“If you build it, they will come.”

Bruce Jensen, head coach of the University of Maine women’s tennis team, can’t be credited with coining that now-popular phrase, but he can be credited with believing if a top-notch tennis complex were built at the University of Maine, the program would attract top-notch players.

Jensen has been proven right. So right, in fact, the Black Bear women’s tennis program was officially declared “the hottest sports team on campus” for contests through last weekend. Maine, currently 3-5, posted a 2-0 weekend with identical (and first-ever) 6-3 wins over UMass-Lowell and Bentley College. Wednesday, Maine lost 8-1 to Bowdoin.

But the up-and-comers host Salem (Mass.) State beginning at noon Saturday at the Bridge Complex on the Orono campus, and Jensen believes Maine’s record should improve to 4-5.

In a year of firsts, the team flew to Philadelphia in mid-September to face St. Joseph’s University and Delaware, the first time a Maine tennis team traveled outside New England. On the trip, Maine recorded its first NCAA Division I win over St. Joseph’s before falling to Delaware.

Maine is gaining confidence each time out, as a relatively inexperienced team takes the court. A few got off to a slower start than Jensen expected, such as No. 3 senior Jen Grinnell and No. 5 junior Laura Holloway of Presque Isle. But they started making up for that with wins last weekend in singles and doubles matches.

Freshman Jen Goldstein has been solid at the No. 2 position, and had a 5-0 record through Wednesday. Jensen had to research back to Coach Eileen Fox’s era of the ’70s before he found anyone who matched that record.

“She’s a great kid, very laid back. Nothing seems to bother her,” Jensen said. “She’s really steady. She will be one of the top players here for a long time. That says something about the kids looking at our program now, which is moving in the right direction.

“I said three years ago, if we renovate the courts, the talent will come along. That seems to be happening. Other schools are seeing our renewed commitment to tennis, and we’ve had very positive support from our athletic director, Mike Ploszek.”

Jensen hopes the improved courts, being part of the North Atlantic Conference, and the improved schedule will attract the top players in Maine. “High school tennis coaches may be surprised to be getting letters from us, but we’re hoping they will see the interest in tennis up here, the commitment to a viable program, and encourage their kids to take a look at us.”

One who did take a look, from close up, is freshman Angela Laberge of South Portland. “She was one of the top five high school players in the state last year,” Jensen said. “We just picked her up, and she will be with us this weekend.”

Boothbay Harbor’s Tara Krouse, a senior, is the No. 1 player and, admittedly, been having a tough time. But Jensen said that’s expected in the No. 1 position. Krouse is holding her own in doubles.

The doubles teams have been a pleasant surprise this season, proving to be the strongest in a long time. Through Wednesday, those teams were 12-2. Krouse and Grinnell are the No. 1 team with Goldstein and Holloway No. 2. Kim Hatfield, a junior from Belfast, was playing No. 2 doubles, but is out with a rotator cuff problem. Sophomore Jennifer Gillette and senior Wendy Semonian are the No. 3 doubles.

One of the more positive aspects of the improved level of competition is the recognition, Jensen said.

“The kids are starting to get some of that. Kids on campus now know there is a tennis team. The student body is supportive, and the team has begun to develop its own following. The women couldn’t believe it when they were asked about their trip to Philadelphia. They couldn’t believe anyone actually knew they were going.”

Jensen said his team is enjoying its new-found status on campus as a bona fide varsity sport. “It’s kind of fun to see the transformation,” he added. “A couple of years ago, we were losing the tight matches, and now we’re winning them. The women are taking pride in this team.”

Maine will compete in NAC postseason play since tennis will be conducted within flights. Individuals earn qualifying points for wins, so Jensen is confident Maine will have a good representation.

Univ. of Maine Women’s Tennis Schedule: Sept. 27 Salem State, noon Sept. 30 Colby, 4 p.m. Oct. 3, at Vermont, 1 p.m. Oct. 4, at Plymouth State, 11 a.m. Oct. 10, NAC Tournament at Vermont, 10:30 a.m. Oct. 11, NAC Tournament at Vermont, 9 a.m. TBA, Maine Challenge Tournament at Colby