Despite several close matches, Powell High School’s tennis squads took just one win from Cody last week.

The Broncs swept Powell 5-0, while the Fillies took four of five matches at PHS on Thursday. PHS head coach Ray Bieber had said the matchup with Cody — “They’re very well-coached, just an excellent team” — would tell the Panthers and Lady Panthers where they stood.

“It was a good gauge that we need to improve at certain spots and then we just need to finish at certain spots,” Bieber said.

Four of the matches went to three sets, but Powell came up short in three of those. Another match could have shifted with just a couple games going PHS’ way.

“Lot of close matches,” Bieber said.

It was girls No. 1 singles player BreaAnn Hollenbeck who broke through for Powell. After dropping the first set, Hollenbeck stormed back to win over Cody’s Jenna Parduba, 1-6, 6-4, 6-0. Her coach was proud.

“She came back and was really determined,” said Bieber.

Cydney Barrus, playing in the No. 2 singles position, was close to putting up a win. She pushed CHS’ Jenny McDonald in three close sets before falling 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Bieber said Barrus played really well and said it was a shame the match ended the way it did.

No. 1 doubles teammates Haley Wichman and Laura Bright lost 6-1, 6-1. Bieber said games were close for the girls, who are getting their first varsity experience.

Savannah Harker and Marisa Sanders nearly forced a decisive third set before losing 6-1, 7-5 at No. 2 doubles.

Rachel Anderson and Josie Brinkerhoff had a dominant second set, but lost 6-2, 0-6, 6-1 at No. 3 doubles.

In No. 1 singles for the boys, Cody’s Shad Moir earned a 6-0, 6-0 decision over PHS’ Sam Prestwich.

Powell’s Cody Akin fell to Cody’s Dan Dunn at No. 2 singles, 6-1, 6-0.

Marshall McArthur and Justin Lynn played a tight match against Cody’s No. 1 doubles team. They lost in three sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

No. 2 doubles players Jeffrey Pool and Matt Brown were beaten 6-2, 6-2 by their Cody counterparts. Bieber said the pair played pretty well and “they had room for improvement.”

Cody also squeaked out a win at No. 3 doubles, edging Kalei Smith and Sterling Cozzens 7-5, 7-6(5).

“They (Smith and Cozzens) had a real chance to win,” Bieber said.

Bieber noted that Thursday’s matchup with Cody was only the preseason. It’ll be the match in Cody in a couple weeks that really counts. Cody was missing a few players on Thursday, so it’s possible they’ll be even tougher next time, Bieber said.

“All you can do is the best you can do,” said the coach. “I do expect our team to compete every point until the very end.”

The PHS tennis teams were set to host Jackson on Friday and Riverton on Saturday. Those results will be featured in Thursday’s Tribune.