News Summary
The Florida State volleyball team is gearing up for its upcoming season with the annual Garnet and Gold Scrimmage. The team will showcase talent with returning players and new additions in a promising lineup. Fans are invited to the First Serve Party and the team’s exhibition match against South Alabama. With key players back and a record number of freshmen, the Seminoles aim to build on last season’s NCAA Tournament success under head coach Chris Poole.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida State volleyball team is set to kick off its 2025 season with the annual Garnet and Gold Scrimmage on Friday, August 21, 2025, at 6 p.m. Following this intra-squad match, the Seminoles will take on South Alabama in an exhibition match on Saturday, August 22, 2025, at 3 p.m. Both events will take place at Tully Gym and will be free for attendees.
Fans are encouraged to attend a First Serve Party scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. at Tully Gym, with tickets available for purchase at seminoles.com/tickets. The excitement is building as the team prepares to start what looks to be a promising season under the leadership of long-serving Head Coach Chris Poole, who is entering his 18th season with the program.
Returning Talent and New Additions
This year, the Seminoles return several key players from last year’s NCAA Tournament team while also welcoming a remarkable 14 new players, including a program-record nine true freshmen. One of the standout returnees is Kyleene Filimaua, last season’s top kill leader with 173 kills. She contributed significantly with 66 assists, 27 aces, 267 digs, and 23 blocks and will continue her role as an outside hitter.
Another notable player is Iane Henke, who had 143 kills and is recognized as a former DII National Freshman of the Year. Last season, Henke was instrumental in defense, recording 74 blocks and achieving a hitting percentage of .229.
Key Transfers
The roster has been bolstered by significant transfers, including Mio Yamamoto, a former All-Sun Belt First Team selection renowned for her defensive prowess. Yamamoto was recognized as the 2023 Sun Belt Libero of the Year and ranked in the top 25 nationally in digs per set.
Additionally, Lily Nicholson and Nellie Stevenson join the Seminoles as setters. Nicholson transferred from TCU, where she amassed 1,108 assists and averaged 9.89 assists per set, ranking fifth in the Big 12. Stevenson, coming from Montana State, previously recorded over 1,000 assists in 2023 and added 664 assists in 2024.
Other noteworthy transfers include Delaney Ewing from the University of San Francisco, who had an impressive freshman year with 155 kills and 83 blocks.
Fresh Faces on the Roster
This season, the Seminoles’ roster will also feature several talented freshmen, including Payton Whalen (OH), Ava Lambert (L), Ariel Ross (L), Victoria David (OH), Ryan Murphy (S), Stefanija Pajic (OH), Kaylee Peper (MB), and Lexie Mason (OPP). These newcomers are expected to bring fresh energy and talent to the squad as they aim to build on the successes of the previous year.
Upcoming Season Outlook
The Seminoles will begin their regular season next weekend in Jacksonville, facing off against UIC on Friday and North Florida on Saturday. The team’s combination of returning talent, promising newcomers, and experienced coaching staff sets a hopeful tone as they embark on another competitive volleyball season.
For the latest updates on the Florida State volleyball team, fans can follow them on social media platforms, including X (FSU_Volleyball), Instagram (fsuvolleyball), and Facebook (Florida State Seminoles Volleyball).
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Additional Resources
- FSU Volleyball: Garnet and Gold Scrimmage Announcement
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- FSU Volleyball: Match Against Florida Gators
- Google Search: Florida State Volleyball
- FSU Volleyball: 2025 Schedule Release
- Google Scholar: Florida State Volleyball
- FSU Volleyball: Signing of Lexie Mason
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
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