Clemson's Rise to Prominece-Is FSU next??

Clemson’s Rise to Prominence—Is Florida State Next?

In just three seasons, Clemson women’s lacrosse has gone from newcomer to national contender, establishing itself as one of the fastest-rising programs in the sport. With a breakout 2025 campaign, the Tigers earned a spot in the ultra-competitive ACC Tournament, scored a revenge win over Duke, and made history by securing their first NCAA Tournament berth. They didn’t stop there—Clemson notched their first NCAA Tournament victory with a win over Navy, before falling to eventual national champion North Carolina.

What’s Behind Clemson’s Meteoric Rise?

Clemson’s rapid success is no fluke—it’s the result of a perfect storm of factors:

• Institutional Excellence: Clemson is already a powerhouse in college athletics, with national titles in football, men’s soccer, men’s golf, and women’s indoor track and field. That tradition of excellence extends to every new sport it touches.
  
  

• Elite Facilities: The Tigers treat their student-athletes like professionals. Clemson's athletes enjoy a dedicated weight room, dining hall, and recovery center, and the women's lacrosse program boasts the nation’s only lacrosse-specific facility designed exclusively for a women’s team. This state-of-the-art complex includes a private field, locker room, film room, training areas, coaches’ offices, wall ball space, and lounges—setting a new standard in collegiate lacrosse.
  
  

• Coaching Powerhouse: At the helm is Allison Kwolek, former head coach at Richmond, who has built an all-star staff with Associate Head Coach Bill Olin and assistants Christina Esposito and Landyn White. This coaching group has built a strong culture, recruited at an elite level, and developed talent across the board.
  
  

• Recruiting Momentum: Clemson currently holds the No. 1 ranked 2025 recruiting class and continues to attract top-tier transfers and high school talent, building depth and star power in equal measureCan Florida State Replicate the Formula?

With Clemson blazing a trail, the spotlight now shifts to Florida State, which announced the addition of women’s lacrosse to its athletic department in Fall 2023. As one of the ACC’s legacy powerhouses in other sports, many are wondering: Could FSU be the next Clemson?

The Seminoles are off to a promising start:

• Proven Leadership: Head Coach Sara Tisdale (formerly of Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan) brings a wealth of experience building programs from the ground up. She’s joined by Associate Head Coach MacKenzie Plaskey (Grand Valley State), another seasoned leader with a track record of success.
  
  

• Early Recruiting Wins: FSU recently landed their first five-star recruit, 2026 goalie phenom Hadley Booth, a standout from Virginia who’s already turning heads as a foundational piece for the program’s future.
  
  

• Cutting-Edge Facilities Coming Soon: In the same mold as Clemson, Florida State has committed to building a state-of-the-art, women’s lacrosse-only facility, signaling their investment in long-term program success.
  
  

What’s Next?

As Clemson continues its rise—with a stellar incoming recruiting class and momentum from a historic season—Florida State is laying a strong foundation of its own. Can the Seminoles match the Tigers’ pace and become the next breakout program in women’s lacrosse? Will Clemson continue its rapid ascent toward national powerhouse status?

One thing is certain: the ACC just got even more exciting.