Orono High School has experienced power in participation on the tennis courts in recent years.

Last spring 53 players took to the baseline for the Red Riots, and not only did those numbers produce healthy competition within the program, but beyond.

The Orono girls varsity team won its second consecutive Eastern Maine Class C championship, while the boys squad advanced to the regional final before bowing to George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill.

This spring, numbers remain high and both varsity teams should be competitive again, while the depth of the program will be bolstered by an upgraded junior varsity schedule.

“Our athletic director, Mike Archer, has been terrific in terms of supporting tennis,” said Orono head coach Dean Armstrong, who is assisted by Dave Roberts. “Two or three years ago we had two or three JV matches, last year we had five, and this year we’re up to 10.

“With the number of kids we have, just to be able to get them out there in competitive situations and give them the chance to demonstrate their improvement by playing other teams is a great thing for them. All this support helps keep things going for the kids, and it gives them the chance to keep playing a lifetime sport.”

Like nearly every team in northern and eastern Maine, Orono’s progression toward the start of the 2007 season has been somewhat derailed by Mother Nature.

The Red Riots have practiced on indoor courts two or three times, Armstrong said, but still are formalizing starting lineups for a challenging season opener against GSA set for Monday.

Kate Kirby and Nimesh Patel, the No. 1 singles players on last year’s girls’ and boys’ teams, have graduated, as did the boys’ top doubles tandem of Tommy Boyle and Angus Rose.

But the Red Riots have some depth to turn to in returning varsity players, younger players developed through the JV program, and a few even younger players.

“We’re probably going to be more balanced this year, but not as strong at No. 1 singles or No. 1 doubles,” said Armstrong.

Junior Katie Foley and seniors Kate Weatherbee and Mari Dawn Lamb are back and likely to play singles for Orono’s 28-player girls squad, with sophomore Megan Quintal and senior Margaret Payne both experienced varsity doubles players.

Junior Nate Peterson and freshman Peter Ohno rank among the top singles candidates on the boys side, along with Parker Hall and Dennis Weyer, a German exchange student. Dan Ohno, Nate Curtis and Emmitt Harrity other veterans who are expected to contend for varsity playing time.

Monday’s match against George Stevens should serve as a high-quality litmus test of where the Red Riots stand as the season begins.

George Stevens has won the Eastern C boys title four of the last five years – Orono won in 2005 – and the Eagles return a veteran team led by top-seeded singles player Cooper Mor.

The girls match also will be a rematch of last spring’s EM final.

“GSA is perennially tough,” said Armstrong. “Their girls beat us twice last year, then we won in the playoffs and went to the states, and the boys split last year before GSA won in the playoffs and they went to the states.