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- 🏹 November 13th - The Chief Brief 🏹
🏹 November 13th - The Chief Brief 🏹
📈 Building, Reloading, and Fighting for November 📈
The Chief
November 13, 2025
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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
Do you believe FSU football will reach bowl eligibility? |
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Happy Thursday, Seminole!
From torching the nets at the Tucker Center to reloading across nearly every roster on campus, today’s edition is all about firepower and foundation; who’s lighting it up right now, and who’s about to. And on the football side, a true freshman back and a wobbly November showdown with Virginia Tech could help decide how hot Mike Norvell’s seat really gets.
Here’s what’s on tap:
🏀 FSU Women Torch Nicholls from Deep 🏀
Education Day turned into a shooting clinic as Jasmine Shavers and Sole Williams combined for 51 points and 11 threes, leading FSU to an 89–64 win behind 15 made triples — tied for the second-most in program history — and a statement double-double from Pania Davis.
🏐 Volleyball’s Gauntlet Week + Future in the Middle 🏐
The Noles hit the road for a ranked showdown at No. 7 Louisville and a tricky trip to Notre Dame after a five-set heartbreaker vs. Miami — all while locking in 6’3” middle Bennett Raterman, a USA pipeline, multi-time All-American, and future anchor in the middle.
🎾 Tennis at Full Throttle: 2026 Schedules & 5⭐ Talent 🎾
Men’s tennis dropped a loaded 2026 spring slate featuring Arizona, Florida, Texas A&M, and ACC heavyweights before the ACC Tournament in Cary — while women’s tennis added a blue-chip trio headlined by 5⭐ JoAnna Kennedy and 5⭐ Nicole Okhtenberg, cementing another nationally ranked class.
🥎 Softball & Hoops Stockpile Top-15 Talent 🥎
Lonni Alameda reeled in a Top-15 softball class, blending power bats, frontline arms, and even a two-sport star in Missy Odom, while Luke Loucks secured a Top-5 men’s basketball class with a monstrous big in Marcis Ponder and high-upside wings Collin Paul and Brandon Bass Jr. — the early core of FSU’s next era.
🥍 Women’s Lacrosse Goes Big with a 16-Player Class 🥍
In just its second cycle, FSU women’s lacrosse signed 16 recruits loaded with state titles, All-American honors, and multi-sport credentials — a true program-building haul that stretches from New York and Florida to Texas and Minnesota.
🏈 Kromah’s Role Growing as Norvell Fights for Finish 🏈
Mike Norvell says freshman RB Ousmane Kromah will be a “key part” of the game plan the rest of the way — a needed jolt for an offense that’s sagged in recent weeks as FSU tries to claw to bowl eligibility and justify patience with its current staff.
🏈 FSU–Virginia Tech: Ugly Matchup, Huge Stakes 🏈
Two worn-down teams, two restless fanbases, one messy November stage: the Hokies want to run it 40+ times behind Kyron Drones; FSU wants to lean on its top-30 run defense, clean up the self-inflicted wounds, and prove it still has enough juice — and belief — to finish for its head coach at Doak on Saturday night.
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🏀 FSU Women Torch Nicholls State with Record Shooting Display 🏀
Florida State (3–1) caught fire from deep, drilling 15 three-pointers — tied for the second-most in program history — to roll past Nicholls State 89–64 on Education Day at the Tucker Center.
🔥 Shavers & Williams Shine
Jasmine Shavers erupted for 28 points (6-of-10 from three) and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Sole Williams scored a career-high 23 points, hit 5 triples, and led the team with 5 steals.
Pania Davis recorded her first career double-double with 13 points, 10 boards, and 3 blocks.
💪 Complete Team Effort
FSU erased an early 10-point deficit with a 13–2 run before halftime, then dominated the second half behind relentless defense — forcing 21 turnovers and out-rebounding Nicholls 41–31.
Why It Matters:
The Noles are now 3–1 and clicking from distance ahead of Sunday’s Military Appreciation Game vs. Indiana, where FSU legend Natasha Howard will have her jersey retired.
🏐 FSU Volleyball Hits the Road for Louisville & Notre Dame 🏐
Florida State (13–10, 7–7 ACC) travels north for a tough two-match stretch — No. 7 Louisville on Thursday (8 p.m., ESPNU) and Notre Dame on Sunday (noon, ACCNX).
🔥 Two Road Tests
Louisville (20–4) enters on a six-match win streak and boasts top-10 status with wins over Stanford and UNC.
Notre Dame (9–13) just took down NC State in five sets and has played spoiler at home before.
