🏹 November 28th - The Chief Brief 🏹

🔥🏆🎉 Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Hello, Seminole enthusiasts! Today’s Chief Brief is packed with FSU's standout moments across various sports. Here's a quick preview:

🏐 NCAA Volleyball Showdown: FSU vs. TCU

• Catch the excitement as FSU Volleyball faces TCU in the NCAA Tournament opener, featuring a special homecoming for Coach Poole and Kenna Phelan.

🏐 Volleyball Stars Garner ACC Honors

• Applaud Coach Poole and five Seminoles for their well-deserved ACC accolades, highlighting a season of remarkable performances.

🏈 FSU Football's ACC Heroes: Verse & Benson

• Learn about Jared Verse and Trey Benson's stellar plays that earned them ACC Player of the Week titles after the big win over Florida.

🏀 Jamir Watkins: ACC Basketball Excellence

• Celebrate Jamir Watkins' achievement as ACC Co-Player of the Week, following his impressive run in the Sunshine Slam.

Get ready for a read filled with FSU's latest achievements and upcoming challenges. #GoNoles 🏐🏈🏀🍢🔥🏆🎉

🏐 Seminoles Set for NCAA Tournament Showdown

As the NCAA Division 1 Women's Volleyball Tournament approaches, our Florida State Volleyball team is gearing up for an exciting first-round clash against Texas Christian (TCU) on Friday, Dec. 1, at 5:30 p.m. in Fayetteville, Ark.

Fresh off their triumph as ACC Co-Champions, the Seminoles (23-8) are poised to make their mark in the tournament, entering as one of the nation's hottest teams.

A Homecoming and a Milestone

This match is more than just a tournament opener for FSU; it's a homecoming for freshman setter Kenna Phelan and Head Coach Chris Poole.

Poole, an Arkansas native with a rich coaching history in the state, returns to familiar territory. Phelan, hailing from Fayetteville, Ark., and daughter of a former Arkansas Razorback coached by Poole, will experience a special moment playing in her hometown.

FSU's Tournament History

The Seminoles are no strangers to the NCAA tournament, making their 24th appearance this year.

However, recent history has been challenging, with an early exit in the first round in 2022 against Northern Iowa and not advancing past the second round since their Sweet 16 run in 2016.

This year, the team is focused on breaking this pattern and embarking on a deep tournament run.

The Path Ahead

The stakes are high as the winner of the FSU vs. TCU match will face either Arkansas (25-5) or Stephen F. Austin (29-4) in the second round on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m.

The Seminoles, as the six seed, will be hosted by three seed Arkansas, adding an extra layer of competition and excitement to the tournament.

Stay tuned for broadcast details, and in the meantime, fans can follow live stats on the FSU Volleyball website.

Let's rally behind our Seminoles as they aim to make a significant impact in this year's NCAA tournament. #GoNoles 🏐🍢🔥🏆

🏐 FSU Volleyball Stars Shine with ACC Honors

Big news for FSU Volleyball – Head Coach Chris Poole and five Seminoles have clinched top ACC honors this season!

Coach Poole's Triumph

• Third-Time ACC Coach of the Year: Leading FSU to a shared ACC title and an impressive 23-8 record, Poole continues to steer the Seminoles to new heights in his 16th season.

Seminoles in the Spotlight

• Audrey Koenig: Named ACC Co-Player of the Year and All-ACC First Team, Koenig has been pivotal with her impressive kills, digs, and points per set, alongside accolades from previous seasons.

• Khori Louis: Also on the All-ACC First Team, Louis excelled with a stellar .444 hitting percentage and significant kills and blocks.

• Kiari Robey: Earning a spot on the All-ACC Second Team, Robey impressed in her first ACC season with strong kills and blocks.

• Freshman Standouts: Kyleene Filimaua and Kenna Phelan, both on the ACC All-Freshman Team, proved their mettle with impressive digs and assists, respectively.

These awards highlight the individual talents and collective strength of the FSU Volleyball team. Congratulations to Coach Poole and the players on their outstanding achievements! 🏐🍢🔥🏆

🏈 Seminoles Standouts: ACC Accolades and Key Stats

As the Florida State Seminoles gear up for the ACC Championship Game, two players stand out for their exceptional performances against Florida, earning them ACC Player of the Week honors.

Defensive Dominance by Jared Verse

• ACC Player of the Week: Jared Verse's incredible game against the Gators, with six tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and a career-high 2.5 sacks, led to him being named ACC Player of the Week and the Reese's Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week. His final sack caused a fumble, showcasing his impact on the game.

