Worland brought together every team in the 3A West for the conference duals on Friday and Saturday, showing off how difficult the 3A West is. Still, the Powell Panther girls volleyball team earned its first conference win of the season, defeating Lyman in five sets Friday night, but also dropped two five set matches to Pinedale and Mountain View and was swept by Lander.

PINEDALE 3, POWELL 2

(25-10, 22-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-9)

Starting the weekend against the Wranglers (17-10-1 overall, 4-3 3A West) the Panthers (15-3-1 overall, 1-6 3A West) got off to a slow start, losing the first set 25-10.

Powell rebounded and rallied late in the second set, taking a 25-22 win to tie the match 1-1 and win the first second set for the Panthers since the last time the Panthers were in Worland on Sept. 16.

Pinedale took the third set 25-21, before another rally in the fourth set earned the Panthers a 25-22 victory and forced a winner-take-all fifth set.

Powell took the lead early, but a strong run proved to be too much from the Wranglers as they won the final set 15-9.

Kaedenze Carter led the Panthers in kills with 11, digs with 19 and aces with four while Leah Graham led with 27 assists and five blocks, all solo. 

POWELL 3, LYMAN 2

(21-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 16-14)

In the second match of the weekend, the Panthers again lost the first set 25-21 to the Eagles (16-13-1, 2-5 3A West), before winning the second set with the reverse scoreline of the first to tie the match at one apiece.

Each set continued to be just as close, as Lyman took the third set 25-23, before Powell earned another 25-21 win to force a fifth set.

The Panthers held on and won their first conference match of the season, finishing the last set with a 16-14 win.

“In this conference because it is so close, every win matters and I think this win helps build some confidence,” coach Anna Flitner said.

Stats from the Lyman match were unavailable as of press time.

MOUNTAIN VIEW 3, POWELL 2

(21-25, 25-12, 17-25, 25-21, 15-13)

On Saturday morning the Panthers and Buffalos (17-12-1 overall, 6-1 3A West) played yet another close match.

Powell started with a 25-21 win in the first set before falling 25-12 in the second.

The Panthers earned the third set win 25-17 before losing 25-21 to head into yet another fifth set.

Mountain View edged out the win with a 15-13 scoreline to take the match 3-2.

“I think going to five sets with some of the top teams helped build confidence and will help build some motivation for going into regionals,” Flitner said. “We also know a little more of what to expect.”

Stats from the Mountain View match were unavailable as of press time.

LANDER 3, POWELL 0

(25-12, 25-21, 25-19)

In the final match of the weekend the Panthers took on the Tigers (9-20 overall, 1-6 3A West). After playing three five set matches in two days the Panthers were unable to find their footing, as the Tigers earned the sweep with wins of 25-12, 25-21 and 25-19.

Kindyle Floy led the Panthers with nine kills, Graham led with 20 assists, Carter had eight digs, Hali Hancock had two blocks, one solo, while Graham tied with Abigail Visocky for the team lead with two aces each.

WORLAND THURSDAY

Powell returns home this week for one match Thursday evening, welcoming in the Worland Warriors (12-13-2 overall, 2-5 3A West) at 6 p.m.

“We need to figure out how to play with consistency and continue to be aggressive when the games get close rather than play scared or timid,” Flitner said. 

Powell closes out the regular season next week, with a match on the road against Cody and one final home game Thursday against Lovell.