via FSU press releases/website/interviews

FLN’s Questions for New Head Coach Sara Tisdale and Assistant AD for Public Relations Derek Satterfield

Head Coach Sara Tisdale

FLN: Sara, building a completely new program from scratch is a little different from transitioning an existing club program, such as FSU was.  Do you see this as a difference, and if so, what does that mean for how the transition is handled?  Is there a special responsibility to the Club players who were instrumental in getting the program raised to varsity status?

• Anytime women’s lacrosse is added, at any level, it is a win for the sport and women’s athletics. Collegiate club lacrosse programs have been instrumental in growing the game of lacrosse across the country and giving athletes the opportunity to continue playing the sport after high school. I welcome all current FSU students and club players to try out if it is their goal to play at this level.

FLN: Your Eastern Michigan program led the Mid-American Conference in scoring last year.  Does that mean you are looking to bring that approach to Tallahassee, or are you more of a coach who adapts to the talent you have for that year?

• My coaching philosophy has always been to meet my teams where they are. Every year the makeup of the roster is different, with strengths to highlight and weaknesses to improve. I am a coach that values both sides of the ball equally and I can adapt my coaching style and strategy to the team’s strengths. One thing I do love about the sport and something that is a constant in my style and philosophy is the transition game. Even with the 2023/2024 rule changes and green cards in the midfield, my team still played a tough transition game and that is something Seminole fans can always expect to see from us. 

FLN: You mentioned in another interview about the resources you see are available at FSU, can you elaborate on what some of those are that might not have been available at your other coaching stops?

• I have been surrounded by incredible people and a dedicated staff throughout my career. The people at FSU are very special and deeply invested in the success of Seminole student-athletes, who are our number one resource. Resources like the technology used by the strength and conditioning staff to the new facility that we will call home will be instrumental in our success. 

FLN: What is a Sara Tisdale recruit?  What are you looking for? 

• I have always been a “people first” recruiter and that will be a non-negotiable at FSU. I am looking for young women of great integrity and character who already have a “team first” mentality. We want student-athletes who will be leaders on campus and in the community, who want to win in the classroom just as much as they do on the field, and who are willing to put in the time and dedication necessary to be elite. As the saying goes, if this was easy everyone would do it. We’re looking for young women who are great people and are talented lacrosse players.

FLN: Was part of the attraction to this position the growth in quality lacrosse players in this state?  Do you have established relationships with high school coaches in the state?

• Lacrosse in the state of Florida has grown so much over the last 20 years, and it is very exciting to be a part of that! I look forward to establishing great relationships with everyone involved in the game in the state of Florida. I want the top student-athletes from the state of Florida to stay in the state of Florida and compete in Garnet and Gold. 

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Assistant AD Derek Satterfield

What type of commitment has been made about facilities?  I’ve visited the campus in the past and since this is an elevation from Club status, where are you playing the first year?  Are there plans in place to build a lacrosse facility like Clemson did?

• FSU is planning a comprehensive expansion of Alumni Village with a new, stand-alone women’s lacrosse stadium as one of the anchors.  The facility will also contain a team locker room and lounge, coaches’ offices, a visitor’s locker room, an auxiliary training room, an equipment room, and other features.  FSU will work with its new lacrosse coach to identify, and develop before the 2025-26 academic year, appropriate facilities for the team. We are keeping the current Women’s Club team in place, so it isn’t technically elevating the current Club team to varsity status.

Are you joining the ACC, or is that a decision tied to the possibilities of what has been all over the media about moving to another conference?

• Every Florida State team that plays a sport sponsored by the ACC competes as a member of the ACC (beach volleyball, which is not sponsored by the ACC, is the only exception). The 2026 lacrosse schedule is being developed as part of the ACC’s conference scheduling process.

Are you going to adjust roster size and college scholarship levels to the newly released numbers/NCAA policy?

• Florida State is evaluating the potential impact of the proposed settlement for all sports.

Will the women have access to an NIL structure?

• Florida State’s lacrosse program will have access to all benefits and opportunities provided to every FSU student-athlete.

Are there any discussions about the Men’s Club team also being elevated?

• Our focus is on the successful launch of our women’s intercollegiate lacrosse program.

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November 13th, 2024 – Florida State Lacrosse Announces First Signees

Bartram’s Emily Barnette and Ponte Vedra’s Hannah Toole Key Commits in First Recruiting Class

TALLAHASSEE – Florida State women’s lacrosse inked the first signees in program history Wednesday during the first day of the signing period for the class of 2025. Head coach Sara Tisdale announced a class of 14 that features student-athletes from 10 different states with three signees from New York and two each from Florida and California.

“We are thrilled to announce our inaugural signing class,” Tisdale said. “The 14 members of Class 1 embody our program values and possess the work ethic and character needed to build a strong foundation for our program. I am confident they will have a positive impact on the Florida State community on and off the field. FSU athletics, especially our women’s programs, has a storied history of success that continues with multiple recent ACC and national championships. Throughout the recruitment process, it was clear these student-athletes share our goals and believe in our collective vision to put Florida State lacrosse among the nation’s elite. We have made tremendous strides in building Florida State lacrosse over the last few months. This first signing class is one tangible example, and the progress we are making on our new state-of-the-art, lacrosse-only stadium will be evident very soon as well. I am confident we are laying a solid foundation for our program to uphold the high standard of excellence that exists at Florida State.”

