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Competition will begin Friday with 15 teams competing in pool play for spots in bracket play on Saturday. The Panthers will open against West Conference rival Pinedale in a pool that includes the Douglas Bearcats from the East Conference and another …
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The Powell Panther volleyball team hits the road to open their season this weekend at the Douglas Invitational.
Competition will begin Friday with 15 teams competing in pool play for spots in bracket play on Saturday. The Panthers will open against West Conference rival Pinedale in a pool that includes the Douglas Bearcats from the East Conference and another West Conference rival, the Lander Tigers.
The Panthers and Bearcats are set to meet in the second game for both teams on Friday. The teams last met in the state semi-finals last year, when Douglas spoiled Powell’s bid to repeat as state champions. This year, the Bearcats are the defending state champions and Powell will be looking to improve on their third-place finish and take back the championship.
New head coach Morgan Kistler said Tuesday that her team is “shaping up well” after a week of two-a-day practices and an extra workout on Saturday, and she has been impressed by the work ethic the girls have shown in preparing for the season opener.
“I’ve been moving them around to give them experience at other positions, and I think they liked that,” Kistler said.
As a new coach, Kistler was introducing a new system, and the girls worked hard to adjust.
“It was a lot of stuff (to learn) and they picked it right up,” Kistler said.
A core of six seniors brings plenty of experience to the new season. Breanna Donarski, an all-conference and all-state performer last year leads the group, which includes Anissa Warner, Emily Herman, Kinsey Ashby, Nikkole Schneider and Richelle Phister.
During their career as Panthers, Powell has been in the state semi-finals all three years, and won the state title in 2013, so the girls know what it takes to win, Kistler said.
Along with Douglas, East Conference teams Buffalo, Glenrock, Torrington, Newcastle, Wheatland and Worland will be competing this weekend at the invite. Jackson will join Powell, Lander and Pinedale to represent the West Conference. Defending 2A champion Lyman will be competing along with Thermopolis, Wright and Shoshoni from the 2A ranks.
The JV team will also be competing in Douglas while the freshman team remains at home to host a tournament beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday in the high school gym.
