Headlee, Houle finish season, careers

Taylor Headlee and Zoe Houle ended their high school careers where every tennis player wants to finish - at the state tournament.

In the Class 2A state doubles tournament at Baseline Tennis Center at the University of Minnesota on Thursday, the Brainerd Warriors' duo lost both of their matches.

Elizabeth Graven and Taylor Ahlborn of Benilde-St. Margaret's defeated Headlee-Houle 6-1, 6-2. In the consolation round, Varvara Zelenia-Elizaveta Zelenia of Eagan lost the first set 7-6 (10-8 tiebreaker) before bouncing back to beat Headlee-Houle 6-4, 6-4.

"The first match we were pretty nervous," Houle said. "We didn't play as well as we normally do. They were a good, hard team.

"The second match was pretty good. We played pretty well. We won the first set in a tiebreaker, but they battled back. It was back and forth each game, they were all going deuce. They were good, hard hitters."

Headlee also experienced a few jitters in the first match.

"I was nervous that it was the first match at state," she said. "I got that out of the way, and we played better the second match."

Warriors coach Ellen Fussy said her senior captains went out in style.

"Zoe was serving the best I've seen her all year," Fussy said, "and Taylor was moving to the net, she was coming forward very well. They made a few crucial mistakes at crucial times that kind of cost them the match, but they played really well. They didn't give up, they played every point.

"In doubles it's boom, boom, boom, and the point is over. This match the ball was back and forth before the point was decided.

"They stayed strong. They played like the senior captains they are. They have nothing to hang their heads about, that's for sure."

Houle and Headlee finished the season 8-3 as a doubles team. Earlier this week they helped Brainerd to the first trip to state in program history.

"Lots of kids have been there since ninth grade, like the girls we played," Headlee said. "It was exciting and really fun. Zoe and I played hard. We left it out there."

"I'm glad I made it just to have the experience," Houle said. "I guess it's OK now to say that, but it would have been nice to win. But just being here was cool."

Class 2A doubles

Opening round

Elizabeth Graven-Taylor Ahlborn (Benilde-St. Margaret's) def. Taylor Headlee-Zoe Houle (Brd) 6-1, 6-2

Consolation round

Varvara Zelenia/Elizaveta Zelenia (Eagan) def. Headlee-Houle 6-7 (8-10), 6-4, 6-4

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.