The following student-athletes have signed with Florida State:

Name	Position	Height	Hometown	High School
Emily Barnette	Midfield	5-8	Jacksonville, Fla.	Bartram Trail
Amelia Brite	Midfield	5-5	Commack, N.Y.	Commack
Mackenzie Conversano	Defense	5-7	Huntington, N.Y.	Harborfields
Charlise Cox	Midfield	5-10	Norwell, Mass.	Norwell
Annie Devine	Midfield	5-9	Chicago, Ill.	Loyola Academy
Anna Ellis	Midfield	5-5	Chapel Hill, N.C.	East Chapel Hill
Caroline Kelly	Goalie	5-7	Baltimore, Md.	Archbishop Spalding
Danica King	Attack	5-7	Franktown, Colo.	Ponderosa
Brynn Perkins	Midfield	5-2	Tustin, Calif.	Foothill
Paige Peters	Midfield	5-6	Orange County, Calif.	Santa Margarita Catholic
Katherine Rathjen	Attack	5-8	Head of the Harbor, N.Y.	St. Anthony’s
Hannah Toole	Attack	5-3	Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.	Ponte Vedra
Peyton West	Attack	6-0	Great Falls, Va.	Langley
Brogan Wiles	Midfield	5-6	Upper Arlington, Ohio	Upper Arlington

Emily Barnette | Midfield | 5-8 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Bartram Trail High School
Under Armour 150 All-American and Under Armour 150 All-Star…helped lead Bartram Trail to back-to-back 2A state championships in 2023 and 2024…scored 101 goals with 40 assists over sophomore and junior seasons…earned All-First Coast and North Florida National Team recognition both years…named to National Cup All-Tournament Team…played for Florida Shine club team…parents are John and Stephanie Barnette…dad played basketball at Anderson University and older sister, Katie, was cheerleader at Florida State.

Amelia Brite | Midfield | 5-5 | Commack, N.Y. | Commack High School
Named among Newsday‘s Top 100 lacrosse players on Long Island…competed for Long Island Yellow Jackets, No. 1-ranked club team in America…scored 142 career goals…three-time all-county selection…also played soccer for Commack…first freshman to make varsity team…served as team captain senior season and was named among Newsday‘s Top 100 soccer players on Long Island…three-time all-county soccer selection…earned all-state honors…voted senior class Vice President…National Honor Society member…parents are Mathew and Natalia Brite.

Mackenzie Conversano | Defense | 5-7 | Huntington, N.Y. | Harborfields High School
Four-year varsity lacrosse team member…earned all-division recognition in 2023 and 2024…National Honor Society member…also played field hockey and was team captain during senior year…earned all-county recognition in 2023 and played for county championship team in freshman season…played for Long Island Top Guns club team…parents are Chris and Robin Conversano…mom played lacrosse and field hockey at Hofstra University…brother, Matthew, played lacrosse at Western Connecticut University…sister, Jordan, plays lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University.

Charlise Cox | Midfield | 5-10 | Norwell, Mass. | Norwell High School
Two-time South Shore League All-Star…2023 and 2024 Eastern Massachusetts Girls all-star honorable mention…selected for 2025 Nike American Select Team…2022 US Lacrosse National Tournament Team for Massachusetts and Rhode Island…2024 Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic Team…helped lead Norwell to semifinal round of Division 4 state playoffs her junior year…helped Clippers advance to Division 3 state championship game during sophomore season and state quarterfinals freshman year…played for MASS Elite club team…also played volleyball at Norwell…parents are Dan and Lisa Cox…sister, Danielle, plays lacrosse at University of Tampa.

Annie Devine | Midfield | 5-9 | Chicago, Ill. | Loyola Academy
Two-time All-American…helped lead Loyola Academy to state championships in 2023 and 2024…scored 23 goals with eight assists during 2024 state championship season…contributed to Ramblers earning 43 wins during two state title years…played for Lakeshore and Lacrosse Monkeys club teams…parents are Matthew and Nora Devine.

Anna Ellis | Midfield | 5-5 | Chapel Hill, N.C. | East Chapel Hill High School
First-team all-state performer…two-time all-conference selection…has totaled 255 points behind 168 goals and 87 assists…scored 66 goals with 32 assists in 2024 as East Chapel Hill advanced to second round of 4A state playoffs…registered 71 goals and 38 assists to lead Wildcats to second round of 2023 state playoffs…scored 31 goals and recorded 17 assists in 2022 to help East Chapel Hill reach quarterfinal round of state playoffs…played for Ultimate Lacrosse club team…also played volleyball for East Chapel Hill and earned honorable mention all-conference honors…parents are Kevin and Beth Ellis…mom played lacrosse at Hobart and William Smith…sister, Riley, plays lacrosse at George Mason.

