The ISU women’s basketball team might want to soak up the atmosphere during its season opener in Hilton Coliseum on Sunday.

After two home exhibitions, the Cyclones will take on the University of Missouri-Kansas City to open the regular season but then go on the road for six straight games.

“Over the next four months, you have to win so many games to get into the postseason,” said coach Bill Fennelly. “What you don’t want to do is not play well on November 16 and look back and say, ‘I wish we had that one back.’”

After that, Iowa State will start and finish its stretch on the road with games against in-state rivals Northern Iowa and Iowa, respectively. The stretch will also include a trip to Creighton and Hawaii where the Cyclones play defending national runner-up Stanford along with Mountain West Conference favorite San Diego State.

“Sunday, we get our third game here and then we kind of have a busy schedule,” senior forward Nicky Wieben said. “Now we are just looking forward to moving on towards that next step of the season.”

Fennelly said it will be key to get some solid momentum going toward that road trip.

“We could win all six and we could lose all six,” Fennelly said. “That’s not coachspeak, that’s a fact if you look at who we are playing and where we are playing.”

Wieben gives team strong post play in exhibitions

One of the biggest things needing improvement for the success of the team this season is scoring on the interior, Fennelly said at media day.

Through the two exhibition games, Wieben, whose 2007-08 season was cut short by a knee injury, has given the team just that.

Senior guard Heather Ezell said the play in the post has made things easier for the guards as well.

“It’s definitely nice when players have to help inside and it gives us open looks,” Ezell said. “It’s nice when they get going on the inside and open things up that way.”

Wieben has been in double figures in both games, including knocking down a three as well. Wieben had 11 points and eight rebounds against Buena Vista and 15 points against Missouri Western.

“We all have to balance the fact that she needs to get better with the fact that she hadn’t played in a competitive game since January,” Fennelly said. “Nicky has the ability to score and no matter how she plays she is usually going to get you some points.”

Toccara Ross close to coming back

Senior forward Toccara Ross had arthroscopic surgery on her knee on Oct. 24 and is nearing a comeback to the team.

Fennelly said Ross has been jogging and shooting as well as participating in non-contact drills recently.

“Anything we get out of her before Hawaii would be a bonus,” Fennelly said. “Everyone is pleased with where she is and she says she feels good.

Ross, who was coming off a back injury at the start of last season, averaged 6.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in nine games before an ACL injury ended her season. Ross received a medical redshirt and the opportunity to return this season.

Fennelly said her return will most likely come around Thanksgiving.

“I hope it’s sooner than later that she’s available,” Fennelly said. “I would be very shocked if she is not available by next week some time.”