During Bill Fennelly’s first nine years as the ISU women’s basketball coach, his Cyclones have been to seven postseason tournaments. In 1998-99, the squad advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

After last season’s appearance in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament final four, the Cyclones are headed back to the Big Dance.

Success in many of Iowa State’s postseason tournaments has begun in the conference tournament. In 2000 and 2001, Iowa State won back-to-back Big 12 Conference tournament championships and earned a share of the regular-season crown in 2000.

After two years in Dallas, the Big 12 tournament is back in Kansas City, Mo.

“For me personally, I’m really excited because I’ve never played in Kansas City,” said senior guard Anne O’Neil.

“I’m really excited to see our fan base be there.”

Last year, the 18-15 Cyclones earned a No. 9 seed and bowed out in the second round to Texas.

Senior Lisa Kriener said there’s a big difference between the past teams that have made the trip to the conference tournament.

“In the last couple of years, we could say we’re going to win it, but this year we really have a chance,” Kriener said. “I think we can. We just need to get better every single day. Even at this point, there is still room for improvement.”

Before hitting the court again, Kriener said, the Cyclones will need to work on both rebounding and free throw shooting. Ball control and defense will also be stressed.

“We need to work on taking better care of the ball and being more defensively sound,” she said.

After the Big 12 tournament, there will still be more basketball to be played for the Cyclones — a berth in the NCAA tournament is lurking in the background.

“It’s going to be a pretty amazing feeling,” O’Neil said. “I just think Selection Sunday on March 13 will be very special.”

Only three members of this year’s squad — Kriener, Mary Fox and Tracy Paustian — have been on an NCAA tournament team. Iowa State hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament in 2002, when the three were freshmen. The other two other seniors, O’Neil and Katie Robinette, began their careers with Illinois and Nebraska, respectively.

Kriener said that, as a freshman, she took the experience for granted.

“We are all so excited because it makes it that much better when you haven’t been in it for so long,” Kriener said. “I think we are going to soak every thing in and take it one game at a time and see how far we can get.”