The ISU women’s basketball team is back in the top 25, debuting at No. 24 in Monday’s Associated Press poll.

This marks the first time the Cyclones have been ranked in either the AP or coaches polls since the week of Nov. 25, 2002. The coaches poll comes out on Tuesday.

“When you coach, you always stress to your team if you do this, if you work hard, there’s going to be a reward,” head coach Bill Fennelly said.

“This is a reward for our players. Someone else is telling them they are good. Someone else has recognized their effort.”

Iowa State received 156 votes, 10 votes behind No. 23 Kansas State, whom the Cyclones beat last Wednesday at Hilton Coliseum.

The only other ranked team that Iowa State has played is No. 21 Iowa, which lost its first two conference games of the season last week to Penn State and No. 9 Michigan State.

Fennelly said that one of the best things about being in the poll is the free publicity and the national recognition that comes with being ranked.

“It’s a lot of fun for our seniors and it’s great recognition for our school,” Fennelly said. “In women’s basketball, you’re always searching for that extra bit of attention.”

The highest Iowa State had been ranked in school history was fourth in both polls during the week of Dec. 31, 2001.

The Cyclones made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament that year before losing to Brigham Young University.

“It’s what every team wants, to be ranked in the polls,” said senior Katie Robinette. “I think this puts us in a good position.”

Potential problems to being ranked include some teams getting overconfident, or feeling added pressure while in the spotlight.

Fennelly isn’t worried about those problems, citing the senior leadership he has on this team and their ability to play hard.

“To me there’s not one bad thing about it, not one,” Fennelly said. “That might be silly and ridiculous and short-sighted, but I think it’s a great thing and [the team is] excited about it.”

The ranking is good for Iowa State now, but Fennelly is looking for more.

“To me 24th in the country is okay, but I don’t want to be 24th best in anything,” Fennelly added. “If you don’t win the next game, the next question is did you overlook them, did you pat yourself on the back? Those are all things that go with it.”