Emily Harman glanced over the familiar sights of her home in Petersburg, W.Va. The senior captain was enjoying a few days of comfort with family during Syracuse’s week off, but the only thing she had on her mind was tennis.

‘It was on my mind the whole time,’ Harman said. ‘If I’m sitting around with the TV on, it’s usually watching tennis.’

Harman is enjoying her most successful season as an SU player during her final season. During the break, she longed to be back on campus, where the euphoria of a historic season awaited her. Now, she and her Orange teammates all share the same mentality preached by head coach Luke Jensen.

No. 47 SU (10-4, 5-1 Big East) will look to pick up right where it left off when it hosts Binghamton (4-7) on Friday and Boston University (5-6) on Sunday in the final two home matches this season at Drumlins Tennis Center. With the Orange re-energized after the 19-day layoff, Jensen said this weekend will be a great test for his team to shake off the rust.

Although the break offered a chance for some banged up players to recover, the team certainly couldn’t get complacent. The Orange has notched its first-ever Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranking in program history, returning to the 47th spot for the second straight week.

Jensen said he relied on his highly motivated group of players to stay active during their time away from the court. Harman habitually swung a weighted tennis racket outside her home to stay fresh, while senior Alessondra Parra and freshman Amanda Rodgers trained together in Manley Field House.

‘When you’re competing week to week, you get that match toughness,’ Jensen said. ‘For me, the biggest question was: Are we going to jump right back into the swing of things and start rockin’ and rolling.’

Despite injuries that have limited players, Harman said the team will have to come out firing this weekend to prove that it hasn’t lost a step. The Orange must not overlook its remaining competitors to finish the season strongly.

‘(Binghamton and Boston University) are dangerous opponents. They’re going to want to come in here and knock us off,’ Harman said. ‘This is a different team, and we are very confident right now.

‘We’re not even thinking about the Big East (tournament). We have to take care of business Friday.’

Team discipline has played an important role in SU’s success thus far, Harman said. The players are always making decisions with the team in mind.

Participating in preseason and midseason workout drills off the court builds that discipline that has translated to success on the court for the Orange.

‘We pride ourselves on staying disciplined,’ Harman said. ‘Our attention to detail is what sets us apart.’

Jensen will be scrutinizing every little detail this weekend to prepare SU for the rigors of postseason play.

So far, the Orange has handled the unprecedented success this season well. But the players must continue to be focused on its remaining matches to avoid any slipups down the stretch.

‘They’re really excited about this great season we’re having. We’ve never been ranked so high,’ Jensen said. ‘But these girls don’t want to drop the ball. Whatever happens, don’t let it be because we’re not prepared properly, or we’re not focused enough. That can’t happen.’

awmirmin@syr.edu

Published on March 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm