Powell Middle School seventh graders showed significant promise in their first year of school volleyball. Both the Cubs’ A and B teams notched a handful of wins in their 2020 seasons.

More important than wins and losses, though, was the girls’ dedication throughout the season.

“Seventh-grade volleyball started with 21 girls and ended with 21 girls,” head coach Jodee Metzler said. “As coaches we always consider this a success. Starting with the same number you ended with means the girls are enjoying themselves.”

Very few of the Cubs entered the season with any volleyball experience, so much of the work in practice focused on the sport’s fundamentals. As the year progressed, Metzler saw the girls make leaps and consistently sharpen their skills.

“In seventh grade we learn the basics of the skills and the game,” Metzler said. “One of our greatest successes is that every girl was able to make an overhand serve over during a game.”

The A team’s wins came against Worland and Thermopolis, while the B team picked up victories against Worland, Cody and Greybull.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were various social distancing and mask protocols put into place, making the girls’ first season of school volleyball abnormal. But even so, the girls went with the flow and focused instead on improving as a team.

“They were a very coachable group, and with new COVID restrictions, they never questioned different practices or let down their game because of different requirements,” Metzler said. “The girls worked hard all season and continued to make gains until the end.”

Before moving up to the high school ranks, the girls will have one more year of middle school volleyball, when they become eighth graders. The coach said she’s excited to see how they continue sharpening their games as they gain more experience.

“This group will continue to grow and find more success with experience because they are hard workers and are very coachable,” Metzler said.