A border war comes to Panther gym this weekend when a dozen teams from Montana and Wyoming gather to shoot it out on the volleyball court.The Wyoming-Montana Volleyball Classic, featuring six teams from each state, kicks off Friday at noon with pool play, and will continue Saturday when teams are seeded into a bracket to determine the overall champion.Powell Coach Cindi Smith said hosting the event is an exciting prospect for the team, which last year played in its own gym only four times.“We've traveled all over, playing in so many tournaments,” Smith said. “We've gone to camps and tournaments all over, and except for regionals two years ago, this is the first time we've been able to host our own tournament.”Smith said Worland High School had joined Powell in putting the tournament together. She said the tournament may become an annual event, rotating between the two states.Friday's competition will feature two pools, each with three schools from each state Each Wyoming school play two sets with the three Montana schools. In Pool A, Powell will take on Hardin at noon, Glendive, at 5 p.m. and Miles City at 8 p.m. Cody and Lovell will also play in Pool A.In Pool B, Worland, Lander and Jackson will compete with Laurel, Billings Central and Sidney.Based on the Friday's results, teams will be seeded into a bracket. In the first round, Montana teams will be paired with Wyoming teams from the opposite pool. The number one teams from Montana and Wyoming in each pool will receive byes into the quarterfinals.Bracket play begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, with quarter final matches scheduled at 10 and 11. Consolation matches will be played during the afternoon. Semifinals are scheduled at 2 p.m. and finals at 5 p.m. “It's an opportunity to have something in our community,” Smith said. “The girls are very excited about it."

A border war comes to Panther gym this weekend when a dozen teams from Montana and Wyoming gather to shoot it out on the volleyball court.

The Wyoming-Montana Volleyball Classic, featuring six teams from each state, kicks off Friday at noon with pool play, and will continue Saturday when teams are seeded into a bracket to determine the overall champion.

Powell Coach Cindi Smith said hosting the event is an exciting prospect for the team, which last year played in its own gym only four times.

“We've traveled all over, playing in so many tournaments,” Smith said. “We've gone to camps and tournaments all over, and except for regionals two years ago, this is the first time we've been able to host our own tournament.”

Smith said Worland High School had joined Powell in putting the tournament together. She said the tournament may become an annual event, rotating between the two states.

Friday's competition will feature two pools, each with three schools from each state Each Wyoming school play two sets with the three Montana schools.

In Pool A, Powell will take on Hardin at noon, Glendive, at 5 p.m. and Miles City at 8 p.m. Cody and Lovell will also play in Pool A.

In Pool B, Worland, Lander and Jackson will compete with Laurel, Billings Central and Sidney.

Based on the Friday's results, teams will be seeded into a bracket. In the first round, Montana teams will be paired with Wyoming teams from the opposite pool. The number one teams from Montana and Wyoming in each pool will receive byes into the quarterfinals.

Bracket play begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, with quarter final matches scheduled at 10 and 11. Consolation matches will be played during the afternoon. Semifinals are scheduled at 2 p.m. and finals at 5 p.m.

“It's an opportunity to have something in our community,” Smith said. “The girls are very excited about it."