Powell High School volleyball’s 2021 season will look much different from 2020 for many reasons. There won’t be COVID-19 restrictions, the team will play tournaments on the road and the Panthers are led by a new head coach.

PHS began practice Monday with two-a-days, just a couple weeks before the squad’s first match on Friday, Aug. 27. This marks Lesli Spencer’s first year as the varsity head coach, having previously served as an assistant.

Unlike last season, when the pandemic scrapped several preseason events, the Panthers had a few chances to take the court in exhibition settings. They scrimmaged Powell Valley Healthcare employees at a fundraising event in July and competed in the Northwest College volleyball team camp later that month, playing several matches against teams across the region.

“I just think that the kids love to perform, and to be able to show their skills just takes them up another notch,” Spencer said. “It’s so important.”

Senior Ashlyn Shorb added, “I think that brought us an opportunity to take a step higher as a team and get that little chance to get to play together and get to know each other.”

Three other PHS seniors — Beth Brazelton, Sarah Dunkerley and Meagan Good — are moving up to the varsity this season, while Shorb brings past experience at that level. Shorb’s goal as a leader is to unite the squad so it can reach its full potential.

“I really hope to bring togetherness because I think our team doesn’t lack in talent; we lack in being a team sometimes,” Shorb said. “I just hope we’re able to put differences aside and take our talent one step higher, just by being a team.”

PHS brings back a group of younger players who excelled a year ago. Juniors Maddie Campbell, Megan Jacobsen, Gretel Opps and Mikayla Graham plus sophomores Addy Thorington and Kenzie Ratcliff all saw varsity playing time in 2020.

While Spencer admitted the Panthers are still a “young team,” the varsity experience from some of the youngest members excites the coach.

“It’s going to be hugely beneficial to us,” Spencer said. “They were able to break in as varsity players, without the crowds, which can be very intimidating. Now they don’t really have to worry about that; they have that experience, and they can still roll.”

As for Spencer, her time as an assistant has facilitated the transition to head coach.

“I think it’s an easy step with the kids,” Spencer said. “It’s a completely different level as far as coaching responsibilities, but having that comfortableness with the kids is important.”

Powell’s season begins Aug. 27-28 with a tournament in Riverton. The Panthers also play tournaments in Cody and Rawlins in addition to their conference and non-conference schedule. Only four of the Panthers’ matches are at home.

It has been a while since PHS has seen a winning season, with the last one coming in 2018. In her first season at the helm, Spencer hopes she can help change that trajectory.

“Our goal is to be competitive,” she said. “We want people to worry about the Powell Panther volleyball team coming into their gym — that it could be a loss.”

(Editor's note: The original version of the story inadvertantly omitted PHS senior Beth Brazelton.)