Caroline Kelly | Goalie | 5-7 | Baltimore, Md. | Archbishop Spalding High School
Three-time CSE All-America Class of 2025 standout…helped lead Archbishop Spalding to semifinal round of 2024 state playoffs and quarterfinal round her sophomore season…National Honor Society member…played in 2023 CSE All-America Games…played for Lacrosse Monkey club team…also competed in ice hockey, field hockey, basketball and track and field…parents are Stephen and Stephanie Kelly…mom played soccer at William and Mary.

Danica King | Attack | 5-7 | Franktown, Colo. | Ponderosa High School
Under Armour 150 MVP…twice earned all-conference recognition playing for Chaparral High School…scored 65 goals with 25 assists through first three seasons…helped Wolverines reach 5A state playoffs in sophomore season…played for Team 180 club team…played flag football at Ponderosa…led team in rushing, receiving and touchdowns in 2024…earned first-team all-conference honors at defensive flex position and second-team recognition at running back…team captain for lacrosse and flag football…first-team academic all-conference honoree…parents are Mark and Laura King…dad was on wrestling team at Marquette.

Brynn Perkins | Midfield | 5-2 | Tustin, Calif. | Foothill High School
2024 Orange County Player of the Year…four-year varsity starter and two-time team captain…helped lead Foothill High School to back-to-back CIF championships…scored 109 goals with 45 assists…totaled 96 points during junior year, courtesy of 69 goals and 27 assists, as Knights reached CIF Division I championship game…scored 14 goals and added nine assists on championship team her sophomore campaign…scored 26 goals with nine assists during freshman year as Foothill finished 2021 as No. 1-ranked team in California and No. 9 team nationally…played for Mad Dog club team…parents are Paul and Megan Perkins.

Paige Peters | Midfield | 5-6 | Orange County, Calif. | Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Two-time USA All-American…back-to-back Trinity League MVP…scored 217 goals and 61 assists in 55 games played…recorded 77 goals with 26 assists while helping lead Santa Margarita Catholic to Division I state playoffs in 2024…registered 72 goals and 24 assists during sophomore season…scored 68 goals with 11 assists for 18-win team in 2022…USA Academic All-American and National Honor Society member…played for LaxSmith and Mad Dog club teams…also played for state champion soccer team at Santa Margarita Catholic…parents are Greg and Naomi Peters…dad played football and baseball at Tufts University.

Katherine Rathjen | Attack | 5-8 | Head of the Harbor, N.Y. | St. Anthony’s High School
Helped lead St. Anthony’s to three straight state championships…Friars currently are nation’s No. 1-ranked team…competed for Long Island Yellow Jackets, No. 1-ranked club team in America…contributed to St. Anthony’s perfect 19-0 record in junior season as Friars outscored opponents 242-75…National Honor Society member…parents are Mark and Janice Rathjen…dad played lacrosse and mom played volleyball at St. Bonaventure…sister, Samantha, competed on rowing team at Villanova.

Hannah Toole | Attack | 5-3 | Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. | Ponte Vedra High School
Under Armour All-American…2024 All-First Coast honoree…named to US Lacrosse North Florida National Team in 2022, 2023 and 2024…2023 American Select Florida Regional Team…led Ponte Vedra in assists during freshman, sophomore and junior seasons…scored 39 goals with 52 assists in 2024 to help Sharks reach regional final round of 1A state playoffs…recorded 40 assists and 18 goals in sophomore year as Ponte Vedra advanced to semifinal round of state playoffs and finished as No. 4-ranked team in Florida and No. 9 team nationally…accounted for 33 points with 16 goals and 17 assists during freshman season when Sharks reached regional final round of 2A state playoffs…played for Florida Shine club team…parents are Dan and Brianne Toole…sisters Emma and Lily play lacrosse at Anderson University and Furman University, respectively.

Peyton West | Attack | 6-0 | Great Falls, Va. | Langley High School
Earned first-team all-region and first-team all-district honors…team captain…USA Academic All-American and National Honor Society member…helped lead Langley to Class 6 Region D playoffs…played for Capital Lacrosse club team…also was team captain on field hockey team, helping Saxons reach playoffs in 2023 and 2024…earned first-team all-district and second-team all-region…parents are Mark and Robin West…dad played basketball and mom was on swim team at Johns Hopkins.

Brogan Wiles | Midfield | 5-6 | Upper Arlington, Ohio | Upper Arlington High School
2023 state champion…scored 18 goals with 19 assists in two seasons…recorded 15 goals with 13 assists during junior season while helping lead Upper Arlington to 2024 state championship game…registered six assists and three goals for Division I state championship team in sophomore year…played for Impact Lacrosse club team…also played soccer for Upper Arlington, helping Grizzlies win district title and advance to regional final round of state playoffs in 2023 and 2024…parents are Jamie and Cheri Wiles…dad played football and lacrosse at Ohio Wesleyan and hockey at Miami University.