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FSU utility player Shelby McKenzie is the FSView's 'Nole of the Week
TL;DR
Florida State softball player Shelby McKenzie has been named 'Nole of the Week' after an impressive performance, hitting over .300 and achieving 12 runs and 15 RBIs in March. She was recognized as both ACC Player of the Week and NFCA Player of the Week for her contributions.
Florida State softball sophomore utility player Shelby McKenzie drives much of the production for some of the hottest bats in the country. Currently hitting over .300, McKenzie’s dominance started long before her days with the Seminoles.
Hailing from Pace High School, McKenzie earned a spot on the Florida High School Athletic Association 6A All-Star Team in 2024. That recognition followed her ranking as the ninth-best player in the nation by MaxPreps.
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McKenzie’s power hitting landed her at FSU in 2024. That high school dominance translated to her collegiate career recently. In March alone, McKenzie registered 12 runs, 15 RBIs, and four homers in 25 at-bats. This hitting clinic notched her both Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Week and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Player of the Week honors on March 24.
In this edition of ’Nole of the Week, the FSView sat down with McKenzie to discuss her favorite artists, favorite snacks, and all things softball.
Shelby McKenzie discusses her pregame rituals, favorite artist
FSView Q: Do you have any favorite pregame traditions?
Shelby McKenzie (S.M.): Not really, just hanging out with my teammates in the locker room, getting ready for the games, and listening to some good rap music.
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
S.M.: My favorite artist personally is Taylor Swift, but also a lot of Don Toliver and Kendrick Lamar and all that in the locker room.
Q: What is your favorite album?
S.M.: The new ones like the “Body” by Don Toliver, that one’s been a good hype one. [For Taylor Swift], there’s so many good ones, I love them all … I like her new album, “The Fate of Ophelia” and stuff like that.
Q: What are your favorite pregame snacks?
S.M.: Goldfish and Cheez-It's, those are always the go-tos down in the dugout for sure. My favorite [Cheez-It's] are the white cheddar ones.
Q: What is your go-to postgame meal?
S.M: I love when they give us Surcheros, it’s the best. [My order is] the bowl with the rice, black beans, chicken, lettuce, corn, cheese, cilantro, and sour cream with the cilantro lime ranch dressing, my favorite.
How McKenzie made a home at Florida State
Q: What drew you to Florida State?
S.M.: The coaching staff, for sure, they’re the best in the nation. They love you so much and treat you like their own … They’re the best, and it just feels like home when you get here.
Q: What is your favorite memory since you have suited up in the Garnet and Gold?
S.M.: Probably our last regional game against Auburn University last year, just like seeing everyone come together, knowing we have to get this win to make it to Super Regionals.
Q: What are your favorite gameday traditions at the Seminole Softball Complex?
S.M.: I love whenever you get to hit a home run and the crowd is chanting your name and you come out and you wave at them. That’s great, it makes me feel loved.
Q: What is your favorite memory from the 2026 season so far?
S.M.: The “Paint it Pink” game. I feel like that game was really fun. My favorite color is pink, so just like wearing pink and supporting breast cancer [awareness] and everything. So, that one was probably my favorite.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Tallahassee? S.M.: My favorite restaurant has got to be Pedro’s. I love to get the "happy plate" with the chicken.
Q: What does it mean to you to be named NFCA ACC Player of the Week and NFCA National Player of the Week?
S.M.: It means everything. I love the recognition, but I also would not be able to do any of it without the great support that I have from my teammates and my coaches around me. But it is pretty awesome, no doubt.
McKenzie and the ’Noles travel out to the West Coast to face Stanford University in an ACC series beginning April 10. The Garnet and Gold look to continue their strong 2026 campaign during the three-game set at the Stanford Softball Stadium.
Follow @FSView on Instagram to vote for next week’s 'Nole of the Week and submit your questions for the next featured athlete.
Hunter Milligan is a Staff Writer for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com.
This article originally appeared on FSU News: FSU utility player Shelby McKenzie on her pregame rituals and more
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