FSU softball team predicted to win ACC again

By Bret Clein

Seminoles.com

 The Florida State Softball team was recognized by the ACC last Thursday for placing four student-athletes on the 2021 Preseason All-ACC Team. The Seminoles were also selected to finish first in the ACC as voted on by the ACC coaches. The Noles earned nine of 13 first-place votes.

Caylan Arnold, Dani Morgan, Anna Shelnutt and Sydney Sherrill were among the 14 players selected to the Preseason All-ACC Team. The Seminoles led all schools with four members, followed by three from Clemson and Virginia Tech and one each from Duke, Notre Dame, NC State and North Carolina.

This marks the third consecutive year that Shelnutt and Sherrill were named to the Preseason All-ACC Team and the second straight year for Arnold and Morgan.

As a team, the Seminoles earned 141 points and nine of the 13 first-place votes in the 2021 Preseason ACC Coaches Poll and have been selected as the preseason favorite in the ACC for the eighth consecutive season. Florida State has won 17 ACC Championships, seven straight regular-season division/conference titles and six consecutive tournament championships.

“The fact we have released preseason rankings brings smiles to many faces not because of the players or teams listed but for the fact that we are one step closer to playing some softball,” said head coach Lonni Alameda. “Our conference has been getting better every year and we are proud of being in the ACC. The start is not what we are after. It is the finish that we compete for with two meanings this year- safely and strong. We thank all the people that are part of allowing us to begin this journey as a team, as a conference and as a sport. The last few months on the field together as a team has been a simple joy. Needless to say, I am excited to hear those historic words…play ball.”

Florida State kicks off the 2021 season ranked No. 12 by USA Softball. The Seminoles begin the season at home on Feb. 11 against Florida A&M, Memphis and No. 24 Missouri in the JoAnne Graf Classic. All three games will be streamed live on ACCNX.

All stadium policies and ticket information will be announced at a later date.