Houle qualifies for state with new partner

Senior Zoe Houle and sophomore Kayla Kraemer formed a potent No. 1 doubles team for the Brainerd Warriors this fall, compiling a glistening 19-4 mark during the regular season.

However, Houle and senior Taylor Headlee, who along with Houle is one of the team's four captains, have always wanted to play doubles together. The two went to Warriors coach Ellen Fussy, who put her stamp of approval on the move.

"During the summer we played tournaments together," Houle said. "We kind of knew that because Taylor played singles, and I played doubles, that we would never get to play together. We requested to play together for the (subsection) individual tournament and our wish was granted."

Zoe Houle

Sport: Tennis

Position: No. 1 doubles

Year: Senior

Age: 17

Height: 5-7

Other sports: Softball

Career highlight: Qualifying for state tennis tournament

Grade-point average: 3.98

Favorite classes: Band, choir

Favorite food: Bratwurst

Favorite movie: Tommy Boy

Favorite TV show: Brady Bunch

Favorite Web site: imdb.com

Hobbies: Socializing with friends, watching movies

Future plans: Possibly attend Minnesota State Mankato for dietetics

Favorite athlete: Teammate Taylor Headlee

Parents: Tim and Jeanette Houle

The move paid off as Houle and Headlee won the Central Lakes Conference and North Subsection 8-2A doubles tournaments and finished second in the section tournament. They have won eight of nine matches together and became the first Brainerd girls to qualify for the state tournament since 1991.

"I want to go as far as we can," Houle said of the individual state tournament, which opened Thursday. "We will have to play really hard because, obviously, they're really good down there, but I think we can do it."

Houle has played varsity No. 1 doubles since her sophomore season and this fall helped the Warriors to the first trip to the state team tournament in program history.

"Zoe's hard-working, she moves around the court well, she's very quick, has great anticipation, and is a smart player," Fussy said.

"(Houle and Headlee) have been a great addition to our team the last four years," Fussy added. "They've shown some great leadership. They will be missed. They're good, solid teenagers."