"If you don’t believe, you don’t belong.”

Taylor Woodward’s words may sound harsh, but the Powell High School senior’s sentiment is only a reflection of the Panther volleyball attitude, and what PHS plans to accomplish in 2014.

This team is going to repeat as Class 3A state champions — at least, that’s the consensus coming out of the Panther huddle.

“If we want to be [at state], we have to believe we’re going be there,” Woodward said. “And I don’t think there is one girl on this team that doesn’t believe we can win another state title.”

According to some admissions from Panther players, that collective mindset is a far cry from PHS’ late-season morale in 2013. On Oct. 17, 2013, the Panthers sat at 23-7 and had just clinched the No. 2 seed in the regional tournament with a five-set win over rival Cody.

But nine days later, PHS struggled to a fourth-place finish at regionals, and had toughened its road through state by setting up a first-round matchup with Rawlins, the East’s No. 1 seed.

“I definitely know we were feeling down after that happened,” senior Jenni Ebersberger recalled. “We were frustrated and I think some of us maybe didn’t believe as much that we could still win state. But we put ourselves in that position.”

But as history shows, PHS, as the No. 4 seed in the West, knocked off Rawlins, defeated Jackson Hole and triumphed over Douglas in four sets to claim championship gold. Senior Kelsey Marchant said the pieces fell in place at the right time for the Panthers.

“Last year, we had a hard time figuring out our rhythm and who we were as a team,” Marchant said.

“I think it all clicked for us at state. Regionals was a tough learning experience, and I think we took it to heart heading into the state tournament.”

Panthers coach Cindi Smith said the title win, mixed with the fact PHS graduated just three seniors from 2013, injected an unwavering confidence into her team and provided some much-needed momentum for this season.

“Having come together the way we did, and after working hard to win state, the girls felt great and were excited to get going again this season,” Smith said. “We brought back a lot of experience from last year, and the girls have grown closer and closer as the season has progressed.”

The accuracy of Smith’s assessment lies in the Panthers’ performance this season. Compared to a year ago, PHS is enjoying a 25-2 record and is 5-0 in the 3A Northwest Conference. On top of that, after defeating then-No.1 Mountain View during a 4-0 performance at conference duals on Oct. 11, the Panthers sit atop the 3A rankings. Needless to say, PHS isn’t flying under anyone’s radar this time around, and for the Panthers, that’s OK.

“I think having the pressure and higher expectations drives us to work harder,” senior Makaila Moore said. “All of the hard work we’ve brought to practice everyday is because of those expectations, and it has made us better overall.”

And with just one regular season match left, a senior night showdown with Lander Valley at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at PHS, the Panthers are rolling with the regional tournament at Jackson Hole just eight days away.

“I think the big difference about this year is how much we’ve bonded,” Woodward added. “Last year, we had a senior named Tori Sleep who was sort of the mom of the team. But this year, we don’t have that. We have six leaders who care. We have six seniors who care about this team with all our hearts.”

Those six seniors, Ebersberger, Marchant, Woodward, Moore, Delaney Dent and Megan Wagner, enjoyed the highest level of success that millions of high school athletes each year never get a chance to experience. A state title this season would be Smith’s third during her 17 campaigns as PHS’ varsity coach and her first consecutive titles.

To be in a position to even entertain the idea of a championship repeat put smiles on the Panthers’ faces.

“Another state title would be an amazing way to finish my senior year, and I know my other seniors would agree with me on that,” Moore said. “And this year, compared to last season, we’re all expecting to go farther. We know we can get to state.

“We just need to get ready for the next few weeks because they’re the ones that really matter,” she said.