Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF, Seminole!

Another dominant week punctuated by a dominant day yesterday for the Noles as FSU teams continue to shine across the board! From statement wins on the court and diamond to record-breaking performances in the pool, there's plenty to catch up on. Let's dive in!

🔥 In This Edition:

🏆 Softball Runs Rule Florida A&M – The Noles cruise to an 11-0 win in five innings in their home opener, powered by Michaela Edenfield’s 4 RBI and Ashtyn Danley’s dominant outing in the circle.

🏀 FSU Women’s Hoops Defeats Pitt, 69-55 – Makayla Timpson’s 20-point, 7-block performance leads the Noles to victory as they prepare for a Top-25 showdown against Georgia Tech.

🏊‍♂️ Michel Arkhangelskiy Sets FSU Record in the 100 Fly – The freshman earns ACC silver with a blazing 44.30, leading a strong showing for FSU Swimming & Diving at the ACC Championships.

🏖️ FSU Beach Volleyball Opens 2025 Season – The Noles hit the sand at the Beach Burg Invitational, facing off against No. 8 LSU, FGCU, and more as they begin their chase for another NCAA Tournament run.

⚾ FSU Baseball Hosts Penn for Weekend Series – The Noles look to extend their unbeaten streak as they return to Dick Howser Stadium for their second series of the season.

🏈 Recruiting Heats Up – FSU lands a commitment from 3⭐ LB Karon Maycock, while 4⭐ DB Xavier Lherisse locks in an official visit.

🔥 Early Betting Lines Released for FSU vs. Alabama – The Seminoles open as 8.5-point underdogs in a massive Week 1 showdown against the Crimson Tide. Can FSU pull the upset?

🔗 All that and more inside – let’s get into it!

🔥 No. 8 Florida State Softball Blanks Florida A&M in 11-0 Run-Rule Win

Florida State (9-1) dominated Florida A&M (3-5) in its home opener, cruising to an 11-0 victory in five innings at JoAnne Graf Field on Thursday afternoon. The Noles extended their win streak to 31 games against the Rattlers and improved to 120-7 all-time in the series.

💪 Key Performances:

✅ Michaela Edenfield – 4 RBI (bases-clearing double, bases-loaded walk), moves to 7th all-time in FSU history with 165 career RBI
✅ Kennedy Harp – 1-for-1, 3 BB, RBI triple (tied for most triples in the country with 4), extends RBI streak to 10 games
✅ Ashtyn Danley (W, 2-0) – 4.0 IP, 1 H, 7 Ks, 1 BB (season-high strikeouts)
✅ Hallie Wacaser – 2 RBI single in 3rd inning
✅ Krystina Hartley – RBI double in 3rd inning
✅ Mimi Gooden – 1.0 IP, 1 K (closed out the game)

🔥 How It Happened:

🔹 1st Inning: Edenfield smokes a bases-clearing double to put FSU up 3-0.
🔹 3rd Inning: The Noles explode for five runs, led by RBI hits from Hartley, McKenzie, Edenfield, and Wacaser.
🔹 4th Inning: Harp ropes a triple to right center to make it 9-0. FSU draws a school-record 14 walks in the game.
🔹 5th Inning: Danley & Gooden shut it down, with Beachum flashing the leather on a diving play at third.

📅 What’s Next?

🏠 JoAnne Graf Classic Continues
🆚 FSU vs. Southeastern Louisiana (DH) – Friday, 3:00 & 5:30 PM
🆚 FSU vs. No. 6 Texas A&M (DH) – Saturday, 3:00 & 5:30 PM

🔗 More on FSU’s dominant home opener here.

🏀 No. 23 Florida State Pulls Away Late to Defeat Pitt, 69-55

Florida State (21-6, 11-4 ACC) used a dominant second half to secure a 69-55 victory over Pittsburgh (11-17, 3-12 ACC) on Thursday night at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

💪 Key Performances:

✅ Makayla Timpson – 20 PTS, 8 REB, 7 BLK (broke her own FSU single-season record with 88 blocks)
✅ Carla Viegas – 15 PTS (5-for-7 from three), clutch shooting in the 3rd quarter
✅ Sydney Bowles – 14 PTS, perfect 8-of-8 from the FT line
✅ Malea Williams – 10 REB, led FSU’s 46-rebound effort

🔥 How It Happened:

🔹 1st Quarter: A defensive battle ends in a 12-12 tie.
🔹 2nd Quarter: The Noles erupt for a 14-0 run, sparked by Timpson, Viegas, Raiane Dias Dos Santos, and Bowles, taking a 28-26 halftime lead.
🔹 3rd Quarter: Viegas buries three 3-pointers in five minutes, giving FSU the momentum to pull ahead 49-42.
🔹 4th Quarter: The Noles put it away, outscoring Pitt 18-13 to seal the win.

