Friendswood's tennis team brings back seven players from a squad that reached the Region III-5A finals in 2025, and head coach David Cook has his sights set on another deep run beginning Saturday.
The Mustangs held tryouts Tuesday, Aug. 4, and Wednesday, Aug. 5, before heading to Boerne for their first matches of the season. Friendswood faces Boerne Champion at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, then takes on Boerne High at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9.
"I am very much looking forward to seeing where this group will take us," Cook told The Galveston County Daily News.
Cook, the 2024-25 District 20-5A Coach of the Year, returns Preston Rigsby, Riley Rand and Dalton Neumeyer on the boys side. Rigsby and Rand competed at the UIL Class 5A State Tennis Championships in May, falling to Abilene Wiley's heavily favored doubles team 6-4, 6-3 in the first round. On the girls side, Alyssa Borda, Simran Virdi, Sophia Burkhalter and Cate Allan all return from the Region III-5A finalist squad.
Cook noted the girls lineup could again carry the team. In recent seasons, he said, Friendswood's matches have often depended on the girls winning the majority of their sets to secure team victories.
After the Boerne road trip, the schedule ramps up quickly. Friendswood challenges Class 6A powerhouse Fort Bend Clements on Monday, Aug. 10, then hosts Clear Springs at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. The Mustangs open defense of their District 20-5A crown on Tuesday, Sept. 1, against La Porte.
Clear Lake-area 6A programs gear up
In District 18-6A, Clear Creek and Clear Springs are positioning themselves to challenge 2025 champion Clear Lake.
Clear Creek head coach Derick Geise opened practice Tuesday, Aug. 4, ahead of a season opener at Pasadena Dobie. Clear Springs head coach Ryan Sarten returns seniors Priyanka Kamath, Lauren Jessel and Conner Elliott, plus sophomore Connor Warmack, whom Sarten said "looked great" at tryouts and "will be fighting for the No. 1 spot." The Chargers host Pearland on Friday, Aug. 14, and open district play Tuesday, Aug. 25, at home against Clear Creek.
Clear Falls, coached by Patrick Marrie, leans on senior captains Bryan Williams and Natalie Gregorio. The Knights host Pearland at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Sarten acknowledged the district got tougher with the addition of Barbers Hill for the 2026 season.
Meet the Mustangs
Friendswood fans can meet all fall student-athletes, including the tennis squad, at the free Meet the Mustangs event on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 6–8 p.m. at Henry Winston Stadium. The event features autographs, local vendors, games and raffle drawings.
