For the women’s basketball team, accomplishments have been around every corner. With a high national ranking and an equally notable record, the ‘Pack has continuously won games this season. Whether in the Den or on the road, this team has brought home wins and has moved up in national rankings. With a tournament on the way, there may be more to look forward to.

The team has five games left in the season before the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament, all of which are conference games. The results of these games determine where Loyola stands for the tournament. The heat is on and coach Kellie Kennedy finds the team to be on the right track.

“We’re playing really well now, and I anticipate us to be in a good place come tournament time,” Kennedy said.

With steep competition ahead, the team is preparing to work hard and finish the season strong.

“We just have to keep winning. Take it one game at a time,” Kennedy said.

The SSAC tournament, which will be held in Rome, Ga., is the final meeting place for all eligible basketball teams in the conference. It is split into East and West divisions. In the West, Loyola stands in second place, only behind Belhaven University by one game.

The ‘Pack takes on Belhaven Feb. 16 in the Den. The team is no stranger to facing tough teams, though. Just last season, they found themselves in the SSAC tournament among the same group of daunting teams from the conference. Guard and sociology and criminal justice senior Kieva Council said she looks back on the experience with fondness.

“Last year we were dark course, but we actually shocked everyone,” Council said. “We ended up actually getting into the conference tourney, and we got to the second seat.”

The team was close to the top spot last season, and this time around they have won more games and have an even higher ranking.

Regardless of the approaching tournament, though, Council said the players are not overthinking it. Instead, they cross each bridge as they get to them and advance to every game with the same determination.

“We try to take the approach that any game is the championship game or that it could be our last game,” Council said. “We try to play every game like it’s the most important game of the season.”

Cami Thomas can be reached at [email protected]