Friendswood's Lady Mustangs volleyball team opens the 2026 season as three-time defending District 20-5A champions, but the road to a fourth consecutive crown got longer.
UIL realignment for the 2026-28 cycle expanded the district from seven to nine teams, adding Pasadena and South Houston to the mix. That means four additional league matches on the schedule and a significant cut to non-district play, according to the Galveston County Daily News.
The full District 20-5A lineup now reads: Alvin Iowa Colony, Angleton, Friendswood, Galveston Ball, La Porte, Pasadena, Pasadena South Houston, Santa Fe and Texas City. South Houston dropped from Class 6A to 5A in the reclassification cycle, landing it in Friendswood's district.
Coming off a state semifinal run
Head coach Sarah Paulk, the 2024-25 District 20-5A Coach of the Year, returns a program that went 37-10 last season and reached the UIL State Semifinals. But the Lady Mustangs lost significant firepower. Nadi'Ya Shelby, who tallied more than 400 kills in 2025, graduated and enrolled at the University of Florida. Caroline Adams departed for the U.S. Naval Academy.
Returning players expected to anchor the 2026 roster include Ashley Adams, Elaina Holtvluwer and Sarah Grace Hickl. VYPE Houston ranked Friendswood No. 11 in its 2026 preseason volleyball rankings published July 28.
District picture
Despite the expanded slate, the newcomers aren't expected to shake up the top of the standings. A June analysis from the Daily News projected Santa Fe and La Porte as Friendswood's primary title threats, with Pasadena and South Houston unlikely to challenge for the district crown.
The longer district schedule means fewer opportunities to test non-league opponents before the playoff push. District certification is set for Oct. 27, with the UIL State Tournament scheduled for Nov. 19-21.
Key dates
Practices opened Saturday, Aug. 1. Scrimmages begin Friday, Aug. 7, and the first regular-season matches start Monday, Aug. 10. The State Tournament runs Nov. 19-21, giving the Lady Mustangs a 12-week window to defend their title and make another deep postseason run.
