NATCHEZ — A group of area women will test their tennis skills this weekend against some of the region’s top teams.

Thirteen women from the Miss-Lou will travel as a team to compete in the Southern USTA 6.5 40 and Over Combo Sectional Championships in Mobile, Ala. Friday through Sunday. Squads will square off against one another vying for the right to play in Monday’s championship match.

“They’ll put half the teams in one bracket and half in the other bracket,” team captain Adele Hazlip said. “We just play each other, and whoever comes out on top will play (Monday).”

Teams will compete in three doubles matches, competing simultaneously. Each matchup will be played in a best-of-three sets format, with substitutions being allotted throughout.

The group earned the distinguished invitation after notching first place in November at the Mississippi State Combo Title in Jackson.

“Jackson was tough,” team member Peggy Mayberry said. “We played regional teams first, so we played teams in Brookhaven and McComb, and we won that bracket to go to Jackson.”

Hazlip said their squad then faced teams from across the state in addition to some frigid temperatures.

“The weather had dropped to 20 degrees,” she said. “We played in gloves, and it was tough. The wind was tough, but we pulled it out.”

Hazlip said in addition to playing competitively, the tennis also allows for a social outlet.

“We get together to play at least once or twice a week,” Hazlip said. “Others will play on their own. Everybody gets out on the court.

“We like to go out to eat together and just be together. It’s fun.”

The Miss-Lou team is slated to compete against nine separate region teams, ranging from as close as Louisiana to as far away as Kentucky and North Carolina.

“We have a good team, but we’re going to be playing against a lot of other good teams,” Mayberry said. “We’re just going to play and hopefully do well.” The Miss-Lou’s first game is slated for 11 a.m. Friday against North Carolina.

“Hopefully we can go on to nationals,” Hazlip said. “If you win sectionals, you go on to nationals. It’s going to be tough.”