{gallery}10_19_10/phsvolley{/gallery} Becky Dent tips a ball over a Worland block attempt for a point as Olivia Rogers (11) covers a possible return. Dent contributed five kills to the Lady Panthers' 3-0 sweep of the Lady Warriors.Tribune photo by Don Amend The Powell Lady Panthers will take some positive energy into this weekend's regional volleyball tournament thanks to a convincing win over Worland last week.The Lady Panthers got off to a fast start with a dominating win in the first set, then fought off comeback attempt by the Lady Warriors in game two.

In game three they pulled away early to complete the sweep, 25-11, 25-21, 25-15.

Powell scored the first point of the match off Kadi Cooley's serve, and Cooley scored the next two points herself by serving aces. The score was 6-0 before Worland was able to score a point. Powell continued to score points in bunches, and built an 18-4 lead before the Lady Warriors were able to score consecutive points, but the Panthers stopped the rally and coasted to the win.

In game two, it was Worland's turn to have a fast start, and the Lady Warriors grabbed a 6-2 lead. The Lady Panthers responded with a seven-point run to take a 9-6 lead, but they could never quite shake Worland. Their biggest lead was 22-16, but Worland cut that in half, and then traded points with Powell to 23-20. Liz Tilley's kill was the 24th point for Powell, and game point came thanks to a Worland attack that sailed long.

The Lady Panthers again fell behind early, but they tied the score at 5 and pulled away to a 10-point win. The game ended when Worland tipped a Powell return out of bounds.

Coach Cindi Smith attributed the strong performance to the growth her team has experienced during the season.

“The kids have been growing throughout the season,” Smith said. “The experience is helping them get better.”

The game was marked by significant contributions from the bench. Becky Dent came off the bench to score five kills and one solo block on the front line, and Tamara Brown and Lacy Ebersberger provided steady defensive play on the back line. Smith said the reserves had been called on last week when Randi Asay was hobbled by an injury, and had played well. Their play allowed her to try some different combinations on the court.

Another factor in the match was a balanced attack. Olivia Rogers led the team with 12 kills, but Tilley, who had moved to the outside, contributed seven. Corianne McKearney and Asay added six each and Dent, five.

“It was nice to see the balance,” Smith said. “That helps us vary our attack.”

Defensively, Hannah Groves led with seven digs and Rogers had six. The Lady Panthers didn't score many blocks, but Smith said the blocking game was effective, nevertheless, forcing Worland to alter their hits.

“We were taking away the area we needed to,” Smith said.

The win evened the Lady Panthers conference record at 3-3 and put them in a tie with Cody for the no. 2 seed at the regional tournament. This weekend in Mountain View. Smith said she does not know exactly how the tie will be broken, but regardless of how it turns out, the Lady Panthers will face Pinedale or Jackson in the opening round on Friday.