The No. 3-ranked Powell Panther volleyball team ended a quick trip to Lovell with a sweep of the Bulldogs on Thursday night to help the team move to 3-0 after the first half of 3A Northwest play.

POWELL 3, LOVELL 0

(25-11, 25-12, 25-21)

Right out of the gate Thursday the Panthers (16-4 overall, 3-0 3A Northwest) came to play against the Bulldogs (12-9-1 overall, 1-2 3A Northwest).

That strong play came in the form of a Panther 10-0, helping set the tone early and forcing two timeouts from Lovell.

“We stepped out ready to go, which is good,” coach Lesli Spencer said.

Powell got to 12 before the Bulldogs scored, and continued to play strong — finishing the first set with a 25-11 win.

A similar formula followed in the second set, with Powell taking an early lead and holding it until a timeout from Lovell with the score at 15-8.

Powell continued to play strong and finished out the set with a 25-12 victory and searched for a sweep.

The Bulldogs came out quickly in the third and jumped to a 5-1 lead, but the Panthers responded and regained the lead 7-6.

Lovell continued to battle and held the lead midway through the set, and Powell was unable to regain the lead until 18-17 and forced a timeout.

The match continued to be back and forth until it was tied at 21.

Powell took control, scoring the next four points to help complete the sweep.

“We let up a little bit in the third set,” Spencer said. “Being able to pull that out in three sets I’m very happy with.”

Addy Thorington led the way with 19 kills, Stevee Walsh led with 17 assists, Catelynn Floy led with 13 digs and Waycee Harvey had five aces.

That win helped Powell start the first half of the 3A Northwest conference season 3-0, having not dropped a set.

SHERIDAN TUESDAY

After taking the weekend off the Panthers will head into a very busy home schedule this week.

That starts with a matchup against 4A Sheridan (9-12 overall, 1-2 4A Northeast) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday (today).

Powell defeated Sheridan 3-2 in the opening tournament of the season in Lander on Aug. 26 and will try to complete the season sweep while improving throughout the week.

“I don’t remember a lot about Sheridan but they are solid all-around,” Spencer said. “I’m hoping we step on the court and play hard … We are looking for things growth wise this week rather than wins and losses because we have so much going on. If those things improve, the rest will take care of itself.”

After the game Tuesday, Powell will stay at home on Friday and Saturday — hosting the 3A West conference duals where the Panthers will take on all 3A Southwest teams before returning to 3A Northwest action next week.

POWELL 3, LOVELL 0

(25-11, 25-12, 25-21)

Total blocks then solo blocks in ()

Kills — Addy Thorington 19, Saige Kidd 5, Waycee Harvey 4, Catelynn Floy 4, Stevee Walsh 2, Maci Borders 1, Kodee Asay 1

Assists — Stevee Walsh 17, Catelynn Floy 10, Kodee Asay 3, Addy Thorington 2, Saige Kidd 1

Digs — Catelynn Floy 13, Addy Thorington 12, Waycee Harvey 8, Alexa Richardson 8, Kodee Asay 3, Stevee Walsh 1, Saige Kidd 1

Blocks — Saige Kidd .5, Addy Thorington .5

Aces — Waycee Harvey 5, Catelynn Floy 2, Alexa Richardson 1, Addy Thorington 1