An opportunity to see the southwest quadrant of 3A was not squandered for the No. 4-ranked Powell High School volleyball team. The Panthers finished 3-1 at the 3A West Conference Duals in Lander, defeating No. 1-ranked Lyman 3-1, losing to No. 2-ranked Mountain View 3-0 and sweeping Lander and Pinedale on Saturday.

The weekend started strong on Friday, when the Panthers (16-7-1 overall, 3-0 3A Northwest) matched up against the defending state champion Eagles (25-3-1 overall, 3-0 3A Southwest).

A close first set had the two teams battling, with Powell edging out Lyman 26-24 to take a 1-0 lead.

Lyman returned the favor in the second set, winning 25-19 to tie the match.

The Panthers came out strong in the third and fourth sets, winning 25-13 and 25-17 to put away the Eagles in four sets.

“The girls are understanding we are on a continual growth path,” coach Lesli Spencer said. “One of their girls was out, that had an effect on them. They have a lot of girls that can step in and play, she is one of Lyman’s leaders — but we realized we can play, contend and beat anybody.”

After the match against Lyman, Powell had a short turnaround time to take on the Buffalos (25-4-1 overall, 2-1 3A Southwest).

A big victory hangover loomed over the Panthers, and a late run by the Buffalos gave them a first set win 25-23.

Mountain View carried momentum into the second set, pulling away early and finishing with a 25-9 win. Another late run in the third set allowed the Buffalos to finish off Powell 25-20 in a sweep.

“At the end of the set we gave away five or six points, we didn’t make them earn them,” Spencer said. “Missed serves, tips in the net when we were up 20-18 and 21-19, you can’t do that and win games. I will be sure to show them that this week, and let them know they were in those sets and we can definitely beat them as well.”

Heading into Saturday the Panthers regained their confidence, after splitting against the top two teams in the state, against host Lander (7-16-1 overall, 1-2 3A Southwest).

Powell came out and set the tone in the first set, winning 25-13 and taking a 1-0 lead. The Panthers then maintained that level of play and won the next two sets by an identical score of 25-20.

“It appears if we continue to do our job these next few weeks we will match up against Lander or Pinedale in that first round,” Spencer said. “Lander is down this year but they are not out. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day.”

Finishing out the weekend, the Panthers came up against Pinedale (17-12 overall, 0-3 3A Southwest) who defeated Powell earlier in the season at a tournament in Riverton.

Showing their continued growth that has been a process throughout the season, the Panthers took the first set 25-18 over the Wranglers.

Powell won two tight sets 25-21, 25-22 to finish off Pinedale, finishing 3-1 on the weekend and helping learn where the Panthers stand in the 3A West.

IMPORTANT GAMES

The Panthers return to quadrant games this week, starting off with an important matchup against Worland (11-13-1 overall, 2-1 3A Northwest) on the road Thursday at 6 p.m.

“We need to make sure we are continuing to improve,” Spencer said. “When you go to Worland it is always an interesting situation. They have a large crowd and a lot of people that support them. You definitely have to step on the court ready to play and I want the girls to play at their level from the get go.”

If Powell wins the game against Worland, it will put them in prime position to wrap up the 3A Northwest on Friday at home against Thermopolis (6-20 overall, 0-3 3A Northwest) at 4 p.m.

After those two key conference matches, Powell turns its attention to a rivalry matchup against Cody (18-1 overall, 4-1 3A West) at home on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

POWELL 3, LYMAN 1

Kills — Addy Thorington 22, Saige Kidd 7, Waycee Harvey 4, Sydney Spomer 3, Anna Bartholomoew 2, Gretel Opps 2, Stevee Walsh 1

Assists — Gretel Opps 20, Stevee Walsh 15, Anna Bartholomew 1, Saige Kidd 1

Digs — Addy Thorington 19, Alexa Richardson 15, Mikayla Graham 15, Gretel Opps 11, Sydney Spomer 8, Stevee Walsh 5, Anna Bartholomew 3, Saige Kidd 1, Waycee Harvey 1

Aces — Alexa Richardson 2, Addy Thorington 2, Anna Bartholomew 1

Blocks — Anna Bartholomew 5.5, Addy Thorington 5, Waycee Harvey 2.5, Saige Kidd 2

POWELL 3, LANDER 0

Kills — Addy Thorington 16, Gretel Opps 8, Waycee Harvey 6, Saige Kidd 4, Sydney Spomer 3, Anna Bartholomew 2

Assists — Gretel Opps 16, Stevee Walsh 14, Alexa Richardson 2, Waycee Harvey 2

Digs — Mikayla Graham 12, Alexa Richardson 10, Stevee Walsh 10, Gretel Opps 8, Addy Thorington 6, Anna Bartholomew 6, Saige Kidd 2, Waycee Harvey 1

Aces — Anna Bartholomew 1, Addy Thorington 1

Blocks — Anna Bartholomew 2.5, Addy Thorington 2.5, Gretel Opps 1.5, Waycee Harvey 1.5, Sydney Spomer 1

POWELL 3, PINEDALE 0

Kills — Addy Thorington 17, Anna Bartholomew 8, Waycee Harvey 8, Gretel Opps 3, Saige Kidd 2, Gracie Trotter 1, Stevee Walsh 1, Sydney Spomer 1

Assists — Gretel Opps 17, Stevee Walsh 13, Alexa Richardson 1, Waycee Harvey 1, Addy Thorington 1

Digs — Mikayla Graham 13, Addy Thorington 12, Alexa Richardson 4, Anna Bartholomew 4, Saige Kidd 4, Gretel Opps 3, Waycee Harvey 2, Sydney Spomer 2, Stevee Walsh 2

Aces — Mikayla Graham 2, Alexa Richardson 1, Gretel Opps 1

Blocks — Waycee Harvey 2.5, Anna Bartholomew 2, Gretel Opps 1.5, Saige Kidd .5, Gracie Trotter .5, Sydney Spomer .5, Addy Thorington .5