The Iowa State Women’s basketball team is eager to showcase its talented new group in the exhibition matchups overseas and start the journey of exceeding preseason expectations.

The Cyclones will depart for their first overseas trip since 2018, and the fourth in program history, on August 7 where they will participate in three games during their 11 days in Europe. With only four girls returning from last season’s Big 12 Championship team, head coach Bill Fennelly is focused on getting the group closer on and off the court with this trip. 

“These trips are always beneficial, but for this group more than any we’ve ever had, you have a lot of new players, and it’s not just the basketball part,” Fennelly said. “They have to learn to become a team, and you do that in a lot of different ways, and one way is to travel together.”

One of the Cyclones’ key additions, freshman Audi Crooks, talked about how she’s handled the movement from Class 1A level play to being with the team and growing over the summer. 

“The transition has been exactly what I’ve expected.. It’s a new level, and everything is a lot more intense, but I was prepared for that,” Crooks said. “This summer has definitely been beneficial for us freshmen from a mindset standpoint. Seeing where our seniors and vets are from a physical and mental preparation point of view and seeing that that’s where we need to be as well.” 

Outside of Emily Ryan, fellow senior Nyamer Diew has stepped up as a leader for Iowa State during the massive turnover in the offseason. After transferring from Butler following the 2021 season, Diew has developed her game every season and should play a more focal part in the Cyclones lineup this year. 

“Both years [Diew’s] been here, the second half of the year she got better,” Fennelly said. “She can give us a lot of things, she’s versatile and can play a lot of spots. I think her willingness to play wherever has been really good for us.” 

Diew averaged 20.5 minutes and played in all 32 games for Iowa State last season, with career numbers in points, rebounds and steals. 

Despite only being around her new teammates for a couple of months, Diew expressed how well they work together and is excited to continue that progression in the overseas games and practices leading up to the season. 

“They’re really easy to lead,” Diew said. “I think the work we put out on the court in practice will definitely show in the games and our chemistry is crazy good for only being together for like two months.”

Diew also addressed those that doubt the team will be able to bounce back after losing key players from last year’s team and expressed her confidence in both her new teammates. She let everyone know that she is ready to make a name for herself this season.

“Everyone thinks Iowa State women’s basketball is not ready for what’s coming, but they don’t realize that we have Emily Ryan and she is ready to take the world by surprise,” Diew said. “Keep doubting us. Let them know that we don’t care about the outside noise. We’re super excited for everything that’s to come.”