Panthers reach gold bracket

Posted 9/15/15

The Panthers took on Pinedale, Newcastle and Torrington in Friday’s pool play, playing two sets against each team. The Powell girls finished with an even split, winning one and losing one with each team, a performance good enough to earn a spot in …

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Panthers reach gold bracket

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PHS Volleyball preps for 3A West in Rawlins

The Powell Panthers head into conference competition this week after closing out the preseason with a mixed performance in tournament action in Rawlins over the weekend that featured all 16 Class 3A teams.

The Panthers took on Pinedale, Newcastle and Torrington in Friday’s pool play, playing two sets against each team. The Powell girls finished with an even split, winning one and losing one with each team, a performance good enough to earn a spot in Saturday’s Gold Bracket.  

Powell joined the Mountain View Buffaloes as the only West Conference teams in the Gold Bracket, joining Eastern Conference teams Newcastle, Buffalo, Douglas, Rawlins and Worland. Bracket sets were played to 21 and matches were best of three sets.

The Panthers opened with Newcastle and fell to the Dogies in two sets, 21-11, 21-14.

The match was played early in the morning, and PHS head coach Morgan Kistler said the girls were tired after playing a late game Friday evening and weren’t as ready to play as they should have been.

The Panthers made a better effort against a good Buffalo team, and led through much of the first set but the Bison took the lead late in the set and pulled out a 21-18 victory. Powell stayed close in the second set, but Buffalo took control in the end and won the match 21-17.

Despite the losses, Kistler said the Panthers demonstrated continued improvement. She “switched girls around” during the weekend, and they responded well. They are “getting the kinks out” of their play, communicating better and improving their teamwork.

“We have our rotation figured out and the girls all know their roles,” she said. “They are ready for the competition.”

The Panthers open their conference season Thursday with a trip to Cody to take on the Fillies. Friday they will be at home to entertain the Lovell Lady Bulldogs. Powell beat Cody once during the preseason, and will be looking to start off the conference season with a win. Lovell will have the same motivation, and has a history of playing hard against bigger schools. Kistler expects tough competition, not only this week, but throughout the entire season.

“In the West, I think everybody is about equal,” she said. “They are all working hard and putting together competitive teams.”

Kistler said that she is confident her team is ready, and she promises those who follow the Panthers one thing.

“The kids are going to play hard and do their best to win these games,” she said.

Varsity action begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday night in Cody and 6 p.m. Friday in Powell. Freshmen and JV contests will precede the varsity match both nights.

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