FSU softball looks to clinch ACC title: Breakdown of Seminoles' April, preview of series vs. Virginia Tech,
The Florida State Seminoles softball team is heading to Virginia Tech this weekend one win away from clinching the ACC regular season championship and the top seed in next week’s ACC Tournament.
For the Noles, it’s been a strong last few weeks as they enter the final week of the regular season 16-2 in conference play, 42-7 overall and currently on the right side of the top-eight national seed bubble.
On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin look at the biggest strengths of the team with the large majority of the year in the rearview mirror, the growth to sure up some weak spots, the potential ACC Tournament sleepers and the bracketology outlook for the Noles with just a few games remaining before the NCAA Regionals get underway.
Plus, they look back at this week’s Senior Showcase honoring an outstanding class of seniors who have left a lasting mark on the program and Michaela Edenfield’s Golden Moment.
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FSU head coach Mike Norvell recaps Seminoles spring practice: “Very productive spring.”
With spring camp firmly in the books for Florida State, head coach Mike Norvell met with the media on Wednesday for a post-spring press conference, touching on what he called a “very productive spring.”
“I thought that we really got a great glimpse of the potential of what this team can be,” Norvell said, praising players for “trying to be their best, trying to challenge each other, trying to compete.”
One of the highlights for him was the way the team responded following a lackluster practice towards the end of spring, bouncing back to showcase the execution he had been searching for up to that point: “To see the way that they responded the next two days was really a great opportunity for them to show a little bit of that grit, a little bit of that desire and the edge.”
With spring practice cut two practices short due to the tragic shooting on campus (“I definitely think that was the right decision to be made”), the Seminoles will look to offseason and summer workouts to pick up the work and further establish continuity.
Norvell spoke on the offensive line, which was one of the position groups hardest hit by injuries this spring, saying that “it’s gonna be a group that has great experience… potentially one of the great strengths of what this team can be,” while saying that the attrition in the receiver room was a result of “real conversations” due to being over numbers.
“Nothing’s happened I can say was just absolutely unexpected.....I’m really pleased with some of the newcomers that joined the program in January, and I really believe that the growth of guys that have been here.”
He was especially complimentary of the quarterbacks, saying that watching the group was “one of the highlights of our spring ball.” Florida State added transfer quarterback Jalen King last week, something that excited Norvell as he anticipates King to “hit the ground running....he’s going to be a great addition to the quarterback room. We’ve had the last few years we only had three scholarship quarterbacks… being able to have another talented young man in that room… is gonna provide great depth.”
The head coach also spoke on tight end Markeston Douglas’ decision to remain with the Seminoles after previously announcing his desire to transfer for the second time in three years, saying “I’m grateful that he is here… I think we’ve got a chance to have a really dynamic tight end room… Markeston definitely brings tremendous value and playmaking ability.”
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FSU football: Mike Norvell post-practice interview April 3
Florida State coaches said before hitting the field for spring practices that the first part of camp would be about installation, familiarity and establishing healthy habits.
Thursday marked the eighth day of spring practice, meaning the Noles are on the back nine of camp — and with the second of three scrimmages looming this coming Saturday, head coach Mike Norvell “wants to see guys take another step.”
He didn’t see it on Thursday, however, saying after practice that he saw the team put together an up-and-down day with “lulls” throughout practice.
“I didn’t think today was a bad practice, I just think there are moments we have to be better...We had two drops that were big play opportunities, and we have to eliminate that.”
The head coach said Saturday’s scrimmage, the only open-media activity of the spring, will “be a little more game-like” with a continued emphasis on situational reps.
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Fresh off a series sweep of NC State, Florida State softball now heads into a Top 10 matchup against the Florida Gators.
But even during a major season so far for the Seminoles, some things stand out as bigger than sports.
In this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss head coach Lonni Alameda’s recent breast cancer diagnosis, the outpouring of support for her, and her impact on the program.
Switching gears back to the diamond, the duo discuss a big win on the road over a ranked Duke Blue Devils and the continuing to roll against Stetson and NC State. Gwyn offers her insight into the home game against Florida and what the Gators bring to the table, wrapping up with thoughts on the ‘Noles upcoming trip back out West to face a pair of California teams.
Gwyn and Brian also talk about the ongoing Brady Vernon vs. Ellis Family Twitter battle, women’s basketball Sweet 16 and a trip to the ACC Tournament.
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39:40
FSU HC Mike Norvell talks first Seminoles practice since scrimmage
Florida State football held its first practice of April, with Tuesday serving as the seventh day of spring camp.
The Seminoles scrimmaged on Saturday, offering the coaching staff’s first look into the team in situational action and the player’s first opportunity to measure their progress so far.
“We wanted to see a day of response...whether it’s drastic improvement or just a fundamental focus, situational awareness, the different elements that you get coming out of a scrimmage that will show up, especially for a lot of newcomers,” head coach Mike Norvell said. “It was a good test to see the mindset, response.”
Norvell said he liked the energy that the team came with, especially with the staff putting them in situations where a competitive edge was needed — “defined winner-loser” portions where the aim was to build off what was seen on Saturday.
“I thought guys handled it well, it was good physicality, good speed....guys that were given a great opportunity, we’re getting a great perspective of exactly where they are and I think some guys are taking advantage of it.”
Norvell highlighted the performance of several players from the scrimmage — running back Sam Singleton, wide receiver Elijah Moore, defensive back Earl Little and linebacker Omar Graham, who specifically was singled out for continued elevation over the past week, capping it off with a strong showing in the scrimmage.
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