Yes, but I'd say that Penn State got the better of the swap, because Fusco is a more experienced and accomplished player. I also worry--now that the swap as been made--that Fusco is the more complete player, in that she plays hard and, for an attacking mid, is a rigorous defensive player. Fusco has been, what, 2nd team All SEC--I can't exactly remember, but she's recognized as a very good player--which is why she's gone to one of the top programs in the country. Latino was a top prospect but is unproven; in two years at Penn State, she played little, so we don't know what to expect from her. Will she play on both ends of the field as competitively as Fusco? Until we see what Latino can do, I'd say this is a net negative swap for us. But of course I/we hope she comes into her own, fulfills her potential as a Vol.
Finally, it's simply not a good sign when a player leaves before her senior year. It's an obvious act of unhappiness with the state of the team---and that's a judgment on Kirt. It's pretty rare for players to transfer after playing for three years. Younger players transfer (see the two rising sophs we picked up)--and 5th years transfer (see the two we got last year and the Michigan transfer we've gained now). But a rising senior? It happens, but not very offen. She's going to a team with a more experienced and far more accomplished coach--that's just a fact. Her thinking, no doubt is: "I've got one year left, I want to make the most of it." Penn State got to what, the regional finals in the NCAA, I believe. And this is the risk in this age of the portal: Good players will not stick with teams that are not getting it done. Some can say, oh, we were eastern division co-champs last year and have been to the NCAA both years--and won an NCAA game this year (rather miraculously)--but that's mostly PR. The records and results tell a different story; we've gone backwards since being ranked no. 6 in the country at the end of 2021.
Tennessee is a very strong brand in college athletics--it's why we recuit well generally across many sports and we get transfers from Penn State and Michigan and Purdue. We've got a good reputation, great facilities, fans, etc. But you gotta have the great coaching as well; otherwise, all the rest doesn't get you much in the end. Our women's basketball program is a massive example of that.
