Kelsey Joens in Portal

[Marcelason78]

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/basketball-womens/2025/02/20/iowa-state-womens-basketball-roster-starting-lineup-kelsey-joens/78880151007/

“She was by far the best player for us tonight,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. “I don’t think it was even close.”

Joens has turned into a go-to player for Fennelly. The Cyclones coach has praised her work ethic and ability to make plays that don’t show up in the box score, like chasing down loose balls and playing intense defense. Fennelly has also raved about her hustle.

“To her credit, she has figured out, I can do something for my team that really no one else is doing, and she’s being rewarded for it and our team is much better for it,” Fennelly said.

That’s led to her getting more chances to start lately. Joens has taken advantage of the opportunities. She has been instrumental in Iowa State’s recent run of success that has kept the Cyclones in the hunt for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Joens, who has bounced in and out of the starting lineup this season, has played so well that Fennelly said she’s earned the fifth starting spot this season. For good.

“It’s over,” Fennelly said of the competition. “She’s in. She’s the everyday shortstop or whatever. She’s earned it. She will be in there for the rest of the season. She’ll get her minutes. She’s proven to everyone, especially her teammates, that that’s the person we needed in that spot.”

Iowa State women's basketball: Kelsey Joens ignites fast start for Cyclones in win over Colorado

Iowa State women's basketball has enjoyed two strong starts thanks to Kelsey Joens.

www.desmoinesregister.com

Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly knew his team may need a replacement in its starting lineup for Sydney Harris earlier this week.

Harris was dealing with an illness as the team prepared for its trip to Cincinnati on Wednesday. So Fennelly went around to his staff and asked them who should get the opportunity. Everyone in the room, in unison, came up with the same answer.

Kelsey Joens.

“That tells you the respect she has from her coaches and her teammates,” Fennelly said.

Joens got the start in Iowa State’s win Wednesday night. She was back in the starting lineup on Saturday when the Cyclones (17-9, 8-5 Big 12) delivered a dominating, 86-56, win over Colorado at Hilton Coliseum. According to Fennelly, the sophomore was a big reason for the team’s recent run of success that saw it go 2-0 on the week.

“I think she’s made a huge difference on our team this week,” Fennelly said.

Now, the Cyclones may have finally settled on Joens. The 5-foot-10 guard from Iowa City entered Saturday’s showdown with Colorado averaging 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. But Fennelly believes the numbers don’t tell the whole story of what she brings to the table. Hustle is what he really likes about Joens, and he thinks his team has benefitted in a big way from it.

“There’s plays that she makes that no one else on our team makes,” Fennelly said. “There’s flying through to get a rebound or getting a loose ball or making an occasional shot. You need people like that. Most players don’t want to be that person.”

Joens does. During Iowa State’s win over Colorado, she tallied five points, grabbed six rebounds and handed out four assists. Fennelly credited Joens with having a huge hand in the fast start that resulted in a 20-2 run to close out the first quarter. Iowa State scored the final 17 points of the frame and didn't allow a Colorado basket for the final 5:45 of the first.


“I think a big part of it is Kelsey Joens in the starting lineup,” Fennelly said. “There’s no one that I coach harder than her. But there’s something about her energy.”

Because Joens is always bringing it, she’ll continue to start. Fennelly hopes she’ll continue to have a big impact on the Cyclones.

“Her teammates have a lot of trust in her,” Fennelly said.

This just doesn’t fit the narrative of the Cyclone movie— ‘The Tenderloin Connection’.

 

[bozclone]

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/basketball-womens/2025/02/20/iowa-state-womens-basketball-roster-starting-lineup-kelsey-joens/78880151007/

“She was by far the best player for us tonight,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. “I don’t think it was even close.”

Joens has turned into a go-to player for Fennelly. The Cyclones coach has praised her work ethic and ability to make plays that don’t show up in the box score, like chasing down loose balls and playing intense defense. Fennelly has also raved about her hustle.

“To her credit, she has figured out, I can do something for my team that really no one else is doing, and she’s being rewarded for it and our team is much better for it,” Fennelly said.

That’s led to her getting more chances to start lately. Joens has taken advantage of the opportunities. She has been instrumental in Iowa State’s recent run of success that has kept the Cyclones in the hunt for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Joens, who has bounced in and out of the starting lineup this season, has played so well that Fennelly said she’s earned the fifth starting spot this season. For good.

“It’s over,” Fennelly said of the competition. “She’s in. She’s the everyday shortstop or whatever. She’s earned it. She will be in there for the rest of the season. She’ll get her minutes. She’s proven to everyone, especially her teammates, that that’s the person we needed in that spot.”

Iowa State women's basketball: Kelsey Joens ignites fast start for Cyclones in win over Colorado

Iowa State women's basketball has enjoyed two strong starts thanks to Kelsey Joens.

www.desmoinesregister.com

Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly knew his team may need a replacement in its starting lineup for Sydney Harris earlier this week.

Harris was dealing with an illness as the team prepared for its trip to Cincinnati on Wednesday. So Fennelly went around to his staff and asked them who should get the opportunity. Everyone in the room, in unison, came up with the same answer.

Kelsey Joens.

“That tells you the respect she has from her coaches and her teammates,” Fennelly said.

Joens got the start in Iowa State’s win Wednesday night. She was back in the starting lineup on Saturday when the Cyclones (17-9, 8-5 Big 12) delivered a dominating, 86-56, win over Colorado at Hilton Coliseum. According to Fennelly, the sophomore was a big reason for the team’s recent run of success that saw it go 2-0 on the week.

“I think she’s made a huge difference on our team this week,” Fennelly said.

