Two seasons got underway over the weekend as Florida State men’s tennis started the year 3-0 with victories over Florida Atlantic, Louisiana-Lafayette and Florida A&M. FSU track and field kicked off the indoor season with a strong showing in Clemson for the Orange and Purple Elite.
With five fall sports teams done for the athletic year and nine winter and spring programs underway, there are only four more sports that have not began their campaigns yet. It should be noted that for track and field, there is an indoor and an outdoor season. The outdoor season begins on March 20 with the Bulls Invitational in Tampa.
As for the other sports, here’s a look at when each gets underway:
Women’s Tennis
First Match: vs. Washington on Friday in Hawaii
Overview: Florida State enjoyed one of the best seasons in program history in 2019 before being upset by UCF in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles open things this season in Hawaii with a top-20 match-up against Washington. There is reason for optimism this season as seniors Nandini Das, Andrea Garcia and juniors Petra Hule and Emmanuelle Salas all return. FSU completed the fall season in November.
Softball
First Game: vs. North Carolina on Feb. 7 (JoAnne Graf Classic)
Overview: Florida State’s repeat bid ended in the Super Regional round against Oklahoma State last season, but the Seminoles will enter 2020 with high hopes. The toughest player to replace in 2020 will be left-handed pitcher Meghan King, but sophomore Kathryn Sandercock and a pair of transfers will be expected to pick up the slack. The FSU lineup should be just fine as it returns infielder Sydney Sherrill, catcher Anna Shelnutt and utility players Dani Morgan and Elizabeth Mason. FSU opens the season at home for the JoAnne Graf Classic. It will play five games in three days to kick off the season.
Baseball
First Game: vs. Niagara on Feb. 14
Overview: The Mike Martin Jr. era begins on Valentine’s Day with the first of three games against Niagara. Martin will be replacing his father and college baseball’s all-time winningest coach, Mike Martin Sr. Fresh off a second College World Series trip in three years, the Seminoles will have some big bats to replace in the lineup. Notable returnees include Reese Albert, Nander De Sedas, Robby Martin and Matheu Nelson. Right-handers C.J. Van Eyk and Conor Grady are expected to anchor the FSU pitching staff.
Beach Volleyball
First Match: vs. Louisiana-Monroe on Feb. 21
Overview: Florida State’s season will begin at home one week after baseball does likewise. The Seminoles will play seven matches over their first three days of the new season. After reaching the national championship match twice in three years, the Seminoles were a quick exit in last season’s NCAA Championships. Notable returnees include Sara Putt, Payton Caffrey, Madison Fitzpatrick, Payton Caffrey, Alaina Chacon and Molly McBain.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.
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