With the coming of 2002 came the new national rankings from the NAIA. One member of the Loyola women’s basketball team was recognized among the top in the nation.Joelle Bordelon, biology freshman, ranked 18th nationally in assists, according to the report issued Jan. 9. Bordelon, a point guard for the Wolfpack, is averaging 4.2 assists a game, with a total of 66 on the season. Bordelon is also averaging 6.3 points per game.Although Bordelon’s assisting performance has gained national recognition, the Wolfpack itself has failed to do so. While most of the world was recovering from welcoming in 2002, the team was hitting the hardwood, playing in the Spring Hill tournament in Mobile, Ala. In the first game, the team defeated Berea College out of Berea, Ky., 62-48. Bordelon led all scorers with 19 points.The ‘Pack jumped out to a halftime lead of 35-24 and never looked back. The luck quickly ran out for the ‘Pack the following day as it faced Central College of Pella, Iowa. The ‘Pack trailed by eight at the half and was outscored by 12 in the second half, despite the efforts of Melissa St. Mary, management junior, who scored 22 points. The ‘Pack was unable to overcome the Dutch, losing the game 96-76 and ending its run in the tournament.The team returned to Spring Hill a few days later and was defeated by the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference rival Badgers in the conference opener.The ‘Pack outscored the Badgers in the second half, 38-35, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit it had incurred with a slow start in the first half.St. Mary again led all scoring with 33 points, and Katherine McNair, religious studies senior, and Stacia Jackson, communications freshman, each added four rebounds.The ‘Pack was able to enjoy a week of rest before returning to The Den for its GCAC home opener against 12th-ranked Dillard University. The ‘Pack was unable to hold onto a tenuous one-point halftime lead, losing to the Blue Devils, 66-57, and dropping to 3-13 overall, 0-2 in conference.Carlee White, political science sophomore, led the ‘Pack with 14 points and seven rebounds. Bordelon continued to add to the ‘Pack’s offense with 10 points. Women’s coach DoBee Plaisance said she felt that the women played well against the ranked opponent, but just came up short in the end.”The women gave a brilliant effort, but we just didn’t get the breaks we needed,” Plaisance said.She said the team did need improving in one area during the game.”We had 27 turnovers, which were costly,” she said. “We are still inconsistent.”The ‘Pack then traveled back to Mobile to face another conference foe, University of Mobile. Mobile, which is ranked 25th nationally, was led by consistent shooting as it defeated the Pack, 96-73.The Rams led 47-27 at half. The ‘Pack was unable to make up the deficit, despite outscoring the opponent in the second half. “We dug ourselves a huge hole, being down by 20 at half,” Plaisance said. “We are still inconsistent.”Despite a disappointing start to conference play, Plaisance said that the team is playing well and that she is optimistic about the future.”Dillard was a great effort against a good team, but we still expect to win. … We are a young team. We only have three juniors out of 13 players. … But every time I step on the court, I expect the team to win.”Plaisance said she has high hopes and expectations for the women, but she thinks that they can be reached. “I want them to over-acheive their potential,” she said.The ‘Pack will try to improve its record as it plays Tougaloo, in a game that has been rescheduled from Jan. 19 and moved to Jan. 22 at 5:30 in The Den.Conference play will continue on the 24th at Xavier University. The game starts at 5:30 p.m.