Laurel — Eight Cathedral tennis players will play today in the MAIS AAA South State Tournament, hosted by Laurel Christian Academy at Jones County Junior College.

The tournament starts at 9 a.m. Cathedrals No. 1 and No. 2 doubles pairs, No. 1 and No. 2 singles players and mixed doubles team advanced after reaching the finals of the District 4-3A tournament last week to qualify for South State.

Cathedral tennis coach Beth Foster held a joint practice with Trinity’s tennis squad Monday as Foster and Trinity coach Noreen Pyron prepped both of their teams for their upcoming tournaments.

“We had a joint practice which we had been trying all year,” Foster said. “Being a hometown school, that’s how we practice. We’re both pretty even,”

Foster said Cathedral’s success on the court comes from the squad’s good chemistry. Foster said her older players aren’t the only ones supporting each other throughout matches.

“I see them helping each other a lot, and when they come off the court, they’re wondering who else is playing,” Foster said.

Cathedral’s girls doubles pairs have lost just one match this season, No. 1 team Paige Foster and Natalie Fletcher are undefeated this season, although Foster said it is actually her No. 2 tandem — Emma Hogue and Marty Lewis — who appear the most confident match-to-match.

“They’re confident but also nervous,” Foster said. “My No. 1 team takes about three or four games, then all the sudden it kicks in.”

Besides a handful of players from Laurel Christian and Simpson Academy, Cathedral will be playing completely new competition in South State.

Foster pits her student- athletes against players from her adult team, so players see different types of shots with different spins on the ball.

“It’s helpful to get to know the other teams; because they’re good at telling you who you’re about to play,” Foster said. “That’s why I use other people to play against my team.”

The top two teams from each court will advance to the state tournament.