Expect sophomore Erica Junod and junior Mary Cofield to fill the starting spots left by Megan Taylor and Erica Haugen on this year’s ISU women’s basketball team.

But also expect more than the six that regularly played last year, ISU women’s head coach Bill Fennelly said.

“I think we have some quality players that can help the team,” Fennelly said.

More specifically, Fennelly is looking at nine players who can serve a role.

“Depends on how kids develop. It takes a lot of time to develop depth,” Fennelly said.

Cofield has put in her time.

She began at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.

Her teams won the conference both years she played.

Cofield sat out last season as a redshirt, but spent her days scorching first-team D with her deft shooting touch.

“She’s athletic. Rebounds well. This is her fourth year [of college basketball]. She’s mature,” Fennelly said.

Cofield will play the small forward position, he said.

“It’s not like I’m a freshman,” Cofield said. “I know what I’ve got to do.”

So does Junod.

Her personal goals are simply a “branch” of the team goals – a Final Four appearance chief among them.

“We’ve never discussed that openly with the media before,” Junod said. “That’s everybody’s goal.”

If it happens, Fennelly believes it’s because of players like Junod.

“She was our sixth starter last year,” Fennelly said. “One of our best on-ball defenders. Good rebounder from the guard spot which is important in our defense.”

Though she played some point guard last year, Junod will play off-guard mostly, Fennelly said.

“Experience is a great advantage,” Fennelly said of senior Kelly Cizek and junior Holly Bordewyk, who are expected to contribute off the bench.

Both players, Fennelly said, know the system from last year.

Which is key, he said, because “they may not be as talented as some of the younger players.”

Lisa Kriener is one such player.

A 6-2 freshman from St. Ansgar, Kriener was a three-time all-state selection, earning first-team honors as a junior and senior.

“She has a great demeanor for college basketball,” Fennelly said. “She’s not overly awed by this level.

“Good size. Shoots from the outside. Plays defense,” he said.

Ada Anderson’s strength, a 5-10 freshman guard from Roseau, Minn., “will be her defense,” Fennelly said.

“She has the best speed of anyone on the team,” he said.

Fennelly will also look to 6-0 freshman Mary Fox from Lakewood, Ohio.

“Good size. Can shoot the three. She’s learning the defense,” he said.

Yet another player Fennelly hopes will play well is 6-1 forward Melanie Bremer.

Bremer is a junior-college transfer from Norfolk, Neb.

Her sophomore season at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Bremer averaged 24.7 points and 9.1 rebounds.

She was selected as a first team All-American.

“She’s shown flashes of great things,” Fennelly said.

Currently, however, Bremer is injured – her twisted ankle preceded by an ailing back.

Fennelly said she sits out practice for at least another week.

He likes these problems of whom to play.

“You know, we’ve got some freshmen who three years ago would have started for this team,” he said.