💪 Last Time Out
FSU dropped a five-set heartbreaker to No. 14 Miami, despite 19 kills each from Iane Henke and Kyleene Filimaua and a double-double from Nellie Stevenson (20 assists, 12 digs).
📈 Henke & Filimaua Leading the Charge
Iane Henke is putting together one of the best seasons in program history, ranking No. 3 in the ACC in kills per set (4.52) and points per set (5.20).
Kyleene Filimaua remains a rock — a three-year starter with 12 straight double-digit kill performances and nine double-doubles on the year.
Why It Matters:
FSU hasn’t beaten Louisville since 2019 and a win on Thursday would be its first road victory over a top-10 team in more than a decade.
🎾 FSU Men’s Tennis Releases 2026 Spring Schedule 🎾
Florida State unveiled its spring 2026 slate on Wednesday, featuring a strong mix of home action, rivalry matchups, and national tournament play.
🔥 Opening at Home
The Noles begin the season with three straight home dates at the Scott Speicher Center:
Troy & Mercer — Jan. 11
College of Charleston — Jan. 15
Alabama State & The Citadel (DH) — Jan. 18
✈️ Road Tests & National Stages
First road match comes at Arizona on Jan. 21, followed by the ITA Kickoff (Jan. 24–25).
Rivalry trip to Florida on Jan. 30, then back home vs. Texas A&M (Feb. 5).
Select players will compete in the ITA National Indoors in Dallas (Feb. 12–16).
🏆 ACC Play Ahead
FSU opens conference action on the road at Notre Dame (Feb. 27) and Louisville (Mar. 1).
The Noles then return home for NC State (Mar. 6) and defending national champs Wake Forest (Mar. 8).
📅 Down the Stretch
A four-weekend road swing includes Clemson, Georgia Tech, Boston College/Holy Cross, and SMU.
Final home matches: Virginia (Mar. 27), Virginia Tech (Mar. 29), Duke (Apr. 3), UNC (Apr. 5).
The regular season closes at Miami on Apr. 11 before the ACC Tournament (Apr. 15–19) in Cary.
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🏐 FSU Volleyball Signs Elite Middle Blocker Bennett Raterman 🏐
Florida State and head coach Chris Poole added a major piece to the future on Wednesday with the signing of 6’3” middle blocker Bennett Raterman out of St. Louis.
🔥 Big-Time Talent
Helped St. Pius X to a Class 4 State Championship
Three-time all-state and all-district honoree
Three-time Under Armour All-American
Named to the AVCA All-American Watchlist
Member of the USA National Team Development Program
📚 Off the Court
Raterman is a three-time academic all-state selection, National Honor Society member, and plans to pursue sports broadcasting at FSU.
🥎 FSU Softball Signs Six-Member Top-15 Recruiting Class 🥎
Head Coach Lonni Alameda announced six signees on Wednesday — Kaylee Goodpaster, McLaine Hudson, Callee Leffler, Ava Lorenzatti, Missy Odom, and Addyson Ware — securing another Top-15 class, per On3.
🔥 The 2026 Class at a Glance
Alameda calls the group “talent, character, and versatility,” emphasizing that joining FSU Softball means entering a family, alumni sisterhood, and championship culture.
🌟 Meet the New Noles
Kaylee Goodpaster — OF (FL)
Prep Softball All-American, No. 6 player in Florida, and the Bay County career HR & RBI leader. A two-sport star with 1,000+ basketball points.
Alameda: “Talented, powerful, and ready to grow big in Tallahassee.”
McLaine Hudson — IF (KY)
Five-star, No. 5 overall in the 2026 class, 2025 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year, and U-18 Team USA gold medalist.
Alameda: “Elite IQ and national team experience.”
Callee Leffler — OF (PA)
3A State Player of the Year, PGF Futures All-American, and a dominant bat with three straight MVP seasons.
Alameda: “Selfless, competitive, all-in Seminole.”
Ava Lorenzatti — P (IL)
Illinois’ top player and a Top-10 national pitcher, three-time all-state, and a state champion.
Alameda: “Power pitcher with elite upside.”
Missy Odom — P/WBB (AL)
A rare multi-sport FSU athlete — 5A Pitcher of the Year and Top-40 national basketball recruit.
Alameda: “A first for our program — impact on the field and court.”
Addyson Ware — IF/OF (IN)
Two-time all-state, PGF national champion, and a proven utility threat with speed and versatility.
Alameda: “Crafty, speedy, and built for our family atmosphere.”
🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball Locks In Top-5 Recruiting Class 🏀
Florida State officially signed three Top-100 prospects on Wednesday — 4⭐ C Marcis Ponder, 4⭐ SG Collin Paul, and 4⭐ SG Brandon Bass Jr. — cementing the No. 5 recruiting class nationally and the top class in the ACC, per 247Sports.
