After losing the nucleus of a NCAA tournament team that notched a 23-7 record last season, ISU women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly doesn’t want any sympathy.

He wants people to expect good basketball.

“This program took a huge hit, especially for a team that did so much on a daily basis,” he said. “This season will not be about the 30 games, but about the process.”

Big 12 standouts Anne O’Neil and Katie Robinette are gone, as are key players Mary Fox, Tracy Paustian and Lisa Kriener. Left in their wake are two experienced juniors and a handful of eager newcomers, all ready to continue the standard set before them.

That may be a challenge of unknown lengths, as the Cyclones have many obstacles to clear before the season begins.

The team is ranked a lowest-ever ninth in the preseason Big 12 coaches poll. Last season the team began ranked sixth and finished tied for third with a 12-4 conference record.

“This is our toughest schedule yet,” Fennelly said. “Last year, losses against some of these teams would have been disappointing, but this year they’ll be upsets.”

The freshman class is one of the best Fennelly feels he has ever recruited, and it will be a matter of time before it can show him if he was right.

“Our freshmen are good, and they’ll steal some games here and there,” he said. “They have a long way to go, but they’ll be an impact on the program with their skill, strength and athleticism.”

The experienced core Fennelly is welcoming back contains juniors Lyndsey Medders and Megan Ronhovde, two players who have been on the court since their freshman season. Fennelly has no doubt these two will have what it takes to run the team on the floor.

“They are leaders by nature, with Megan doing more so by the way she plays and Lyndsey vocally,” he said. “They are talented and have great respect and rapport with their teammates. They are very bright and understand what they are walking in to.”

He said both players were thrown into the mix early and know the difficulty of the long season, as well as what is expected of them.

“I feel ready to go in terms of leadership and direction,” Medders said. “Last year the team almost hit a peak, but this year the team has nowhere to go but up. Part of that is getting used to each other, and I think we will really surprise some people.”

Fennelly said Medders and Ronhovde will be joined at their starting positions by freshman Rachel Pierson, a 6-foot-3-inch center from St. Louis. Fennelly said Pierson is incredibly skilled around the goal, and after losing major forward Robinette, will be a welcome presence down low.

“She is as prepared physically as any other player I’ve had, and she is never satisfied,” he said. “She is hard on herself, and she doesn’t back away. She has that talent and passion that gives her a chance to be a really special player here.”

The status of the two-position was locked to freshman Heather Ezell until a staph infection put her on the rehabilitation list.

Fennelly said Ezell should be back by the beginning of the season, and her ball handling will be a contribution to the team.

“People will enjoy watching her,” he said. “She is excellent at shooting the three and spreading people out.”

He said staying healthy and avoiding rashes of injuries will be an important factor for a squad with limited players and experience.

With less than a month until its regrouping is unveiled, Fennelly said the team will use the time to grow as players and teammates.

“We went from one group of five to almost a whole new group, and the possibilities are wide open,” he said.

“We lost five of the best players we ever had, but that’s not telling what these new players could become.”