6 El Paso High School Tennis Players Headed to State Tournament

Austin High School's Samantha Pedroza named Athlete of the Week after qualifying

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:18pm

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A cubist-inspired painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors, representing the dynamic action and competition of a high school tennis match.The UIL state tennis tournament will showcase the top high school talent in Texas, including six players from El Paso who have qualified to compete.El Paso Today

Six high school tennis players from El Paso, Texas have qualified to compete in the 2026 Texas UIL state tournament in Class 5A and Class 6A. This includes Samantha Pedroza from Austin High School, who was recently named the El Paso Times' Athlete of the Week for her performance.

Why it matters

Tennis is a popular high school sport in El Paso, and qualifying for the prestigious UIL state tournament is a major accomplishment for these young athletes. The tournament showcases the top talent in the state and provides an opportunity for the players to compete at the highest level.

The details

The six El Paso players who qualified for the UIL state tournament come from various high schools in the area. Samantha Pedroza, a standout player from Austin High School, was recognized as the El Paso Times' Athlete of the Week for her performance that helped her earn a spot in the state tournament.

  • The 2026 Texas UIL state tennis tournament will take place in May.

The players

Samantha Pedroza

A tennis player at Austin High School who was named the El Paso Times' Athlete of the Week after qualifying for the UIL state tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Qualifying for the state tournament is a huge accomplishment for these players. They've worked hard all season and deserve to be recognized for their achievements.”

— El Paso Times Sports Editor

What’s next

The UIL state tennis tournament will take place in May, where the six El Paso players will compete against the top high school tennis talent in Texas.

The takeaway

The success of these El Paso high school tennis players demonstrates the strength of the sport in the region and the dedication of these young athletes to excel at the highest levels of competition.