When the Morgan Academy tennis team took the court for its first practice, head coach Baxter Stinson said he and the players were on the same page. Stinson said he and his players came to an agreement right away about where they wanted to be at the end of the season.

“I put up a sign that said ‘Get Better Every Day” and they all signed it, kind of like a contract,” he said. “I told them I didn’t care what happened the first or second week of the season because we were looking down the road.”

The signatures have proven to be sincere so far.

The Senators will have an opportunity to put the final piece of the puzzle together starting Monday when they travel to Lagoon Park in Montgomery for the Alabama Independent School Association state championships at 8 a.m.

The Senators will be challenged by some familiar foes in Fort Dale, Glenwood, Kingwood Christian School, Lakeside School, Lee-Scott Academy, Monroe Academy, Prattville Christian Academy and Tuscaloosa Academy.

Both the men’s and women’s teams have already defeated most of the teams they will play in the tournament on their way to undefeated records. The girl’s team, Stinson said, will face a tough challenge in Fort Dale.

“They have won state for the past several years,’ he said. “But, we have beaten them twice this year so we feel really good about our chances.”

On the men’s side, Glenwood could prove to be the toughest competition. However, Stinson said the squad is also up to the challenge.

Though the championship match will present added pressure, Stinson said his squads are more than capable of bringing home a title.

“They have had a business-like approach all season,” he said. “We’ve had fun, but we’ve also taken care of business. Their maturity has really shown. This has been a great group to work with.”

The final rounds of the tournament will continue Tuesday, April 19 at 9 a.m.