Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus UCF on January 31, 2026 , Win , 65, to, 52
Final
Women's Basketball
65
UCF
52
Iowa State University Athletics
Women's Basketball Practice Underway
10.20.2009 | Women's Basketball
AMES, Iowa ? The 2009-10 Iowa State women's basketball season is well underway with four official practices checked off the calendar. The Cyclones kicked off the campaign with an evening practice on Oct. 16, and they have been going hard every day since.
Head coach Bill Fennelly has been pleased with the progress he has seen, but knows that the progress must come quickly with an exhibition game looming just around the corner.
“Overall we are making progress, and that's good,” Fennelly said. “We have been set back a little because we don't have everyone healthy. Some of the kids who need the most work have missed the most practice time. The kids who are here are motivated. Aus (Alison Lacey) has done a good job leading the team and I think we are making the kind of progress we would like to have.”
The thing Fennelly is most concerned about is getting all 12 student-athletes on the practice floor, so he can truly begin to mold the team. He has been pleased, however, with the effort of the players who have been in practice.
“I think we are seeing kids understanding the tempo it takes and the kind of effort it takes on a daily basis,” Fennelly said. “The enthusiasm is good and the effort is good. We just need to get all of our pieces together to build a team.”
Sophomore Whitney Williams believes the team is working through the rough spots that come with a new season of practice and is especially excited about what the newcomers bring to the team. The second year has come a little easier to the Ft. Worth native, since she understands the structure and expectations that come with each practice.
“The first few practices have gone really well,” Williams said. “We started off a little rough, but I remember at this point last year things were a little rough. I think with the newcomers, we've done a good job of transitioning and every day we've gotten a little bit better.”
The Cyclones will get the 2009-10 campaign underway on Sunday, Nov. 1, when they take on the University of Dubuque at 2 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum. In the meantime, they will continue to work toward that date.
“The first two weeks of practice are hard because they are a grind and there's no game to prepare for,” Fennelly said. “The exhibition games are important. They give us a chance to see how we've translated what we've done in practice to a game, so that's what we're looking forward to.”
Click in the slideout tabs in the photo above for video of interviews with Fennelly and Williams and a photo album of the Cyclones' first practice.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballSyracuse Post-Game vs. ISU (NCAA First Round)
Saturday, March 21
Syracuse Previews Iowa State (NCAA Tournament First Round)
Friday, March 20
Iowa State Previews Syracuse (NCAA Tournament First Round)
Friday, March 20
Bill Fennelly and Audi Crooks Talk NCAA Selection Show
Sunday, March 15
