Syracuse huddled around a television, studying the game unfolding on its screen. Girls commented on specific plays, while others sat in silence, absorbing what they were watching.

It was an activity that’s not unusual for Division I athletes, except for one small detail. The players weren’t watching game film, scouting opponents or even watching professional tennis.

They were enjoying the Super Bowl as a group of friends.

Not every team is close off the field or court, but a football team might find it more difficult to create bonding time than a tennis team with less than 10.

Such is the case with the Orange, that with seven members has its smallest roster since 2007. There are some drawbacks that come with a lesser variety of players to choose from in case of injuries or preferred matchups. In spite of his small roster, though, first-year head coach Younes Limam has used the intimacy among his team to lead No. 53 Syracuse to a 5-1 record, its best start in four seasons.

“Sometimes having a smaller roster you can have really good chemistry,” Limam said. “You have all the players flow with each other and play hard for each other. That’s one of the things that has been big for us this year.”

Limam was hired too late in the recruiting process last year to bring in any of his own recruits. Only one freshman, Nicole Mitchell, is on the roster this season and she committed before Limam arrived.

The head coach has already made ground with his first recruiting class, signing one player and receiving a couple additional verbal commits, Limam said.

“Obviously I’m sure he’s not going to have a problem now getting new players to come onto this team,” senior Breanna Bachini said. “Just because he’s going to become established as the head coach here, especially if we continue to do really well this year.”

With six of Syracuse’s seven players returning from last season, the chemistry in place last season carried over seamlessly to this one.

There are risks to a small roster, though, and they’ve presented themselves at points this season.

Because Limam has fewer athletes at his disposal, there’s less variety in SU’s doubles and singles lineups. This makes it easier for opposing teams to scout, predict and take advantage of any weaknesses a player may have.

There’s also a lack of potential substitutes, which has led to a more conscious effort this season to limit injuries, senior Komal Safdar said. Limam has implemented a number of provisions into team practices, such as stretch sessions and ice baths, which aim to prevent injury.

“The purpose of being very careful and maintaining our bodies has been because we only have seven people,” Safdar said. “When you do have seven people you don’t have that substitution so you have to keep every single player healthy.”

As long as the Orange stays healthy, it will continue to have a smaller lineup play to its advantage.

While the circumstances might not be ideal, Limam has managed to build a tight-knit group that has committed itself to a successful season.

“Having seven people in the team, it can go two ways,” Safdar said. “It could be really good or it could be really bad. Luckily in our case we have a group of girls who are very committed, who are very mature in all our relationships with each other.”

Published on February 11, 2015 at 12:08 am