🔥 The Headliners
4⭐ C Marcis Ponder (6’11”, 300 lbs)
A physically dominant interior force and one of the most unique big men in the 2026 class.
Described as a “behemoth… who moves with absurd fluidity” by 247Sports.
Elite motor, violent rebounder, rim protector, and punishing finisher.
Strong touch on hooks and short jumpers; excellent passer out of double teams.
Plays with nonstop energy despite constant contact: “He just kept smiling and playing harder.”
4⭐ SG Collin Paul (6’7”)
A jumbo creator tailor-made for Luke Loucks’ NBA-inspired, pace-heavy system.
Versatile “point forward” who thrives as a grab-and-go initiator.
Threatens as a rebounder, playmaker, and positional mismatch.
Must continue improving spot-up shooting and perimeter defense, but brings rare size–skill overlap.
4⭐ SG Brandon Bass Jr. (6’5”)
Loucks’ early priority — and a pure bucket-getter with advanced shooting efficiency.
Hit 42% from three on nearly six attempts per game in 3SSB play.
Made 51% of open spot-up threes and 82% at the line.
Dynamic left-handed slasher; must polish decision-making, right-hand finishing, and add strength.
Immediate playing-time candidate due to shooting — the biggest need in the class.
📝 Also Committed
3⭐ PG Jasen Lopez, a dual-sport standout from South Florida, will sign with basketball later this cycle before joining FSU Football as a wide receiver.
Why It Matters:
This is the early cornerstone class of the Luke Loucks era — size, shooting, versatility, and NBA-style upside across the board. Florida State is building a future-proof roster.
🎾 FSU Women’s Tennis Signs Three for 2026 Class 🎾
Head Coach Jennifer Hyde announced the addition of three high-level recruits on Wednesday — Joanna Kennedy, Nicole Okhtenberg, and Ariana Gilbert — calling the group “one of the top recruiting classes in the country.”
🔥 The New Noles
JoAnna Kennedy — 5⭐ Blue Chip (CO)
Ranked No. 22 nationally in the 2026 class
No. 3 U.S. Girls’ 18s & No. 2 U.S. Girls’ 16s (USTA)
2025 ITF singles champion (J60 Medford) & doubles champion (J100 Chestertown)
Daughter of former Boston College/Colorado tennis player Mike Kennedy
Nicole Okhtenberg — 5⭐ Blue Chip (FL)
Ranked No. 24 nationally, No. 6 in Florida
2024 Orange Bowl G16 doubles champion
2022 Easter Bowl champion
Ariana Gilbert — 4⭐ (GA)
Ranked No. 4 in Georgia
2025 Bronze Ball winner in 18s Doubles at National Clay Courts
Multi-sport athlete & National Honor Society for Scholars member
🥍 FSU Women’s Lacrosse Signs 16-Member 2026 Class 🥍
Florida State locked in its second-ever recruiting class on Wednesday — a massive 16-player haul featuring five signees from New York, three from Florida, and a combined eight state championships and seven All-American honors.
🔥 A Program-Building Class
Head coach Sara Tisdale praised the group’s “tremendous talent, energy, and character,” noting that the entire class has already built strong relationships within the program.
🌟 Class Highlights
Multiple state champions, elite club standouts, and top-division players
Recruits span every position group: midfield, attack, defense, and goalie
High-academic performers across the board (National Honor Society, AP Scholars)
Multi-sport athletes with backgrounds in basketball, track, rowing, gymnastics, soccer, taekwondo, and swimming
🏅 Notable Names
Hadley Booth (VA, Goalie) — 5⭐ Inside Lacrosse recruit; state champion; comes from a multi-sport college-athlete family.
Marlo Knox (NY, Midfield) — Four-time All-American with over 350 career points and part of the No. 3–ranked Long Island Jesters.
Alexa Podmilsak (FL, Midfield) — Back-to-back Florida state champion and Inside Lacrosse Top-20 prospect.
Indira Capelle (MN, Midfield/Attack) — All-American with strong national club experience and elite draw specialist pedigree.
Ellie Miller (NY, Midfield) — NYS Class A champion and five-year varsity starter.
🧠 Why It Matters
In just its second signing cycle, FSU continues building a deep, high-upside roster filled with national-level recruits — a foundational step toward long-term ACC and national competitiveness.
🏈 Norvell Says Freshman RB Ousmane Kromah Will Be “Key Part” Down the Stretch 🏈
Mike Norvell made it clear this week: true freshman Ousmane Kromah is set for a bigger role in FSU’s final three regular-season games.
