Everybody loves a comeback.

Despite last year’s shortened post-Katrina season, Loyola’s mix of senior vets and promising underclassmen has climbed the conference rankings to third place.

After leaving a mark with teams like No. 23 Xavier and No. 24 Mobile, it’s hard to imagine these women struggled through any setbacks.

“We’re not only winning, but we’re doing it with the Katrina players. Their courage blows everyone else away,” Coach Dobee Plaisance said. “They are head and shoulders above the competition.”

An 11-5 (5-2 GCAC) record encourages both current and prospective Wolfpack athletes, Plaisance said, adding she’s excited about the team’s potential.

“It lends itself to a very bright future for Loyola,” Plaisance said. “It’s definitely helping with recruitment; we’re having some difficulty with that now.”

Returning seniors have the option of playing an additional season because of the Katrina season. Dani Holland, criminal justice graduate student, took that option, widening the starting team’s range of experience. Holland, along with mass communication senior Kiely Schork and management junior Christine Mainguy, are both friends and mentors to new but strong players like Trenese and Trenell Smith, psychology freshman.

“Off the court, it adds a little spunk to have the younger girls; the older girls have experience, so we can help them out,” Holland said.

Seasoned players also smooth the transition into collegiate ball for newcomers.

“Sometimes the younger girls don’t know what to expect, but we want them to know that what (Plaisance) does works. She’s strict, but it works.” Holland said.

What Schork hopes to pass on to the next generation of Loyola basketball: “The intensity and the drive we have; if you have that, you can get anywhere.”

Plaisance recognizes the team dynamic as further solidifying Loyola’s success in future seasons.

“The twins are a force to be reckoned with; we are getting them to mature very fast,” Plaisance said.

Leading scorer Trenese Smith, winner of three player of the week awards this season, says she has learned leadership from the team.

“They helped us with the system; we just follow in their footsteps,” Trenese said.

Although the season ends in March, ‘Pack players retain the most important lesson gained from any team sport. In the middle of her first season, music performance freshman Atoiya Scott has already picked it up.

“One thing I learned from the team is that no matter what happens, we always persevere and overcome everything.”

Nicole Mundy can be reached at [email protected].