guard. At 6'2", she can do work in the post and also step out as a spot up shooter. That versatility made her a really tough guard for opponents, and will give the Hokies some options with where to play her. She also has shown an ability to pass out of the post, which is something the Hokies were missing last season.

Jenkins is also a proven winner. At Johnston High School, she led the Dragons to a state title with a flurry of double doubles in the playoffs. Then in the offseason, she helped lead the ETG Midwest AAU program to a national title on the Adidas Circuit. The Hokies need that kind of mentality in the locker room in order to reach their goals as a perennial power in the ACC.

Aniyah Trent may not have the national hype that Sears and Jenkins received, but she certainly was noticed by some major programs including Clemson, Penn State, Virginia and North Carolina. At 6'3" she becomes another versatile inside/outside piece for the Hokies. Coach Duffy raves about her ability to do "the little things" right and has shown an immense talent as a defender. Trent also has some winning pedigree, winning the state title in Ohio her senior year at Springsboro High School.