Four sets of matches in two days saw the Powell Panther volleyball team finish with a 3-1 record in the Lander Invitational, defeating three different levels of competition at the event.

POWELL 3, LANDER 1

Starting out the new season in Lander, the Panthers (3-1) got a preview of a 3A West opponent to start the season — taking on the host Tigers (1-3) in the first match.

Powell got off to a fast start, blitzing the hosts in the first set and cruising to a 25-12 victory.

Despite a closer second set, Powell still came out on top with a 25-20 victory.

Lander took advantage of a poor third set by the Panthers, finishing with a 25-20 victory and forcing a fourth set.

“Just trying to continue to figure out how to step on the court every time,” coach Lesli Spencer said. “Not letting down if the match is won and keeping that momentum into the next one. That’s a skill and it has to be learned.”

Powell rebounded in the fourth set, taking a big lead early before finishing down the stretch with a 25-18 victory.

PINEDALE 3, POWELL 1

After the opening victory, the Panthers turned around to match up with yet another 3A West opponent — taking on Pinedale (2-2) to finish off Friday afternoon.

Pinedale came out and broke away late to take the first set 25-18, and took a 2-0 lead after a second set victory 25-19.

Powell rebounded in the third set, earning a 25-19 win and helping force an extra set.

Serving continued to be a problem for the Panthers in the match, and they lost 25-20 to the Wranglers.

“Pinedale didn’t surprise me, but our serving was horrible,” Spencer said. “They had some good hits, but we gave them a lot of points on missed serves.”

Spencer said that the team is working on learning when to be aggressive in their serving, while also finding a balance between knowing they need to just get the ball in play if serving is not going well.

POWELL 3, SHERIDAN 2

Continuing the weekend in Lander, the Panthers got a crack at a 4A school, taking on the Sheridan Broncs (2-2) to start the morning.

It would prove to be a difficult match throughout, giving Powell a strong early season test.

Powell just came out ahead in the first set 25-21, and again won a tight second set after the game went beyond 25 points — earning a close 29-27 victory.

That gave Powell a two set advantage, but the Broncs had an answer.

Another close third set saw Sheridan edge out a 25-22 victory, and finish with a 25-19 fourth set victory to force a decisive fifth set.

Both teams battled for points until the end, but Powell pulled away to finish with the 15-11 fifth set win and move to 2-1 on the season.

“We didn’t block nearly as well on Saturday as we did on Friday,” Spencer said. “I don’t know if their legs were tired, or if they were still getting into the momentum of the season … Having said that, we still got the win.”

POWELL 3, WYOMING INDIAN 0

Wrapping up the first weekend the Panthers made the short trip to take on 2A Wyoming Indian (0-4) in the final match.

Powell came out strong, dominating the first two sets and holding Wyoming Indian to only 11 points combined (25-5, 25-6).

The Panthers earned their first sweep of the season, finishing the match with a 25-18 victory.

BORDER WARS IN CODY

Powell will now make a shorter trip for the second weekend of the season, heading to Cody on Friday and Saturday to take part in the Border Wars against Montana competition.

“I enjoy the Border Wars to see those Montana teams. They play a little differently, so it is nice to adjust and see that and have the girls see the difference,” Spencer said.

The schedule for the Border Wars will be in Thursday’s edition of the Powell Tribune.

The Panthers are still learning the ins and outs of a new rotation this season which includes players in different positions in addition to new players who have little varsity experience.

“All in all the girls had a good weekend, but once we figure this out and the girls are comfortable in all their spots we are going to be hard to beat,” Spencer said.

Powell opened the season at No. 3 in the WyoPreps Coaches and Media preseason poll, receiving two first place votes, one second place vote and five third place votes.

Powell is behind defending champion Mountain View which started at No. 1, state runners up Lyman at No. 2, and ahead of 3A East competition Buffalo at No. 4 and Douglas at No. 5.