The Powell Panther tennis teams continued to learn early in the season going against difficult opponents in Gillette on Saturday, as the Panther girls defeated Campbell County 3-2 but lost to Thunder Basin 4-1, while the Panther boys lost both matchups 3-2.

“When we go over the hill to Gillette we’re always anticipating that we’re going to get some pretty good matches,” coach Joe Asay said.

GIRLS

POWELL 3, CAMPBELL COUNTY 2

The weekend started strong for the Panther girls, as Naomi Whipple defeated Kendall Mills at No. 1 singles 7-5, 6-2, and Bailee Allred defeated Kylie Groves 6-2, 7-5 at No. 2 singles to give the Panthers the sweep in the singles matches.

Campbell County got the win at No. 1 doubles, as Kyra Morrow and Isabelle Urbach fell to Rylie Heibult and Tarryn Haugen 6-2, 6-4.

Powell secured the team win at No. 2 doubles, where Elaina Kousoulos and Leah Pittman defeated Adalyn Ardnt and Paedyn Coulter with a pair of 6-2 set wins.

The Camels got an additional win at No. 3 doubles in a close matchup, as Noelle Leighton and Anna David fell to Sydney Schaffer and Thais Canas in consecutive 7-5 sets.

THUNDER BASIN 4, POWELL 1

In the second matchup of the day the Panthers were able to earn one win, as Allred completed her 2-0 day with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Emily Reede at No. 2 singles.

“She’s (Allred) one of those kids that have just put in a ton of time on the court as soon as the snow cleared and the nets were up,” Asay said. “She’s going to be very competitive in that two singles spot this year.”

Whipple fell for the first time this season at No. 1 singles, losing to Ellie Garcia 6-4, 6-2.

Morrow and Urbach were defeated at No. 1 doubles by Liv Katschke and Eva Gorsuch in consecutive 6-2 sets, Kousoulos and Pittman fell in consecutive 6-3 sets at No. 2 doubles to Emma Kendrick and Maria Bureo Latorre and Leighton and David fell to Tearyn Anderson and Julia Stevens at No. 3 doubles in two straight 6-1 sets.

BOYS

CAMPBELL COUNTY 3, POWELL 2

On the boys’ side, the Panthers fell in both singles matches, as Nathan Preator suffered his first loss of the year at No. 1 singles to Jaxon Richert in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, and Calvin Opps fell in three sets at No. 2 singles to Leland Jenkins 4-6, 6-3, 1-6.

The Panthers got the win at No. 1 doubles, as Ryan Barrus and Memphis Solberg defeated Ty Ruff and Emitt Kindsvogel 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).

Kazdyn Lee and Isaac Dunsey fell to Elk Melinkovich and Tayten Walker 6-2, 6-4, but Jonathan Clark and Josh Waite got the win for the Panthers at No. 3 doubles, rebounding from an opening set loss 3-6 before winning two straight sets 6-4.

“That’s a good win for those three dubs. They’ve been really close,” Asay said. “They’re right there, ready to compete. It was a good outing.”

THUNDER BASIN 3, POWELL 2

Against the Bolts the Panthers got a win at No. 1 singles, as Preator defeated Carter Rodgers 6-2, 6-4 to rebound from his first loss of the year.

Opps fell to Parker Gulley in straight sets 6-1 at No. 2 singles, while Barrus and Solberg fell to the Moore twins, Garrett and Jackson, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 1 doubles.

“That’s a pretty strong doubles team, but pretty positive with Ryan and Memphis coming off the court, recognizing the strength of the opponents,” Asay said.

Lee and Dunsey got the other win for Powell at No. 2 doubles, defeating Andrew and Eli Howell 6-4, 1-6, 6-1.

Clark and Waite fell in a closely contested matchup at No. 3 doubles, losing the opening set 6-3, winning the second set 6-1 before ultimately losing 6-3 in the third set.

ROAD TRIP CONTINUES

The Panthers head back out on the road this week, taking part in a number of matches around the state.

Powell heads to Jackson to take on the Broncs at 1 p.m. on Friday, before turning around to take on Sheridan at noon on Saturday.

The Panthers return to Park County next Thursday, to make the short trip over to Cody to take on the Fillies and Broncs for the first time this season at 4 p.m.

“The north is a strong conference,” Asay said. “It’ll be nice to have the week to address some of the takeaways from matches last Saturday and look forward to some good competition if the weather holds out.”