NATCHEZ — In seasons past, Natchez High School tennis has been on the wrong end of some blowout matches.

This year, the Bulldogs squad has been able to reverse their fortune.

“We’ve been beat up by so many teams that they don’t realize, now, it’s their turn to do what’s been done to them for so long,” Natchez assistant coach Katrenia McNeal said.

Natchez boasts a 3-1 record so far, with the squad’s lone loss coming to Brookhaven High School, which McNeal said was a missed opportunity.

“One of our greatest chances to boost their confidence was when we played Brookhaven,” McNeal said. “It was their nerves that got them. They didn’t play to their full ability.”

The loss to Brookhaven puts Natchez as second in Region 3-5A. The Bulldogs are now preparing for the state tournament. Team matches begin April 18. As a No. 2 seed, the Bulldogs automatically qualified for the state tournament, but they will be slotted against another region’s No. 1 seed.

“I told them, ‘If you play how you practice, no one can beat you,’” McNeal said. “I’m now working on getting that mental part developed because they already have what they have physically. Tennis is more mental than physical.”

Mixed doubles player Bailey Butler and brother Brandon Butler said the team is much strong than in previous seasons.

“This year we haven’t been looking so bad,” said Brandon, who serves as a singles competitor for the squad. “We had some good matches, and we can beat up on some teams.”

The Butler brothers have only been playing tennis for two years, but McNeal said they are an integral part of the lineup. She said her younger players are the most verbal.

Both Butler brothers expressed interest in pursuing playing tennis at the collegiate level, and they even have professional aspirations. Bailey said he realized he could become really good at tennis when he noticed how quickly he improved.

“I feel like it’s what we’re meant to do, and we’re out here every day (getting better),” Butler.

The Butlers’ personal coach, Stan Berkeley, said he has been working with the duo for approximately two years and echoed their dedication to the game.

“If you give them good foundations, any kid can improve,” Berkeley said. “Those kids are dedicated to work at it.”

The Butler’s said what holds the Natchez tennis squad back the most is the dedication.

“(Some players) don’t touch the courts unless we have practice,” Brandon said. “We’re out here every day.”

The Butler brothers are a snapshot of the big personalities McNeal coaches on a daily basis, but welcomes their charisma to the squad.

“They definitely have a lot of personality,” McNeal said. “We aspire to be great with a young team. Last year, we happened to make it to state with two sophomores.”