After a strong start in the first four matches of the season the Powell Panther tennis teams both dropped matches against Jackson on Monday, with the boys falling 4-1 and the girls losing 5-0.

JACKSON MATCHES

The fifth set of matches in five days saw the Panthers struggle against the north conference opponent Broncs, winning only one match out of 10.

“There’s always an impact of sitting on the bus for 5 1/2 hours and then getting off and grabbing your racket to go play,” coach Joe Asay said. “We try to get some time on the ground before we hit the courts, but the nature of the beast is that in that hour of time not everybody is getting on the courts … The kids know they need to get up and moving to get themselves ready for matches.” 

For the boys (4-1), Cade Queen battled in the second set but came up short in a two set defeat (1-6, 5-7).

The one victory on the day came from Nathan Preator, who finished the week 5-0 with only one dropped set as he earned the two set sweep on Monday (6-3, 6-4).

“That was a great way for Nathan to start things in that No. 2 spot.” Asay said.

A close battle came at No. 1 doubles but Jackson once again got the sweep, defeating Keegan Hicswa and Taeson Schultz (4-6, 6-7 (1-7)).

At No. 2 doubles Ryan Barrus and Seeger Wormald were defeated (3-6, 3-6) and Isaac Stensing and Tevon Schultz were defeated at No. 3 doubles (2-6, 1-6).

For the Panther girls (2-3), Lachelle Lee was defeated in No. 1 singles (5-7, 3-6) and Maya Landwehr was defeated in No. 2 singles (1-6, 3-6).

The Whipple sisters, Lucy and Naomi, were defeated at No. 1 doubles (2-6, 0-6); Sophie Czirr and Meaghan McKeen were defeated at No. 2 doubles (4-6, 1-6) and Bailee Allred and Elaina Kousoulos were defeated at No. 3 doubles (3-6, 1-6).

“It’s a pretty solid roster of kids over there,” Asay said. “We knew we would have to go over there and work for it. It’s not the way we wanted to finish that five day run, but the value of getting out on the courts and playing matches will allow the kids to improve the more we are out there competing.”

SHERIDAN SATURDAY

The Panthers continue their roadtrip this weekend, heading on the road to take on Sheridan at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

“There’s always a number of kids that they have in that program,” Asay said. “We should see some familiar faces, they are well coached. It will be a good challenge on both sides.”

That will be the only matchup this weekend, before the Panthers head to Cody on Tuesday at 4 p.m. to take on the Broncs and Fillies in the first of two matchups this season.