STANFORD, Calif. — It’s a long way to go to see family, but both coaches are happy to have to make the trip to the West Coast.

No. 7 Iowa State (20-11) takes on 10th-seeded Maryland (19-13) in Friday’s first women’s NCAA Tournament game at Maples Pavilion, and it will have plenty of warm feelings.

Cyclones coach Bill Fennelly brought now-Terrapins coach Brenda Frese onto his staff when he landed in Ames in 1995. Frese spent 1995-99 as an assistant for Fennelly, who was quick to text her when the first-round matchup was announced Sunday. Frese’s sister, Stacy, also played for Fennelly at Iowa State from 1997-2000.

The two coaches and friends are too busy scouting for each other to get too nostalgic just yet.

“I’m grateful. This is an incredible experience and opportunity to be going against your mentor, someone who’s been really impactful in my life,” said Frese, Maryland’s 22nd-year coach. “I would not be here today had it not been for Bill asking me to come to Iowa State and be a part of that rebuild at the time. So pretty special to have this matchup.”

The Terrapins, making a 14th straight NCAA Tournament, took down top-seeded Ohio State 82-61 in the Big Ten Tournament before losing to Nebraska. The upset of the Buckeyes showed the Maryland women they can play with anybody.

“Our conference has prepared us to be in this moment,” said graduate student guard Jakia Brown-Turner, who was just 3 for 15 and missed all five of her 3-point tries against Nebraska. “Our wins and losses, we’ve learned a lot.”

Fennelly is thrilled for Frese and her decades of success.

“Brenda is part of my family. Obviously everyone knows she was on our staff when we first started at Iowa State. Her sister Stacy is one of the best players to ever play for us,” he said. “Brenda is going to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame. What she’s done at Maryland is incredible. The unique combination of absolute hardworking grinder with a passion that goes with it. I’m so proud of her and what she’s done. Our program is one that I think is pretty good and has been good, but we’re not where we are today without Brenda Frese, and that’s a fact.”