ISU freshmen Ashley Arlen and Alexis Yackley are transferring from the ISU women’s basketball team, Bill Fennelly said in a news release Monday.

Fennelly declined comment to the Daily through an athletics department spokesperson, but said in the press release, “They want to find another level of program where they can possibly obtain more playing time.”

Three players have now left the team after its Elite Eight run. Freshman Claire Rockall announced earlier this month that she was returning to Ireland to finish her education and playing career.

No specific reason was given in the news release about the reason for the transfers of Arlen and Yackley, except that Arlen didn’t feel it was the right fit, and Yackley wanted to explore other options.

Yackley did not answer phone calls from the Daily, and Arlen declined to comment.

Arlen figured to play a prominent role next season with the graduation of Heather Ezell, and she shot 43 percent from the field during the 2008-09 season. She averaged 9.4 minutes per game last season.

“I want to thank coach Fennelly and the coaching staff for giving me the chance to play basketball at Iowa State,” she said in the news release.

“I will never forget my teammates and the memories we made last season.”

Yackley averaged 6.4 minutes a game but shot just 28.6 percent in her first season.

“It’s been a great year, and I will never forget it,” she said.