Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly talks about upcoming Stanford gameIowa State coach Bill Fennelly talks about Sunday’s Stanford game in NCAA Tournament.STANFORD, Calif. – Sitting behind the Iowa State ladies’s basketball staff’s bench on Friday evening was a protracted record of relations who had come to assist Cyclones level guard Emily Ryan.Ryan’s mother, aunt, soon-to-be sister-in-law and godfather all flew in to see her play. The longest journey, although, was the one her dad Jim made − he drove 25 hours from the household’s house in Claflin, Kan., to Northern California.“My dad isn’t a fan of flying,” Ryan stated with a smile.So he made the lengthy trek, driving more than 1,600 miles to the West Coast. Jim Ryan was within the stands with the remainder of his household cheering on Emily in Iowa State’s first-round game in opposition to Maryland on Friday. They’ll be back behind the bench for Sunday’s 9 p.m. CT game (ESPN) in opposition to Stanford. Emily Ryan stated a complete of 9 relations had tickets put aside for the weekend.Audi Crooks, Bill Fennelly discuss Crooks’ historic NCAA gameIowa State’s Audi Crooks, Bill Fennelly discuss Crooks’ historic NCAA Tournament game“I’m super grateful to have a family that supports me and they’re always behind me,” Ryan stated. “Just to be able to experience all this with them and for them to come along on the ride, it’s something special and it’s something that we cherish.”Ryan grew to become a hero amongst Cyclone followers final summer time when she opted to remain at Iowa State after 5 of her teammates transferred. Ryan missed the beginning of the season with an harm however returned and is a crucial chief on Iowa State’s younger squad. She plans to benefit from the additional season of eligibility awarded by the NCAA as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and return to Iowa State within the fall.”Throughout the years I’ve been here, we’ve been able to see a lot of different places that we never would have been able to see,” Ryan stated. “I’m just glad that (my family) got to experience it as well.”Injured Iowa State guard Hannah Belanger to put on a masks in Sunday’s gameIowa State guard Hannah Belanger will put on a protecting masks in Sunday’s game. Belanger was hit within the face in Friday’s game in opposition to Maryland. Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly stated Belanger didn’t break her nostril, nevertheless it’s sore sufficient that she’ll want some added safety.“Not real happy about that,” Fennelly stated of the play during which Belanger was injured.Fennelly utilizing a microphone and dry-erase boards to battle throat pointsFennelly has needed to take some further measures to assist take care of some voice points. The longtime Cyclones coach misplaced his voice main as much as Selection Sunday. It received so dangerous that he didn’t plan to fulfill with reporters that day. But after seeing some media members ready round, Fennelly toughed out an interview. Fennelly, who battled throat most cancers earlier in his profession, stated he typically has voice issues on the finish of a season.To fight them proper now, Fennelly has used a microphone at observe and dry-erase boards. He was additionally just lately launched to what he referred to as a scorching tea drink at Starbucks that’s “awful.” Fennelly’s physician in Iowa urged him to not discuss until it’s obligatory. That’s definitely been a tricky process throughout an important time of the season. Fennelly admitted he has not reduce down on his soda consumption, which does not assist issues.“My wife is going to kill me,” Fennelly stated. “I drink about 12+ Diet Mountain Dews on a normal day.”Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports activities enterprise and options reporter, has been working on the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at [email protected] or 515-284-8468.