Former star Kelsey Bolte may be gone, but the Cyclones aren’t short on talent.

Forward Hallie Christofferson, the only freshman to start for the Cyclones last year, is making an effort to build on an impressive freshman campaign. Christofferson put up nine points and five rebounds per contest last season.

She was voted to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team after shooting 52 percent from the field and just more than 82 percent from the free-throw line.

“Just knowing the program more will help me a lot this year,” Christofferson said. “Building off everyone else’s energy and being more vocal is something I’m going to try to work on.”

Junior forward Chelsea Poppens and junior center Anna Prins also return for the Cyclones and will try to keep their starting jobs. Poppens showed she is one of the premier rebounders in the conference last season, especially on the offensive glass.

She pulled down 112 offensive rebounds last season, good for third in the Big 12. Poppens was ranked seventh in the Big 12 overall for rebounding last season.

As for Prins, she is trying to stay healthy so she can put up the numbers she and her coaching staff know she is capable of. Her first two seasons have been marred by injuries.

“On paper, our scoring should come from Hallie Christofferson and Chelsea Poppens and Anna Prins, people that play a lot,” said coach Bill Fennelly. “The challenge for us right now is that the people who can turn around and score are not guards. When the people you need to score rely on someone else getting them the ball, that adds another layer of concern.”

When healthy, Prins showed last season how much of a force she can be in the paint. Prins put up a career-high 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the Cyclones loss to Marist in the NCAA tournament. She also tied an ISU record with 11 made free throws in that game.

With new depth at the post position, Prins is taking on a leadership role in educating the younger players.

“It’s going to be important that we finish around the basket,” Prins said. “We’ve a little bit of trouble with that in the past since I’ve been here and it’s just a matter of learning and adapting to the strength and pace of the game and what it’s become.”

Kelsey Harris is another player that could see the floor more in her sophomore season. Fennelly liked what he saw from the Brea, Calif., native in the offseason.

“She’s much more confident,” Fennelly said. “I think the biggest thing she learned was the pace of the game. Last year, I felt like she was always a half a step late. Her role for us has got to be, if we get a double team in the post, she’s got to hit an open shot.”