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1. Maine Central Institute

After a run to the regional final in the Class C playoffs last season, the Huskies return as the unquestioned top boys team in central Maine. There’s plenty of excitement following the team into the new season. Four-year starter Harry Holmstrom, a senior, will be at the top of the lineup. He has a 30-13 record. He’s joined by senior Tyson Thompson, who is 19-7 in his career. The wild card that could push the Huskies to the next level is Italian senior transfer Francesco Tumsich. With several returners and a roster of 22 players, there’s every reason to think the Huskies can make a strong playoff push.

2. Waterville

The Purple Panthers graduated some talent from last year’s team, but Jason Tardif — who is coaching his final season this spring — always manages to find an athletic and competitive squad. The ingredients are in place to have some success in Class B. The team will be led by senior Colby Tardif, a KVAC Class B first-team selection last year, and his brother, senior Trevor Tardif. Both will be steady veteran hands for a young team. If Waterville can develop depth in the remainder of the lineup, there’s reason to believe it can make some noise.

3. Mt. Blue

The Cougars are very young and graduated their top five players from a season ago. But veteran coach Zac Conlogue has excellent numbers — 16 players on the roster — and manages to find solid players. There are some veterans returning for Mt. Blue, including junior Quin Lawless, who will move from doubles to No. 2 singles. Denis Ragsdale is a key returner at doubles and will be joined by fellow junior Jaxson Pound. The group has pushed each other in the preseason and could make good progress by playoff time.

4. Skowhegan

The River Hawks were hit hard by graduation, losing the area’s top singles player in Varsity Maine All-State and Central Maine All-Region selection Drake Turcotte, who was also a KVAC Class A first-team pick. They also graduated KVAC first-teamer Erick Cunliffe. Skowhegan does return some veterans, however. Yashveer Patel, a senior, moves from No. 3 singles to the top spot. Savea Lafaialii, a junior, will move from doubles to No. 2 singles, while junior Finn McCabe makes the same move to No. 3 singles. If the trio can continue its improvement while coach Dan Riley rounds out the lineup, there’s still belief the River Hawks can be a strong program in Class A.