Volleyball Showdown: Garnet and Gold Scrimmage and South Alabama Exhibition Match This Weekend

Florida State Volleyball Prepares for 2025 Season with Scrimmage and Incoming Talent

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida State University Seminoles volleyball program is set to launch its 2025 campaign this weekend with an internal Garnet and gold Scrimmage on Friday evening at 6:00 P.M. this will be followed by an exhibition contest against South Alabama on Saturday at 3:00 P.M. Both events will be hosted at Tully Gym and are open to the public at no charge. A First Serve Party is also scheduled for Friday at 4:00 P.M. within Tully Gym. Tickets for the First Serve Party are available for purchase at seminoles.com/tickets.

A New Era Under Head Coach Poole

Head Coach Chris Poole embarks on his 18th season leading the Seminoles, bringing back established players from last year’s NCAA Tournament team alongside a considerable group of newcomers. This year’s roster boasts 14 new additions, a program record of nine true freshmen, signaling a rebuilding and revitalization effort for the team.

Key Returning Players Set to Lead

Kyleene Filimaua and Iane Henke are poised to spearhead the seminoles’ offensive efforts,returning as the team’s leading attackers.Filimaua demonstrated all-around prowess in 2024, accumulating 173 kills, 66 assists, 27 service aces, 267 digs, and 23 blocks. Having previously filled in as a libero, she will return to her primary position as an outside hitter this season. Henke aims to build on a promising debut year, having recorded 143 kills and 74 blocks while maintaining a .229 hitting percentage.

Strategic Transfers Bolster the Squad

The Seminoles have strategically added key transfer players to enhance their roster. Libero Mio Yamamoto joins the team after two prosperous seasons at Louisiana, where she was a two-time All-Sun Belt First Team selection and earned the 2023 Sun Belt Libero of the Year award. Yamamoto consistently ranked among the nation’s top 25 in digs per set and recorded 13 matches with 20 or more digs in 2024. florida State also welcomes setters Lily Nicholson, from TCU, and Nellie Stevenson, from Montana State. Nicholson, a sophomore, registered 1,108 assists in 112 sets for the Horned Frogs, and Stevenson contributed over 1,000 assists in 2023 and 664 in 2024, along with 68 service aces.

Did You Know? Transfers often bring a higher level of maturity and experience to a team, accelerating the integration of new strategies and elevating overall performance.

Middle Blocker Competition Heats Up

Delaney Ewing, a transfer from the University of San Francisco, will compete for a starting position in the middle, alongside returning players Kelsey Perry and Johanna Sova, and freshman Nehe. Ewing displayed promising potential in her freshman year, tallying 155 kills with a .309 hitting percentage and 83 blocks. Perry previously led the team with 109 blocks in 2024, while Sova added 23 blocks in limited action.

Freshman Class Ready to Contribute

A wealth of youthful talent arrives with the incoming freshman class, including Payton Whalen (Outside Hitter), Ava Lambert and Ariel Ross (Liberos), Victoria David (Outside Hitter), Ryan Murphy (Setter), Stefania Tiec (Outside Hitter), Kaylee Pepper (middle Blocker), and Lexie Mason (Opposite Hitter). These young athletes are expected to contribute immediately to the team’s depth and future success.

Player Name	Position	Previous School/Year
Mio Yamamoto	Libero	Louisiana (Transfer)
Lily Nicholson	Setter	TCU (Transfer)
Delaney Ewing	Middle Blocker	University of San Francisco (Transfer)
Kyleene Filimaua	Outside Hitter	Florida State (Returner)

The Seminoles will kick off their regular season next weekend in Jacksonville, facing UIC on Friday and North Florida on Saturday.

Pro Tip: Following the team on social media (X: FSU_Volleyball, Instagram: fsuvolleyball, Facebook: Florida State Seminoles Volleyball) is a great way to stay informed about schedules, results, and player updates.

The Importance of Volleyball Recruiting

Successful volleyball programs consistently prioritize strong recruiting classes. The influx of talent, as seen with Florida State’s nine freshmen, ensures depth and competition within the team. strategic transfers also play a critical role, bringing in experienced players who can immediately impact performance. According to the NCAA, over 60% of college volleyball players are recruited, highlighting the importance of visibility and performance in high school and club volleyball.

Frequently Asked Questions About FSU Volleyball

what is the schedule for the FSU volleyball team?