📅 What’s Next?

🚨 Florida State hits the road for a Top-25 showdown
🆚 FSU at No. 20 Georgia Tech
📅 Sunday, 4 PM ET
📺 Watch: The CW

🔗 More on FSU’s latest ACC victory here.

🏊‍♂️ FSU Freshman Michel Arkhangelskiy Wins Silver, Sets School Record in 100 Fly

Florida State continued its strong showing at the ACC Championships on Thursday, led by a silver medal and school-record performance from freshman Michel Arkhangelskiy in the 100 butterfly.

🔥 Day 3 Highlights:

🥈 Michel Arkhangelskiy – 2nd place in 100 Fly (44.30), setting a school record and earning an NCAA A cut
🥉 Samantha Vear (6th) & Kayleigh Clark (7th) in 3M Diving – First time since 2020 FSU had two divers in the same ACC springboard final
🏅 Mathias Christensen – School record in the 400 IM (3:44.30), dropping over 3 seconds off his seed time

💪 More Notable Finishes:

✅ Jenny Halden – 16th in 100 Fly (52.58)
✅ Edith Jernstedt – 20th in 100 Fly (52.28)
✅ Logan Robinson – 20th in 100 Fly (45.96)
✅ Yordan Yanchev – 18th in 200 Free (1:33.57)

📊 Team Standings After Day 3:

🔹 Men: 8th place (305.5 points)
🔹 Women: 9th place (232 points)

📅 What’s Next (Friday’s Events)?

🔸 9:30 AM – Prelims: 200 Fly, 100 Back, 100 Breast
🔸 12:00 PM – Men’s Platform Diving
🔸 5:30 PM – Finals: 200 Fly, 100 Back, 100 Breast, Men’s Platform

📺 Watch Live: ACC Network Extra

🔗 More on FSU’s ACC Championship performance here.

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🏖️ No. 6 FSU Beach Volleyball Opens 2025 Season at Beach Burg Invitational

Florida State Beach Volleyball is back! The No. 6 Seminoles kick off their 2025 season in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, at the Beach Burg Invitational this Friday and Saturday, facing North Alabama, No. 8 LSU, Spring Hill College, FGCU, and Southern Miss.

🔥 Season Outlook:

🏆 Coming off a 31-8 record in 2024, including:
✅ 7th CCSA Championship
✅ 13-0 home record
✅ NCAA Quarterfinals appearance

💪 Key Returners:
⭐ Alexis Durish, Audrey Koenig & Anna Long – All named to the 2024 CCSA All-Conference Team
🏅 HC Brooke Niles – Named CCSA Coach of the Year, enters 2025 as winningest coach in NCAA beach volleyball history (263 wins)

📅 Weekend Schedule & Opponents:

Friday:
🔹 vs. North Alabama (11:40 AM) – FSU leads series 1-0
🔹 vs. No. 8 LSU (1:50 PM) – FSU leads series 25-3
🔹 vs. Spring Hill College (8:20 PM) – First-ever matchup

Saturday:
🔹 vs. FGCU (11:10 AM) – FSU leads series 6-0
🔹 vs. Southern Miss (3:30 PM) – FSU leads series 5-0

Can the ‘Noles start strong and defend their dominance against a stacked weekend slate?

🔗 More on FSU Beach Volleyball’s season opener here.

⚾ No. 9 Florida State Hosts Penn for Weekend Series at Dick Howser Stadium

Florida State Baseball is back at The How for a three-game set against Penn from February 21-23. The Seminoles (4-0) look to stay undefeated, while Penn opens its 2025 campaign in Tallahassee.

📅 Weekend Schedule:

🗓 Friday, Feb. 21 – 5:00 PM ET
🗓 Saturday, Feb. 22 – 2:00 PM ET (Sold Out)
🗓 Sunday, Feb. 23 – 1:00 PM ET (Updated Time)

🎟️ Ticket & Promo Info:

🎟️ Tickets: Available for Friday & Sunday at Seminoles.com/Tickets or 850-644-1830
📍 Saturday’s game is sold out (Limited tickets on SeatGeek)
🎓 FSU Students: Free admission with student ID (Entrance at right field gate)

🏟️ Special Game Day Promotions:

Friday – Faculty & Staff Appreciation ($5 popcorn & soda with FSU ID)
Saturday – Military Saturday (Honoring veterans & student veterans)
Sunday – Kids Club Day (Free admission for youth in jerseys + postgame run the bases)

Can the ‘Noles extend their hot start and keep the win streak alive?

