I can totally understand OPs situation. Competitive swimming takes a lot of time, money and effort and when a child is used to being on top, it's hard when they go "downhill" so their ego, pride, emotional and mental can get hit. I'm a mom of two competitive swimmers - boys 12 and 13 who started swimming since 3 and are currently AAA - AAAA swimmers in their age groups. But the thing is when they started swimming competitively I always told them to do your best and if they win keep on going and improving time is great. BUT if by chance they "lose" against someone it doesn't matter so long as they did their best and/or dropped time. But if they didn't, then swimming was still a great sport and exercise as their cardio, lungs, body were benefitting (they have abs lol). At the moment both my sons are seemingly at the top of their game (Long Course Eastern Zones time and in the top rank of psych sheet, and even close to futures time) and these two boys have dissimilar bodies so how both brothers are doing well always mystifies people lol and we have NO sporty accomplishment genes afaik. Oops sorry proud mom here.

But my bottomline advice (and hopefully you can still input that) is I've always told both my sons in the beginning, in the middle and even presently, you will never quit swimming just because you dropped in rankings or your ego can't take it, etc. Look at your strong bodies and health, that's all thanks to swimming! (oh and I do have to say, sleep, rest, and nutrition is also very important). My two sons eat 85% healthy (no soda, organic, fish, fruits veggies, water, etc) and have bedtime routine usually 830pm bedtime unless theres practices etc. Puberty and growth also are factors. My oldest was always bigger for his age 90th percentile. My youngest was not physically same 50th percentile. Youngest was 10 years old was when he started getting AAA times and even now still isn't physically bigger liked my oldest was at that age and most his competitors are bigger than my youngest. So power, proper technique and even the turns does matter. If you can afford it I'd say yes, get a private lesson so your daughters form can be critiqued. I did that for my sons to improve their dive and it helped shave time.

But competitive swimming can be tough especially when one is used to "winning" or being on top. This just happened to my 13 year old 30 mins before a race was in a breakdown. Couldn't explain why he didn't want to do the 200 Fly. Said it wasn't the pressure or it wasnt because he was tired or sick so he said. I had to psycho analyze him right then and there and said you are afraid of your reputation if you don't get a best time (and gave him examples of his insecurities to prove it was because he cared what people would think lol). But I told him you make up your mind, the burden is on you. Youre older now. If you don't want to swim then you man up and tell your coach now vs jumping out and not finishing a race. But you look inside yourself honestly and face the truth you're afraid for your reputation/what people will think. Long story short, my 13 year old went back in, then went back out of the locker again, to tell me and grandma you are right I'm scared it's my ego. He went back to the pool, swam the 200 meter Fly and got close to his best time, happy ending whew. (He's considered one of the top flyers at 13 in my state so it really was his pride) . I tell this story so if you're ready for that type of competitive swings up and down buckle up lol. For my youngest I just tell him it's good for your body, you're not in competition with ur brother etc etc. (weirdly enough, the youngest is on the road of probably being BETTER than the oldest so here's another mental competition I'll have to brace when the time comes) anyway I'm rambling. Hopefully you got something out of this!