ISU women’s basketball team head coach Bill Fennelly said the team is looking for the experienced players to “step forward” in the Cyclones’ first exhibition bout of the season on Sunday.

“As always, at the start of any season, you look to the more experienced players for leadership,” Fennelly said. “Anne O’Neil, Erica Junod, Lisa Kriener and Mary Fox have played a lot of basketball at ISU. It is important for those four to not only play well but also relieve some of the nervous pressures of the underclassmen.”

The Cyclones will battle the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks at 2 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.

Although the game is exhibition, Fennelly said the contest is meaningful.

“I think it is always important to play at home,” Fennelly said. “People pay to see this game just like any other — we have a great fan base.”

Fennelly said he is looking for two things in the competition.

“We are looking to find our conditioning level,” Fennelly said. “We need to know if we’re ready to play.

“We also need to know how much of what we do at practice we take to the game. In exhibition games, we are looking at how the players react to the game.”

The Mavericks ended the 2002—2003 season with a 9-18 record overall and a seventh place finish in the North Central Conference. The team lost seven players from last year’s squad. Sixth-year head coach Ann Walker said she has a “completely different team from last year.”

“One can sum up this year’s squad with one word: youth.” Walker said. “We have eight freshmen and sophomores combined, but I believe we are more talented than we were last season.”

With the graduation of outstanding point guard Lindsey Wilson, this year’s Cyclone team will be different as well. Five freshmen were added to the Cyclone roster this season.

Two newcomers to watch are point guard Lyndsey Medders and guard/forward Megan Ronhovde. The Cyclones will be looking to Junod and O’Neil to step up and lead the guard position this season, Fennelly said.

Fennelly also said Fox and redshirt sophomore Brittany Wilkins will be sought after for their contributions. Fox led the team last season in total rebounds and averaged 6.1 per game. Wilkins, who led the team in blocked shots, will return as a defensive threat in the paint.

“Although we look to the older [women] to carry much of the load, I have a lot of faith in all the players on this team,” Fennelly said.

The Cyclones, who finished eighth in the Big 12, ended their season last March after a disappointing 60-63 loss to Kansas in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament.

Iowa State had defeated the Jayhawks 69-44 less than a week prior to the tournament game. The Preseason polls show the Cyclones once again finishing eighth in the conference.