A new era began for the Powell High School volleyball team last week, and while the team won only one of five matches, new coach Morgan Kistler was pleased with the results.

Kistler said the team improved with each match and competed hard, which made the tournament “a stepping stone” to a successful season.

Powell opened pool play against conference rival Pinedale and split the first two sets, losing the first 25-20, but pulling out a 25-23 win in the second. A 15-4 win by the Wranglers in the third set gave Pinedale the win.

Douglas, the defending 3A state champions, was up next for the Panthers and handed them their second defeat. Douglas sailed to a 25-14 win in the first set, but Powell stayed close in the second before taking a 25-20 defeat.

The Panthers recovered quickly from that defeat and scored their first win of the season over Lander, sweeping the Tigers in two sets, 25-18, 25-20.

The results of pool play put the Panthers into the silver bracket on Saturday with a first-round bye. In the semi-final round, they faced Jackson, and the Broncs scored an easy win in the first set, 25-11. Powell came back with a spirited effort, but couldn’t quite close the gap and lost the set 25-22 to give Jackson a sweep.

The loss put the Panthers into the third-place game against Wheatland, and, although they kept the scores close, the Bulldogs prevailed 25-23, 25-21.

Kistler said the team had not done as well as they had hoped, but there were positive signs during the competition and she isn’t too concerned about the first tournament.

“Being able to see what the ladies have been working at in live action was a huge highlight,” she said. “They really competed, and each game we got better.”

Kistler said she shuffled all nine girls, using different combinations in each game while looking for the rotation that worked the best, and the girls adjusted with each change.

“The girls were very flexible and did an excellent job wherever they were played,” she said.

Anissa Warner was the offensive leader for the Panthers with 15 kills to go with 11 blocks. Breanna Donarski contributed 23 assists and 15 digs. Kistler was also pleased with the performance of Brooke Sweet, who was playing in her first varsity tournament.

Kistler indicated that the key to the tournament was that she and the girls learned what they need to improve. That includes adjusting to the new system and to their teammates.

“The girls took away that we are a team and it will take time to learn each others’ tendencies, but we believe we will get there,” she said. “As long as we believe, we will be successful.”  

This week, the Panthers will be in Cody for the Border Wars, featuring competition between teams from Montana and Wyoming. Competition begins Friday at noon and continues at 8 a.m. on Saturday at Cody High School.