Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson has been dealing with a back injury for most of the season.
On Saturday, the pain finally became too much.
Peterson was forced to withdraw from her final match in the Class 2A singles division of the girls’ state tennis tournament at Iowa City. She finished in eighth place.
“We’re incredibly proud of her for making it into the top eight!” said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. “It is such an impressive accomplishment, especially after all she has had to overcome this season with her injury.”
After winning a pair of consolation matches on Friday to become a placewinner, Peterson dropped a 6-2, 6-3 decision to Riley Hilton of Waukee Northwest in a consolation semifinal on Saturday morning.
Then, in the seventh-place match, Peterson trailed by a score of 6-0, 4-2 against Brianna Launderville of Johnston when she could no longer continue.
“Samara faced some tough opponents, and Friday’s three matches really took a toll on her back,” Gustafson said. “Although she was able to rest that night, the fatigue and soreness carried over into Saturday. Despite the pain, she gave it her all in both of her Saturday matches. She competed with heart and determination, but wasn’t quite able to outlast or outplay her opponents this time.”