Despite nasty weather, the Powell High School boys’ and girls’ tennis teams showed promise in their opening matches.

The Panther boys’ team finished its opening weekend 2-1, while the girls’ team went 1-2. Powell’s boys defeated Rock Springs (5-0) and Green River (4-1) after falling 5-0 to Campbell County on Friday. The girls’ took down Rock Springs (5-0) and lost to Campbell County (4-1) and Green River (4-1). Due to inclement weather, the Panthers played shortened matches against Campbell County and Green River.

Overall, head coach Joe Asay said he was pleased with the team’s performance in its first weekend. He applauded the team’s depth, as well as Powell’s strength from its No. 1 singles players on both teams. Coach Asay said it will serve as a good benchmark for where his team stands and how it can improve going forward.

In No. 1 singles for the boys, Ethan Bartholomew dropped his opening match 10-4 against Campbell County. He rebounded well later in the weekend, winning 6-0, 6-0 over his Rock Springs opponent and besting Green River’s Braxton Cordova 8-7.

After keeping it close with Campbell County’s Kody Kline, No. 2 singles player Aiden Chandler defeated his opponents from Rock Springs and Green River. Like Bartholomew, Chandler won 6-0, 6-0 in his Rock Springs match.

Powell went 1-2 in No. 1 doubles. The Panthers picked up a win against Rock Springs Saturday, with Kolt Flores and Logan Brown leading a dominant performance.

In No. 2 doubles, Cade Queen and CJ Barrus earned two wins for the Panthers, defeating Rock Springs’ and Green River’s pairings. Barrus teamed with Kalin Hicswa against CCHS, falling 10-7 in a competitive match.

And in No. 3 doubles, Hicswa and Wesley Preator picked up two wins over GRHS and RSHS. Harrison Paul filled in for Hicswa in the team’s loss to CCHS.

On the girls’ side, Chase Anderson picked up a lopsided win over Rock Springs’ Isabella Rodriguez, dropping only one set in the No. 1 singles match. She lost her other two contests, narrowly falling to her Green River opponent on Sunday.

In No. 2 singles, Kaili Wisniewski also went 1-2 on the weekend. Her win came over Rock Springs’ Karlie Nandrup, winning in three sets. 

The No. 1 doubles squad of Lila Asay and Alli Harp finished the weekend with a win and two losses. They earned a three-set win over their Rock Springs opponents on Saturday.

No. 2 doubles racqueteers Whitney Hull and Hannah Hincks were the only Powell squad to earn a win against CCHS, winning 10-8 on Friday. They also picked up a two-set win against Rock Springs before falling to Green River.

And Powell picked up two wins in No. 3 doubles with the team of Alexis Terry and Lachelle Lee. They dominated on Sunday, winning 8-1 over their Green River foes. The No. 3 doubles team kept it close on Thursday, with the team featuring Lee and Hannah Sears.

The Panthers returned to the court Monday at Jackson Hole, and they will play two road matches Saturday, facing Sheridan and Torrington in Sheridan.