🔥 Usage Set to Rise
Kromah played just nine snaps vs. Clemson — his lowest in a Power Four matchup — but Norvell chalked it up to “game flow,” not performance.
After averaging 6.8 carries through the first six games, he’s dipped to 3.6 over the last three.
Expect that to shift as the staff reintegrates him into the weekly plan.
💪 Elite Efficiency
Kromah remains one of FSU’s most effective players:
310 yards on 52 carries (third on the team)
PFF grade: 87.0 — the highest mark on the roster and Top 10 nationally among underclass Power Four RBs
Fellow back Sam Singleton ranks right behind him (86.8)
🗣️ Norvell’s Take
“He’s really ascending as the season goes,” Norvell said, praising his confidence, detail work, and versatility in both the run and pass game.
🏈 FSU vs. Virginia Tech: Two Unsteady Teams, One High-Stakes November Battle 🏈
Two inconsistent teams, two fanbases on edge, and two programs fighting to finish a rough season with something to show for it.
🔥 Big Picture
FSU (4–5) needs two wins in its final three to avoid a second straight bowl-less year — and with buyout talk swirling, Norvell’s future is the real story.
VT (3–7) already fired Brent Pry and is one loss away from its bowl hopes dying.
Both teams are unpredictable week to week. This matchup? Even more so.
🔥 When FSU Has the Ball — The Run
FSU’s rushing stats look good on paper (No. 11 nationally), but recent form tells the truth: 138.8 YPG since October 4, a massive drop.
Castellanos’ legs are wearing down.
RB rotation has been a revolving door (Sawchuk → Kromah → Singleton).
Malzahn is still searching for a consistent lead back.
But the good news: Virginia Tech’s run defense is wildly inconsistent — four games giving up 225+ yards, four games giving up <100. If FSU gets traction early, this favors the ’Noles.
🔥 When FSU Has the Ball — The Pass
This is where the mismatch is clearest.
VT allows 67.3% completions (No. 124) and a 46.6% success rate (No. 119).
Castellanos’ passing is inconsistent, but at home he’s significantly better: 65.6% / 230 YPG / 9 TD / 3 INT.
Expect deep shots — Castellanos has the No. 4 average depth of target in the country.
Watch:
WR Duce Robinson (43-813-3) — 12 contested catches, almost uncoverable.
💥 When VT Has the Ball — The Run
VT’s identity is simple: run the damn ball.
They’ll unleash:
RB Marcellous Hawkins (595 yds)
QB Kyron Drones (643 yds after sacks, 8 TD)
RB Terion Stewart (395 yds)
Tony White says:
“They will rush for 300 yards if you let them.”
But FSU’s run defense is the team’s strength:
112.6 YPG allowed (No. 28)
Held Wake (85 yds) and Clemson (98 yds) in check
LB Elijah Herring, LB Blake Nicholson, DT Darrell Jackson all grade among the ACC’s best run defenders
If the ’Noles win first down, VT’s offense folds fast.
💥 When VT Has the Ball — The Pass
If the Hokies are throwing, it’s already going poorly.
35% passing success rate (No. 127)
Only 9 passes of 30+ yards all season
Drones hasn’t completed more than 14 passes in a game since September
FSU’s pass defense is beatable, but VT doesn’t threaten enough through the air to force them out of loaded boxes.
And FSU can get pressure — 24 sacks (T-21 nationally).
🧨 Special Teams
FSU eliminates return opportunities entirely:
Opponents: 4 total kick returns on 50 attempts
P Mac Chiumento: one punt return allowed all year
Expect field-position advantage for FSU.
🔮 How FSU Wins
Stop the run early
Avoid turnovers/penalties
Let Malzahn mix run game + deep shots
Keep Castellanos out of obvious passing downs
If they do that, VT can’t keep pace.
🔮 How VT Wins
Run for 250+ yards
Shorten the game
Force FSU into stalled drives and mistakes
Keep this in the low 20s
That’s the only formula.
🧠 Final Thought
Both rosters look exhausted.
VT already hit its breaking point after firing Brent Pry.
FSU may be approaching theirs and the Norvell noise isn’t letting up.
Saturday night’s real question:
Does this team have enough juice left to finish for its head coach?
And that’s a wrap!
Between record-setting shooting, top-15 recruiting hauls, and a must-win matchup at Doak, it’s one of those weeks where the future and the present collide for Florida State.
Whether it’s the freshmen stepping up, the signees rolling in, or the football team staring down a November gut check, the theme is the same: finish strong and build forward.
Enjoy the games, appreciate the progress, and as always — thanks for riding with The Chief Brief every day.
See you tomorrow, Chief. 🍢✨
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