Submitted photo: Manuela Rodriguez returns a shot for Fort Dodge at the girls state tennis tournament in Waterloo on Wednesday.

WATERLOO — The state tournament didn’t go the way Manuela Rodriguez had hoped, but it was still the perfect place for the Fort Dodge senior to end her standout career.

Rodriguez dropped a straight-set match to North Scott’s Madelyn Jepsen in the opening round, 6-0 and 6-0, at Black Hawk Tennis Club and Byrnes Park.

The Dodger then lost to Tory Hanson of Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, 3-6, 6-2 and 10-5.

“Manu was excited to be there and thrilled to make it,” said FDSH head coach Julie Astor. “Her first-match score didn’t indicate how well she actually played.

“Anytime you get to state and are one of 16 singles players there, it’s huge. You are going to run into tough players every single time.”

Even though she suffered two losses in her state debut, Rodriguez was happy she made the cut.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to close out my senior tennis season,” Rodriguez said. “Everyone was very nice, and the competition was amazing.

“I was privileged to play against two really good girls.”

Astor added Rodriguez gave an all-out effort against very stern competition.

“In the first set of her second match (versus Hanson), I thought that was the best I’ve seen her play this year. She left everything on the court,” Astor said. “She played with all heart.”

Rodriguez went 9-5 for the Dodgers in 2025. She finished her junior season just a few short months ago in the spring with a record of 14-3.

As a sophomore, Rodriguez posted a mark of 9-0 in the regular season before a loss at districts.

Rodriguez, who started playing tennis at seven years old, has been the No. 1 singles player at both St. Edmond (in 2022) and FDSH since entering high school as a freshman.

Playing tennis all four years of high school has been an absolute dream,” Rodriguez said. “Playing for St. Edmond was a good way to ease my way into high school tennis, as I had only played tournaments before. Being at Fort Dodge has also been amazing, not just because I love the sport and the 2A competition was better, but because I made some of my best friends (through the sport).

“Tennis is a big part of who I am, and it’s going to be really hard to leave it all behind. If I’m lucky, I’ll still find places to play in college and beyond.”

Rodriguez has also had a positive impact on her teammates — and coach.

“She’s a great role model in school and everything in general,” Astor said. “Everything Manu does, she gives 100 percent. She has a way of developing relationships, whether it’s someone who’s never played (tennis) before or someone who has been involved with it foor a long time.

“She is almost like another coach for us. Very knowledgeable. She helps everyone and is very likeable. I’m so proud of her. I told her, ‘thanks for putting up with me.’ She will be missed.”