Klein is among the favorites in various divisions in 13-5A tennis, and when the district tournament rolls around in early April, you just might find both Bearkat mixed doubles teams in the finals.

"It's not out of the question because both teams are playing very well this spring," Klein coach Holly Cannon said. "We're most confident about our mixed doubles, girls doubles and boys singles when it comes to district."

Senior Charles Lin and sophomore Emily Olivier, and juniors Harrison Marsh and Kaysie Hermsdorf, are two of the best mixed doubles teams in 13-5A, and most coaches look for an all-Bearkat district championship battle.

Senior Precious Gbadamosi and her junior sister Princess form Klein's No. 1 girls doubles team, and after taking top honors at the recent Fort Bend ISD Tournament, and because of other past accomplishments, most coaches make them the team to beat in 13-5A.

Klein junior Gandi Bhakthavachalam has placed second in 13-5A boys singles the past two seasons, and he was third at regionals as a freshman and just missed state, so there's even deeper focus on a 13-5A championship and much more this season, according to Cannon.

Tomball senior George Rivers is the defending 13-5A boys singles champion who went on to place second at regionals in 2010 and advance to the University Interscholastic League State Tournament where he fell in the first round.

"Bhakthavachalam beat Rivers in a recent tournament, and they're the favorites to get back to the 13-5A finals," Cannon said. "Bhakthavachalam had to play through some injuries last year, so he's really excited about being healthy and playing well this season."

Rivers outlasted Bhakthavachalam 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) in the 13-5A finals last spring.

Klein Oak junior Melissa Burckhartt won a state title with her sister, Allison (now playing at Oklahoma State), in girls doubles last year, and now she's among the best in 13-5A girls singles.

"She is fired up about playing singles this year, and we expect her to get to state," Klein Oak coach Nathan Wilcox said. "But the challenges are there because regionals in never a gimme, and neither is district.

Wilcox is also excited about his boys doubles teams of senior Tyler Warren and sophomore Hunter Lahasky, and seniors Bryan Hardy and Dan Horodecky, and a freshman mixed doubles duo featuring Lili Ana Terry and Chase Gebhart.

"We looking to be competitive in boys doubles, and the freshmen are gaining great experience for this season and the future," the Panthers' first-year head coach said.

Klein Collins coach Craig Foster continues to look at different scenarios, but he's certain about junior Steven Mundt and sophomore Clay Jones forming one of 13-5A's best boys doubles team.

"To me, they are the favorites," he said. "They've pretty much beat everyone in district, and they have a good shot to win the 13-5A title and head to regionals."

The district tournament is April 5-7 at various 13-5A high schools.