The Iowa State women open the NCAA Friday night at Stanford by taking on Maryland. It will match ISU coach Bill Fennelly against a former Cyclone assistant in Maryland’s Brenda Frese.

Fennelly hopes freshman center Audi Crooks can be a difference maker.

Fennelly on the concerns Maryland causes.

The Cyclones are 20-11 and Crooks says they are excited with the opportunity to play in the tournament.

ISU guard Emily Ryan says it has been a fun season for a team that has overachieved.