Four matchups over three days gave the Powell Panther tennis teams plenty of action at home and on the road, with the boys’ team finishing 4-0 after losing only one match and the girls going 2-2.

CAMPBELL COUNTY COMPETITION

The first matches of the season came in Gillette on Thursday, with the Panthers starting the season against Campbell County.

On the girls’ side the Panthers cruised to a 5-0 win, with Lachelle Lee winning her No. 1 singles match (6-3, 6-3) and Maya Landwehr getting her first No. 2 singles victory in a three set thriller (6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7-2)).

No. 1 doubles had Lucy Whipple and Sophie Czirr earning their first victory as a duo (6-1, 6-4); No. 2 doubles partners Naomi Whipple and Meaghan McKeen cruised to victory (6-0, 6-2) and No. 3 doubles had another quick victory for Bailee Allred and Elaina Kousoulos (6-1, 6-2).

The boys cruised in their matchup to a 4-1 victory, with the only loss for the squad coming against the Camels on Thursday.

Cade Queen cruised in No. 1 singles (6-0, 6-1) to earn his first victory of the season, and Nathan Preator finished with a victory at No. 2 singles after a difficult first set (7-6, 6-0).

The only loss for the Panthers came in No. 1 doubles, with Keegan Hicswa and Taeson Schultz losing after an opening set victory (6-3, 3-6, 2-6).

“Even with that loss at No. 1 doubles that was a returning crew (for Campbell County) and Keegan was the only returner in that spot (for us),” coach Joe Asay said. “They played them strong and it was a great match regardless of the outcome.”

Seeger Wormald and Ryan Barrus claimed victory at No. 2 doubles (6-1, 6-2) while Isaac Stensing and Tevon Schultz earned a victory by forfeit at No. 3 doubles.

The afternoon matches had the boys cruising once again against Thunder Basin, with Queen (6-1, 6-0) and Preator (6-0, 6-1) earning wins. Hicswa and Taeson Schultz rebounded at No. 1 doubles (6-2, 6-1); Wormald and Barrus won once again at No. 2 doubles (6-4, 6-2) and Stensing and Tevon Schultz got the opportunity to play No. 3 doubles and walked away victorious (6-4, 6-4).

The girls faced a more difficult time against the Bolts, dropping the matchup 4-1.

Lee was defeated at No. 1 singles (3-6, 3-6) and Landwehr was defeated at No. 2 singles (4-6, 1-6).

Lucy Whipple and Czirr lost their matchup at No. 1 doubles (0-6, 1-6) while Naomi Whipple and McKeen lost a difficult three set match at No. 2 doubles (6-4, 1-6, 3-6).

The one bright spot for the Panthers came at No. 3 doubles, where Allred and Kousoulos won a thrilling three set match (6-0, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-4)).

SWEETWATER HOME SERIES

After the trip to Gillette the Panthers returned home Friday, hosting Green River in the first of two days of action against Sweetwater County competition.

The boys continued rolling, losing only one set on the day.

Queen cruised in his match, not losing a single game en route to a 6-0, 6-0 victory.

The one lost set for the Panthers came at No. 2 singles, with Preator recovering from a second set loss and finishing off a three set victory (6-1, 2-6, 6-2).

In No. 1 doubles, Hicswa and Taeson Schultz won (6-2, 6-2); Wormald and Barrus cruised in No. 2 doubles (6-2, 6-1) while Stensing and Tevon Schultz dominated the second set after a close opening set (7-5, 6-0).

Another difficult day greeted the Panther girls against the Wolves, losing the matchup 4-1 to the visitors.

Lee lost a close pair of sets in No. 1 singles (5-7, 4-6) while Landwehr battled in a difficult No. 2 singles matchup that went to three sets (6-4, 4-6, 2-6).

Lucy Whipple and Czirr came up with the only victory on the day at No. 1 doubles (6-1, 2-6, 6-1).

Naomi Whipple and McKeen lost a difficult three set match at No. 2 doubles (4-6, 6-2, 4-6) and Allred and Kousoulos lost close sets at No. 3 doubles (5-7, 3-6).

After a long, hot day on Friday, the Panthers stayed at home for an early morning set of matches against Rock Springs on Saturday.

The boys once again cruised, losing only one set.

That loss came in the opening set for Queen at No. 1 singles — rebounding from that opening set loss to cruise in the final two sets (4-6, 6-1, 6-0).

Preator finished off his weekend 4-0, with a strong victory at No. 2 singles (6-4, 6-1).

Hicswa and Taeson Schultz finished off their weekend 3-1 after a sweep (6-2, 6-2); Wormald and Barrus finished their 4-0 start with another sweep (6-2, 6-3) and Stensing and Tevon Schultz finished with a strong victory (6-3, 6-3).

“I am pretty excited about where everybody is [for the boys],” Asay said.

Trying to finish out the weekend with another victory, the Panther girls squeezed by the Tigers with a 3-2 victory.

Lee lost a difficult battle at No. 1 singles (4-6, 2-6) and Landwehr also lost a difficult No. 2 singles match (1-6, 2-6).

“You have Maya moving from a No. 3 doubles spot into what we call ‘being alone on an island’ in that singles position,” Asay said. “(There were) tough conditions with it being hot along with nerves being a big part of it. Lachelle is also trying to get her groove going, it is just a little bit more of a challenge in both of those spots.”

A new pairing at No. 1 doubles had the Whipple sisters competing together, cruising to victory (6-1, 6-2); Czirr dropped down to No. 2 doubles to compete with McKeen and the duo finished with a two set victory (6-1, 7-6) and Allred and Kousoulos finished off the victory for the Panthers with a strong win (6-4, 6-1).

JACKSON CONCLUSION

Wrapping up a chaotic first five days, the Panthers made the trip to Jackson on Monday to take on the Broncs in another set of conference matches.

“I like what I am seeing on the boys and girls sides,” Asay said.

That will wrap up the early season blitz for Powell, which will take a few days off before continuing the season this upcoming weekend in Sheridan on Saturday.