Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Mia Carpenter of Fort Dodge competes against Sergeant Bluff-Luton on Thursday at Dodger Courts. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The Fort Dodge girls tennis team got their season started here Thursday just days after having the first practice of the year.

This is the first season that girls high school tennis is taking place in the fall, moving from the usual rotation spot in the spring.

Head coach Julie Astor and the Dodgers wasted little time gaining valuable match experience, taking on both Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Spencer at Dodger courts.

Fort Dodge dropped both matches, as Sergeant Bluff-Luton posted a 9-0 victory and Spencer won by a final of 6-1.

Manuela Rodriguez earned the lone victory, posting a 6-1, 6-4 victory at the No. 1 singles spot vs. Spencer’s Abbey Crew. Two of the three doubles matches did not finish due to darkness.

Madge Hensley played the No. 1 spot in place of Rodriguez vs. Sergeant Bluff-Luton, as the doubles team of Teagan Loots and Brooklyn Kaloupek won three games.

“Manu was steady as usual,” Astor said. “She came out a little tight but battled through it and pulled out the win. I thought Madge did a nice job of stepping in, as did Taylor Cote at the No. 6 spot. I was super proud of both of them.”

Sergeant Bluff-Luton went 20-5 this past spring, falling to Carroll Kuemper in a Class 1A regional quarterfinal. They had an individual state qualifier in Camryn Glass.

Spencer, meanwhile, was 17-7 in duals last spring.

“Both Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Spencer are solid teams that have some state experience,” Astor said. “For many of our girls, this was the first time playing varsity singles. I was proud of their effort and mindset throughout a long day.

“The competition was good, but they did not back down. We found out what we did well and what we need to work on moving forward.”

Next action for the Dodgers will be on Monday when they travel to Ankeny Centennial. The week includes a home dual on Tuesday vs. Marshalltown along with a trip Thursday to Des Moines North.