• Fourth Quarter Heroics: In a critical fourth quarter, Verse spearheaded the defense that restricted Florida to minus-15 yards of offense, with FSU notching four sacks in these final minutes.

Trey Benson: A Rushing Phenomenon

• Three Touchdowns Against Florida: Benson's exceptional performance, scoring all three of FSU's touchdowns, was pivotal in the 24-15 win. His touchdown runs of 1, 36, and 26 yards demonstrated his versatility and ability to deliver under pressure.

• Season and Career Milestones: With 14 rushing touchdowns this season, Benson has tied for seventh in FSU history, and his 23 career rushing touchdowns are tied for 13th. His consistent excellence earned him six ACC Running Back of the Week honors over two years.

FSU's Defensive Feat Against LSU

• Containing the #1 Offense: FSU's defense held LSU, the #1 total offense in the NCAA, to just 24 points, the lowest they scored all season. This feat surpassed the performance of every SEC defense LSU faced and is a testament to FSU's defensive prowess.

Upcoming ACC Championship Game

• FSU vs. Louisville: Undefeated No. 4 FSU (12-0) faces No. 15 Louisville (10-2) in the ACC Championship. The Seminoles and Cardinals did not meet during the regular season, adding intrigue to the matchup.

• Betting Line Movements: The betting line has seen a significant shift, with FSU moving from a -5.5 to -6.5 favorite to just a -2.5 point favorite. This change reflects considerations about FSU's team condition and the neutral field advantage.

As the Seminoles prepare for the championship, these accolades and statistics reflect the team's strength and the contributions of key players like Verse and Benson. Their achievements and FSU's defensive record are strong indicators of the team's capability to excel in the upcoming ACC Championship. #GoNoles 🏈🍢🔥🏆

🏀 Jamir Watkins Shines: ACC Co-Player of the Week

In a stellar week for FSU basketball, Jamir Watkins has been recognized as the ACC Co-Player of the Week for his exceptional performance, leading the Seminoles to a triumphant Sunshine Slam championship.

Watkins' Impressive Run

• Sunshine Slam MVP: Watkins' dominant display in the Sunshine Slam, where FSU defeated UNLV and No. 18 Colorado, earned him the tournament's MVP title. His contributions were pivotal in securing the championship for the Seminoles.

• Statistical Brilliance: In FSU's victory over Colorado, Watkins notched his fourth career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, coupled with four assists and four steals. Against UNLV, he scored 19 points and dished out a career-high eight assists, playing a crucial role in FSU's 83-75 victory.

Watkins' Contribution Across Games

• Sunshine Slam Performance: Throughout the three-game tournament, Watkins averaged 18.7 points and 7.0 rebounds, shooting an impressive 70% from the field. His consistent performance across the games against Central Michigan, UNLV, and Colorado underlined his importance to the team.

• Double-Double Against Ranked Opponent: Achieving his first double-double against a nationally ranked opponent, Watkins matched his Florida State scoring-high and career-high in rebounds during the win against Colorado.

Recent Scoring Streak

• Consistent High Scorer: Watkins has been on a scoring spree, with double figures in each of the last four games, averaging 17.3 points per game.

• Shooting Efficiency: His shooting efficiency stands out, marked by a 58.5% field goal percentage and a 70.8% free throw percentage. His defensive contributions are equally impressive, averaging 2.3 steals per game in recent victories.

Upcoming Challenge

• ACC/SEC Challenge: FSU is set to host Georgia in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge on Wednesday, marking the first encounter between the Seminoles and the Bulldogs since 1981. Watkins’ recent form will be crucial as FSU aims to continue their winning momentum.

Watkins' recognition as ACC Co-Player of the Week is a testament to his talent and impact on the court. As FSU prepares for their upcoming games, Watkins will undoubtedly be a key player to watch. 🏀🍢🔥🏆🎉

Wrapping Up With Seminole Pride

From the volleyball court to the football field, our FSU athletes have shown resilience, skill, and the true spirit of champions.

As we look forward to more thrilling moments and continued success, let’s carry this Seminole pride with us.

Don’t forget to check out the Cinematic Recap of our exhilarating game at the swamp below.

It’s a must-watch for every FSU fan, bringing the game’s most electrifying moments to life.

Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and Seminole successes in our next edition. Until then, keep the garnet and gold flying high. #GoNoles 🏐🏈🏀🍢🔥🏆🎉🎬