The Seminoles begin their season with a scrimmage on Friday, followed by an exhibition match against South Alabama on saturday. Their regular season opener is next weekend in Jacksonville against UIC and North Florida.

How many freshmen are on the 2025 FSU volleyball roster?

The 2025 roster features a program-record nine true freshmen.

Who are the key returning players for FSU volleyball?

Kyleene Filimaua and Iane Henke are expected to lead the team as top returning attackers.

Which key transfers joined the FSU volleyball team?

Mio Yamamoto (Libero), lily Nicholson (Setter), and Delaney Ewing (Middle Blocker) are key transfer additions.

Where can I find more facts about the FSU volleyball team?

You can find updates and exclusive content on X (FSU_Volleyball), Instagram (fsuvolleyball), and Facebook (Florida State Seminoles Volleyball).

What are yoru predictions for the Seminoles’ season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

What strategic adjustments might the coaching staff make based on observations from the Garnet and Gold Scrimmage before the South Alabama exhibition match?

Garnet and Gold Scrimmage – A First Look at the Team

This Saturday marks the annual Garnet and Gold Scrimmage, offering fans their first official glimpse of the [University Team Name – Replace with actual team name] volleyball team in action for the 2025 season. This intra-squad match isn’t just a practice; it’s a crucial evaluation tool for the coaching staff. Expect to see a variety of player combinations as coaches assess talent and refine strategies before the regular season begins.

Here’s what to watch for during the scrimmage:

New Recruit Integration: Keep an eye on how the incoming freshmen and transfers perform. Their ability to adapt to the team’s system will be a key indicator of their potential impact this season.

Position Battles: Several positions are likely up for grabs. The scrimmage will provide a platform for players to compete for starting roles. Specifically, watch the competition at [mention specific positions if known – e.g., outside hitter, libero].

Offensive Schemes: The scrimmage will offer a preview of the team’s offensive strategies. Look for variations in sets and hitting patterns.

defensive Formations: Observe the team’s blocking schemes and defensive coverage. A strong defense is crucial for success in collegiate volleyball.

South Alabama Exhibition – Testing Skills Against competition

Following the Garnet and Gold Scrimmage,the team will face the University of South Alabama in an exhibition match on Sunday. This is a significant step up in competition, providing a realistic test of the team’s preparedness. Exhibition matches are invaluable for identifying areas for improvement before the start of the official season.

Key Players to Watch – South Alabama

Understanding the opponent is vital. Here are some key players for the South Alabama Jaguars to watch:

[Player Name 1]: Known for their powerful serves and aggressive hitting.

[Player Name 2]: A skilled setter with excellent court vision.

[Player Name 3]: A formidable blocker and defensive specialist.

What the Exhibition match Reveals

The South Alabama exhibition will reveal several key aspects of the team’s performance:

1. Team Chemistry: How well do the players work together under pressure?
2. Strategic Adaptability: Can the team adjust its strategies based on the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses?
3. Mental Toughness: How does the team respond to adversity and maintain focus throughout the match?
4. Serving and Passing Consistency: Consistent serving and passing are essential to success in volleyball.

Understanding Volleyball Terminology for New Fans

For those new to the sport, here’s a swift glossary of common volleyball terms:

Set: The strategic pass to a hitter to allow them to spike the ball.

Spike: An offensive play were a player forcefully hits the ball over the net.

Block: A defensive play where players jump at the net to prevent the opposing team from scoring.

Dig: A defensive play where a player prevents the ball from hitting the ground.

Libero: A defensive specialist who wears a different colored jersey and can only play back-row positions.

Rotation: The cyclical movement of players around the court.

Benefits of Attending Volleyball Matches

Attending live volleyball matches offers a unique and exciting experience. Beyond the thrill of competition, there are several benefits:

High-Energy Atmosphere: Volleyball matches are known for their energetic crowds and fast-paced action.

Community Building: Supporting the local team fosters a sense of community and school spirit.

Skill Appreciation: Witnessing the athleticism and skill of collegiate volleyball players is inspiring.

Strategic Insight: Observing the game firsthand provides a deeper understanding of volleyball strategy.

Resources for Volleyball Fans

Stay up-to-date with the latest volleyball news and details:

SPORT1 Volleyball: https://m.sport1.de/channel/volleyball – For extensive volleyball coverage, including news, results, and live scores.

[University Team Website]: [Replace with actual team website] – For team schedules, player profiles, and game updates.

NCAA Volleyball: https://www.ncaa.com/sports/volleyball-women – Official NCAA volleyball website.