Starting on the road in Sweetwater County the Powell Panther tennis teams squared off with Green River and Rock Springs, as the boys split their matchups and the girls fell in both contests.

BOYS

GREEN RIVER 4, POWELL 1

Starting at the No. 1 singles spot for the Panther boys is Memphis Solberg, who fell in his opening match 6-1, 6-1.

In the No. 2 singles spot was Calvin Opps, who lost the first set 6-2 before rebounding with a 7-6 second set win with a 8-6 tiebreaker, but ultimately fell 7-5 in the third set.

“Came up short, but they went deep, played a lot of tennis there,” coach Joe Asay said.

Kazdyn Lee and Sawyer Wormald slotted in at No. 1 doubles for the Panthers, but fell in two sets by identical scorelines 6-1, 6-1.

Lincoln Hull and Stetzen Lee took over at No. 2 doubles, falling 6-0, 6-1.

The lone win for the Panthers came from Tucker Phillips and David Stensing at No. 3 doubles, as they dropped their first set 6-4 before rebounding with two straight set wins 6-2, 6-0.

POWELL 3, ROCK SPRINGS 2

Hoping to earn the split, the Panthers took on the Tigers in the afternoon, as Solberg got the victory at No. 1 singles with a 6-3, 6-2 win.

Opps followed that with an equally strong victory, securing a clean sweep at No. 2 singles with a 6-0, 6-0 win.

The Tigers got the better of Kazdyn and Wormald at No. 1 doubles, as the Panther duo fell 6-3, 7-5.

“They unfortunately didn’t get a win in either location, but played really good tennis,” Asay said. “After some nerves and whatnot in Green River, they really started to play really well.”

Powell took the overall victory with a two-set sweep at No. 2 doubles, as Phillips and Stensing moved up and earned their second win of the day 6-1, 6-2.

At No. 3 doubles in a close match, Hull and Stetzen took a 7-6 first set win, before losing the second set 7-5. In an ultimate tiebreaking third set, the Tigers took the win 10-6.

“Lots of good tennis. We had all the kids that could travel with us,” Asay said. “Everybody had a chance to get out and play, always enjoy these opening matches with the nonconference opponents there in Rock Springs and Green River, giving kids the opportunity to play some matches.”

GIRLS

GREEN RIVER 4, POWELL 1

Naomi Whipple started strong for the Panther girls, getting an opening match win without dropping a game, 6-0, 6-0.

“I’m excited to see what this season will bring for Naomi,” Asay said. “The tennis maturity and the time and effort that she puts into it, I’m excited to see what this season is going to look like for her.”

Asay added that the No. 1 singles for the Wolves was not their primary No. 1 singles player as she could not play due to practices, but that the two were able to play in an exhibition match.

Slotting in at No. 2 singles for the Panthers was Aubrey Kelley, who fell in straight sets 6-1, 6-2.

In at No. 1 doubles for the Panthers were Noelle Leighton and Ashlee Jacobsen, who fell in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.

“She’s (Leighton) made a big jump from the three spot up to the one doubles,” Asay said. “Finally glad to get Ashlee out on the courts. Been working to get her there … Glad to see her out there, super athletic kid, eager to learn and coachable.”

Another set of Kelleys slotted in at No. 2 doubles for the Panthers, as Brynn and Addy took over, falling in straight sets 6-0, 6-0.

No. 3 doubles for the Panthers was Ava Kelley and Alexa Kromrey, who also fell in straight sets 6-0, 6-0.

ROCK SPRINGS 3, POWELL 2

In the second matchup of the day the Panthers again got a big win from Whipple, as she did not drop a game once again as she won 6-0, 6-0.

Aubrey earned her first win of the season, as she took the victory 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 singles.

“She’s a great kid and very coachable. Willing to get out there and really work from the first to the last point,” Asay said. “It was pretty exciting to see that (win).”

Rock Springs took charge in the doubles matches, as Leighton and Jacobsen fell 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles.

Addy and Brynn fell at No. 2 doubles but earned a game in the second set of a sweep 6-0, 6-1.

An identical scoreline followed for the No. 3 doubles Panthers, as Ava and Kromrey also earned a game in their second set as they fell 6-0, 6-1.

“Great kids, great opportunities, just overall as a team fun to have these kids around,” Asay said.

HOME CONFERENCE MATCHES

The Panthers turn around with a week of practice this week, before hosting their first conference matches of the season on Saturday against the Gillette schools.

Powell starts with Campbell County at 10 a.m. before taking on Thunder Basin at 2 p.m.

“We played through our tournament this last week, and that certainly gives us a good starting point, but we’re going to start trying to look at some really good matchups,” Asay said. “We’ll certainly take this week to try and figure some of that out, see what we can put on the court against the Gillette teams, and certainly look at some of the positives and some of the things that we can improve on and work on (in Green River and Rock Springs,” Asay said. “We’re looking forward to this week.”