{gallery}09_08_09/tennis{/gallery}Pablo Garces returns a shot across the net during Thursday's tennis dual between the Panthers and the Cody Broncs. The day did not finish favorably for Powell High School, which saw both the boys' and girls' teams fall short in varsity action. Courtesy photo/Greg WiseAn improved Cody High School squad took advantage of an inexperienced Panthers tennis team on Thursday, taking nine of ten matches.“Cody always plays really well on their home court,” said Powell High School head Coach Ray Bieber.The coach said the Broncs have the best Cody squad he's seen in years, while the Fillies are much improved from last year.“We're hoping that when Cody comes over here, we'll do a bit better. This is just an indication we need to improve as a team,” said Bieber.The bright spot for PHS came from boys No. 3 doubles duo Regan Soloai and Robert Speiser, who claimed a three-set victory over their Bronc opponents.“That was a good win for us,” said Bieber.Overall, CHS brought some styles of play to the court that Powell hadn't seen this year, Bieber said. One Cody doubles team played with two men back, and the boys' No. 1 singles player had a harder kick-serve than Powell's used to.

“Playing different styles is something you need to learn,” said Bieber. “It's just an experience factor.”

The boys No. 1 singles player, senior Pablo Garces of Chile, lost 6-2, 6-3 to Jake Dunham. Freshman Justin Lynn, playing in his first singles matches, fell 6-1, 6-1 to Cody's Nick Mainini.

At No. 1 doubles, Levi Anderson and Sam Wise, both seniors, fell 6-0, 6-2. Junior Tyler Morgan and sophomore Todd Lewis dropped the No. 2 doubles match 6-3, 6-2.

“They played a really good team,” said Bieber.

At No. 3, senior Soloai and junior Speiser took down their Bronc opponents 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

For the Lady Panthers, junior Lisa Schiermeister fell to Cody's three-year No. 1 singles player, Jill Ross, 6-1, 6-1, but had “a lot of close games,” said Bieber.

No. 2 singles senior Brittany Feller lost 6-1, 6-0 to CHS' Christa Munari. Sophomores Emily Kath and Lacey Eckerdt fell 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles.

The No. 2 doubles team of juniors Haylee Humphries and Shelby Walton played “really well,” said Bieber, falling in a tight match 7-6(1), 6-4. At No. 3 doubles, freshman BreaAnn Hollenbeck's and senior Maggie Leitner's play drew similar praise from their coach, being defeated 6-3, 6-4 in a “real close match.”

“They're going to get better as a team,” predicted Bieber.

PHS was scheduled to head to Riverton on Saturday to battle both the hosting Wolverines and Jackson Hole.

Bieber noted that Powell girls team lost six of its eight varsity players from last year, while the boys lost their top two point-earners.

“We very young,” said the coach. “We've got to just keep getting better,” said the coach.