The Powell Panther volleyball team finished 5-1 against a host of 3A teams last weekend in Rawlins but fell just short in the championship game against Buffalo on Saturday to finish second at the Sandy Jebens Invitational.

POWELL 2, NEWCASTLE 0

Starting out on Friday the Panthers (12-3) got the opportunity to see a 3A East opponent for the first time this season, squaring off with Newcastle (3-13) to start pool play.

The Rawlins invitational boasts a different format to most tournaments, with each match being played first to 21 points in pool play, you do not have to win by two points and only two sets are played with ties allowed.

In the knockout rounds there must be a winner, the first two sets are still first to 21 but must be won by two points — the third, decisive set is played first to 15 and must be won by two points.

Powell cruised in its first match of the day, winning 21-12 and 21-11 to start 1-0 in pool play.

POWELL 2, DOUGLAS 0

In the second match of the day the Panthers found a tougher opponent, as the WyoPreps No. 4-ranked Panthers took on the No. 5-ranked Douglas Bearcats (12-7).

Powell got past the Bearcats 21-18 in the first set and looked to sweep Douglas to likely take the top spot in pool play.

An easier second set allowed the Panthers to cruise past for a 21-13 victory and move to 2-0 in pool play.

POWELL 2, LANDER 0

Rounding out action on the first day, Powell got another early season look at a 3A Southwest opponent, taking on the Lander Tigers (6-10).

Powell was able to take control early, and cruised past the Tigers 21-12 and 21-14 to take the top spot in pool play.

“We played solid but we didn’t play amazing (on Friday),” coach Lesli Spencer said. “I felt really good about coming out of the pool on top.”

POWELL 2, WHEATLAND 0

To start knockout round play the Panthers got a look at another east opponent, taking on Wheatland (12-6-1) which defeated Powell at the state tournament last year in the consolation bracket to end the Panthers’ season.

Powell came out and battled in tight sets, winning 21-18 and 21-16.

“Playing Wheatland was good, it was good to play and beat them,” Spencer said. “Wheatland is going to be solid.”

POWELL 2, PINEDALE 1

That victory advanced the Panthers to the semifinals, coming up against Pinedale (9-9-1) for the second time this season with Powell gaining an opportunity to get early season revenge on a 3A Southwest opponent.

Powell did not come out to play early, dropping the first set of the weekend 21-13 to the Wranglers.

“We did not walk out on the court ready to go,” Spencer said. “We had to come back and beat them.”

Powell took a lead in the second set and didn’t look back, earning a 21-16 victory.

The momentum from that set carried over, and the Panthers jumped out early and defeated the Wranglers handily in the third set 15-6 to advance to the championship.

BUFFALO 2, POWELL 1

That championship garnered the Panthers a difficult opponent in the No. 2-ranked Buffalo Bison (13-2-3) as Powell got another look at one of the top teams from the east.

The Panthers came out and took a close first set 21-17, and the match did not get easier as both teams battled point for point throughout.

“Every single point was hard fought on both sides with Buffalo,” Spencer said. “Those girls are tough and never give up.”

Buffalo battled back in the second and took a narrow 21-18 victory, before another tight third set saw the Bison take the match and title 15-11.

Powell will not have to wait long to get another shot at the Bison, playing a full match at Buffalo next Saturday, Sept. 23.

“It’ll be interesting to see how we play in Buffalo in a couple weeks,” Spencer said.

Match stats for the Rawlins tournament were unavailable at press time.

CONFERENCE OPENERS

Powell now heads into a regular schedule for the remainder of the season, coming out of tournament play with a 12-3 record early in the year.

That regular schedule will start at home on Friday, taking on Thermopolis (5-5) in the 3A Northwest quadrant opener at 4:30 p.m. at Powell High School.

It will continue back out on the road Saturday, heading down to Worland to take on the Warriors (7-4) at 1 p.m.

“It’ll be nice to see the girls play one match so they can put everything out on the court in one match,” Spencer said. “I’m hoping to come out with two solid conference wins.”