Now, the Cyclones may have finally settled on Joens. The 5-foot-10 guard from Iowa City entered Saturday’s showdown with Colorado averaging 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. But Fennelly believes the numbers don’t tell the whole story of what she brings to the table. Hustle is what he really likes about Joens, and he thinks his team has benefitted in a big way from it.

“There’s plays that she makes that no one else on our team makes,” Fennelly said. “There’s flying through to get a rebound or getting a loose ball or making an occasional shot. You need people like that. Most players don’t want to be that person.”

Joens does. During Iowa State’s win over Colorado, she tallied five points, grabbed six rebounds and handed out four assists. Fennelly credited Joens with having a huge hand in the fast start that resulted in a 20-2 run to close out the first quarter. Iowa State scored the final 17 points of the frame and didn't allow a Colorado basket for the final 5:45 of the first.


“I think a big part of it is Kelsey Joens in the starting lineup,” Fennelly said. “There’s no one that I coach harder than her. But there’s something about her energy.”

Because Joens is always bringing it, she’ll continue to start. Fennelly hopes she’ll continue to have a big impact on the Cyclones.

“Her teammates have a lot of trust in her,” Fennelly said.

This all sounds great, but why then is she now at Villanova? If you watched the first half of the season and didn't wonder why Kelsey was not getting more opportunities, then you were not paying close enough attention. There was a three game stretch were she played 2, 4, and 4 minutes. As I said in my original post. "He was extremely slow to insert her into a significant role on the team this past year despite the struggles of others. She really seemed to be a last resort." It is a fact that our team played better after she was inserted into the starting lineup, so it is crazy she is not back for her junior year. I don't know Kelsey or her family, but as a lifelong Cyclone fan I felt bad for her situation last year.

 

[kcdc4isu]

This all sounds great, but why then is she now at Villanova? If you watched the first half of the season and didn't wonder why Kelsey was not getting more opportunities, then you were not paying close enough attention. There was a three game stretch were she played 2, 4, and 4 minutes. As I said in my original post. "He was extremely slow to insert her into a significant role on the team this past year despite the struggles of others. She really seemed to be a last resort." It is a fact that our team played better after she was inserted into the starting lineup, so it is crazy she is not back for her junior year. I don't know Kelsey or her family, but as a lifelong Cyclone fan I felt bad for her situation last year.

Did you listen to any of coaches comments late in the season when she got the starts. He said he made some errors trying to see how everyone would fit early in the season as they evaluated the new players. They did not provide what the staff wanted and Kelsey was the one to do that. There are people on here who claim to know everything that went down in the season reviews. I was not involved but some claim she was told about what her minutes would be and she wanted more. If that was the case she decided to inter the portal I hope she gets the minutes she wants at here new team. I will be cheering for her.

 

[acoustimac]

This threat is way over discussed, but I'll add this tidbit. About a month ago I had started a new TSS post looking into the crystal ball for next year. Here's what I had written down about Kelsey Joens. I had high hopes for her...

"Kelsey Joens becomes the third leading scorer for the team and becomes an effective defensive stopper. She becomes this team's version of Tracy Gahan."

That last sentence is about as high a praise as I could offer any supporting player on a Sister's team.

 

[WartburgClone]

 

[acoustimac]

Silver Surfer?

 

[throwittoblythe]

Silver Surfer?

My guess was Dr. Manhattan

 

[ICCYFAN]

You all need to stop listening to some folks in here who eat tenderloins at Joensy’s, you’re getting a very embellished version of the truth. KJ was loved here, were difficult conversations had? Probably so, but forced to leave & scholarship not renewed are just lies.

I've been a member of this website since September 2006 and have averaged 1 post every 2.6 days, which suggests I am not attention-seeking. I enjoy engaging in civil discussion of interesting topics, and a 16 game starter on a "contender" being discarded by a veteran coach is an interesting topic. Especially when that player is a fan favorite, academic honor role member and fantastic representative of the university.

My much-maligned mention of eating at Joensy's is only to provide context for my shared information. I don't enjoy any special access - the Joens family would happily discuss WBB with anybody who wandered into their restaurant - they have four daughters who've played at the Division 1 level, and a fifth who some believe will be "best of the bunch". They're experienced and knowledgeable on the topic.

I've clearly identified my information is "third-hand" and where it came from. You've been a member at this message board since September 2023 with ~50 total posts. What's your connection to the WBB program so as to provide context for your comments? Do you actually know somebody or is this just your opinion?

Lastly, I never said Kelsey's scholarship was non-renewed. That's a damn lie, but standard practice for the vocal contingent of Fennelly loyalists on CF.

 

[BoxsterCy]

I've been a member of this website since September 2006 and have averaged 1 post every 2.6 days, which suggests I am not attention-seeking. I enjoy engaging in civil discussion of interesting topics, and a 16 game starter on a "contender" being discarded by a veteran coach is an interesting topic. Especially when that player is a fan favorite, academic honor role member and fantastic representative of the university.

My much-maligned mention of eating at Joensy's is only to provide context for my shared information. I don't enjoy any special access - the Joens family would happily discuss WBB with anybody who wandered into their restaurant - they have four daughters who've played at the Division 1 level, and a fifth who some believe will be "best of the bunch". They're experienced and knowledgeable on the topic.

I've clearly identified my information is "third-hand" and where it came from. You've been a member at this message board since September 2023 with ~50 total posts. What's your connection to the WBB program so as to provide context for your comments? Do you actually know somebody or is this just your opinion?

Lastly, I never said Kelsey's scholarship was non-renewed. That's a damn lie, but standard practice for the vocal contingent of Fennelly loyalists on CF.

Pretty amazing run with all of the girls playing Div I. Wonder how Bailey will be ranked come HS. She's already winning and getting some attention with All Iowa Attack. What's the deal with the alleged bad blood between the family and Iowa Hawks? That dissipate any with Bluder retiring and two Joens gals leaving ISU?