New Powell High School head volleyball coach Anna Flitner has kept the Panthers busy this summer, taking part in open gyms and team camps in Bridger and in Powell at Northwest College at the end of July.

Flitner took over the Panther program in April after being hired to replace Lesli Spencer who resigned in February, giving Flitner just a few months to get things figured out for the Panthers this summer. 

“It’s been really fun,” Flitner said. “Because it’s my first year I think we are kind of easing into things. I am still figuring out what they did last year over the summer and preseason, just trying to navigate all of that without trying to change too much in my first year as head coach.”

Attending the Northwest camp at the end of July, the Panthers showcased their talents at Cabre Gym against teams from around the region in addition to three recruit teams put together by Northwest coach Scott Keister.

Flitner said that playing against teams they will play in season is nice, but it was a major benefit to play against a team of college recruits before swinging into the regular season next week.

“It’s a lot different than playing a lot of teams around here that we play in season,” Flitner said. “It gives us a chance to look at something different that we don’t normally see and I think the girls really enjoy that. Playing different teams we wouldn’t normally and pushing us to those levels — we’re extremely lucky to have a college team right in Powell so I feel very fortunate for that.”

Throughout the summer Flitner said she and the team have been able to bond quickly, with her experience as a volunteer assistant with the Panthers last year paying dividends early with her knowledge of the returners on the team.

“The girls are so awesome. They put in so much work over the summer, this team is really special and unique because they have so many players that can play so many positions,” she said. “It’s rare that you have a team where the same person that could be your setter could also be your outside hitter, or middle or a defensive specialist.” 

Flitner added that with all that versatility, she plans to keep in contact with the girls to figure out what is best for each athlete each week.

“I hope to have regular meetings with each of the girls on a weekly basis to check-in and figure out how I can best support them as a coach and what they need to work on to progress in the season and the returners for next year to figure out what they want to work on in the offseason,” Flitner said.

She added that as she has been working with the girls over the summer, she feels that the team would be able to potentially run a different offense this season.

“This team is capable of running a much faster offense,” Flitner said.

She said she plans to play to her coaching staff’s strengths to work together and have position training in order to speed up the offense for the Panthers this season.

“Setting was the only position where I did not have much experience playing at all. I have Chelsi (Graham) as an assistant coach so I really plan to have her help the girls in that domain as much as I can because she is such a valuable resource and I can’t say enough great things about having her as an assistant coach.”

Flitner is also a psychologist for the school district.

The volleyball team kicks off its practices next Monday, Aug. 19, at PHS, with the first practice at 6:30 a.m. and the second starting at 4 p.m. in the gym.