🔗 More on FSU’s weekend series here.

🏈 Florida State Lands Commitment from 3⭐ LB Karon Maycock

The ‘Noles keep adding talent to the 2026 class! Miami Central (Fla.) linebacker Karon Maycock has officially committed to Florida State, choosing FSU over Miami, Alabama, Penn State, and several other Power Four programs.

🔴 Why It’s a Big Get for FSU:

✅ 6'1", 200 lbs – Athletic & physical presence at LB
✅ Top Target – FSU was the second Power Four program to offer him in May 2023
✅ Elite Production – 62 tackles, 17 TFLs, 3 sacks in just eight games as a junior

🔍 Maycock’s Recruitment Timeline:

🔹 Offered by FSU: May 2023
🔹 Camped at FSU: Last summer at Mike Norvell’s Elite Camp
🔹 Recruiting Relationship: Originally recruited by Randy Shannon, but new LB coach John Papuchis continued the pursuit
🔹 Official Visit Plans: FSU (June 20-22), Miami (May 30 - June 1) (TBD if he still visits Miami)

📊 Recruiting Rankings (247Sports Composite):

⭐ No. 62 LB in the nation
⭐ No. 90 overall player in Florida (2026 Class)

This marks another major win for the Seminoles in South Florida—a region FSU continues to prioritize on the recruiting trail.

🔗 More on Maycock’s commitment here.

🔒 4⭐ S Xavier Lherisse Locks in Official Visit to FSU

One of Florida’s top defensive backs, Xavier Lherisse (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie), has scheduled his summer official visits, with Florida State getting the final stop before his decision.

📅 Lherisse’s Official Visit Schedule:

🔸 Auburn: May 30 - June 1
🔸 Oregon: June 6 - 8
🔸 Notre Dame: June 13 - 15
🔸 Florida State: June 20 - 22

🔍 Why FSU is a Contender:

✅ Longstanding Target – First camped at FSU in 2023, earned an offer last fall
✅ Strong Relationship – New safeties coach Evan Cooper has been actively recruiting him
✅ Final Visit Advantage – The ‘Noles will get the last word before a potential commitment

📊 Recruiting Profile (247Sports Composite):

⭐ No. 24 safety in the nation
⭐ No. 38 overall player in Florida (2026 Class)
⭐ Holds 45+ offers from top programs

Can Florida State close the deal and add another elite DB to its future secondary?

🔗 More on Lherisse’s recruitment here.

🔥 Early Betting Lines for FSU vs. Alabama in 2025 Week 1 Matchups

The 2025 college football season is shaping up to have one of the most electric opening weeks in recent memory, with several top-25 clashes and games with College Football Playoff implications. Among them? Florida State vs. Alabama, a marquee showdown that could define early narratives for both programs.

📊 Early Betting Line for FSU vs. Alabama:

🏈 Alabama (-8.5) at Florida State
🔹 Mike Norvell and the Seminoles have a prove-it season ahead after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
🔹 Kalen DeBoer is looking to make an early statement in his second year at Alabama.
🔹 Biggest question mark? Who will start at QB for the Crimson Tide following Jalen Milroe's departure.

💥 Other Week 1 Games & Spreads:

🔥 Texas at Ohio State (-3.5) – A rematch of the 2024 CFP Semifinal
🔥 LSU at Clemson (-2.5) – Two playoff hopefuls battle in Death Valley
🔥 Auburn (-1.5) at Baylor – Hugh Freeze enters a pivotal third year
🔥 Notre Dame (-2.5) at Miami – The rivalry is renewed
🔥 TCU at North Carolina (-2.5) – Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut

FSU’s Week 1 showdown with Alabama is an opportunity to flip the script after last season’s struggles. Can the ‘Noles pull off the early-season upset?

🔗 More on FSU’s Week 1 matchup here.

And that’s a wrap!

🏆 FSU teams are rolling, from dominant wins in softball and basketball to record-breaking moments in swimming. Baseball is back at The How, beach volleyball kicks off their season, and recruiting is heating up with major commitments and visits on the horizon.

🔜 Coming up next: Can the Noles take down No. 6 Texas A&M in softball? Will FSU upset Georgia Tech in a Top-25 hoops showdown? And can baseball stay undefeated through the weekend?

📢 Let us know what you think! Hit the poll, drop a comment, and join the conversation.

Until next time, Go Noles! 🍢🔥