The WolfPack women’s basketball team’s quest for a national title is in full effect. Madison College has won 8 of its last 9 games, a dominant streak that has allowed the WolfPack to rocket up the national polls. They are currently ranked seventh in the nation after starting the season completely unranked.

The only blemish during the WolfPack’s run was to No. 1 ranked Rock Valley, the two time defending national champions. It was an epic confrontation, especially considering that Madison College was shorthanded and playing without injured star guard Gabrielle Hood.

The game provided plenty of drama as Rock Valley was able to throw the ball the length of the court to streaking players, not allowing the WolfPack to set up its patented full-court press. Without the use of that pressure the WolfPack had a difficult time setting up easy baskets and forcing the turnovers that have been the lifeblood of their season.

“We tried to press but we had a hard time,” said coach Jessica Pelzel. “It’s not that we weren’t trying to get in it we just weren’t able to because of how quickly they got the ball in and up the floor.”

Even without the full-court press at their disposal, the WolfPack stayed in the game with a physical zone defense and by forcing the ball inside on offense. Ultimately, bad turnovers and poor free throw shooting were the WolfPack’s undoing.

Still, playing such a close game against a powerful opponent was encouraging. The WolfPack travel to Rock Valley on Feb. 15 with a full complement of players.

“Playing that game without Gabrielle Hood makes us more confident in what everyone else can do,” Pelzel said. “We know what she brings and I think the outcome is different if she does play. This team knows that they can play well and they like playing with each other.”

In the meantime, the WolfPack are dispatching opponent after opponent with their eyes set firmly on their goal of reaching the national championship game. They have been on the road for the past couple of weeks but return home to Redsten Gymnasium for the Jam the Gym.

Jam the Gym will include alumni games and provide an opportunity for former players to re-kindle the competitive fires of their youths. Jam the Gym will also feature a doubleheader with both the men and women’s basketball teams in action against MATC-Milwaukee.

With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, Pelzel’s WolfPack appear to be peaking at just the right time. They have only one loss in conference play and now that their last long road trip is behind them, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.