Just a week after back-to-back losses to Mountain View and Lyman, the Panthers followed up with another 0-2 weekend.

This week, the Powell High School volleyball team dropped matches to Lander Valley and Worland on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Both defeats were in three sets.

Against the Tigers, every set was close. There was never a moment where Powell was too far behind, but the Panthers were never able to take control, losing 25-23, 25-22, 25-18.

Nevertheless, PHS head coach Tasha Miller was proud of her team’s performance in the match.

“We were within two points of Lander in the first two sets and it was hard to not get a win,” Miller said. “The girls all competed in that game, and it was so much fun to watch.”

The next day, PHS hit the road for its match against Worland, and a slow start killed the Panthers’ momentum. They dropped the first set 25-9 and didn’t have much of a rhythm early.

In the subsequent sets, Powell was more competitive, losing those 25-18 and 25-20, but the result was still a 3-0 match loss.

“The girls started out slow and it took us some time to get in our groove and by then, it was too late,” Miller said.

Freshman Kenzie Ratcliff was Powell’s offensive standout individually, leading the team with 18 kills in the two matches. Addy Thorington and Rose Graft followed behind with 13 and 12, respectively. Graft led the team with three service aces.

Defensively, Thorington’s seven blocks were a team-high. Graft and libero Maddie Campbell led the way in digs with 39 and 34, respectively.

Miller noted Megan Jacobsen as another standout in the matches. A sophomore, Jacobsen logged six kills and three blocks over the weekend, and “had some great momentum boosters with her kills, which is exciting to see as we end our season,” the coach said.

PHS sits 6-9 overall on the 2020 campaign with one week remaining in the regular season. The Panthers play a match at Lovell on Friday, and then the focus will turn to regionals.

“There will still be a lot of work on our mental game and competitiveness to get ready for our last game this week and for our postseason,” Miller said.

Due to COVID-19 and the unprecedented nature of this season, the volleyball postseason looks a bit different this year. The Panthers will have to win their first game of the regional tournament to clinch a spot at state, or else their season will come to an end. More will be known about Powell’s postseason prospects after this weekend’s match against Lovell.