Opening conference action at home on Thursday the Powell Panthers pushed past the visiting Worland Warriors 3-1 to start 3A Northwest action 1-0.

POWELL 3, WORLAND 1

(25-17, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22)

Playing a second game at home in three days the Panthers (15-4-1 overall, 1-0 3A Northwest) wanted a fast start against the visiting Warriors (5-10 overall, 0-1 3A Northwest).

Worland came out fighting, with the match knotted at 10 before Powell pulled ahead to lead 13-11 and force a Warrior timeout.

The Panthers took control of the set from that point forward, pulling away for a 25-17 win.

Worland started strong once again in the second set, leading throughout and forcing Powell into using both of its timeouts, still trailing 17-11.

“It’s always tough when you come out super strong sometimes to keep that momentum going and the other team can come out really scrappy,” coach Anna Flitner said. “That was a testament to Worland, they played really hard.”

The Panthers responded late, getting within two points several times but were unable to take the lead, as Worland took the second set 25-23.

In the third set, Powell started stronger, building a 10-5 lead and forcing a Worland timeout.

The Panthers nearly pushed it to double digits several times before a response by Worland midway through the set.

Worland cut the lead to 16-13 and forced a Powell timeout.

“We learned that we can be more mentally tough than what we showed [last] Tuesday, and we’ve been working really hard in practice about trying to be more vocal,” Flitner said. “We talked a lot on Wednesday in our team meeting about what adds to a positive team culture, and what adds to the team as a good teammate, and we’ve talked about ways that maybe we can detach from some of the negative thoughts and feelings that occur in volleyball. As a coach, I have said I’m never mad that some of these thoughts and feelings pop up, because that’s natural, that’s normal.”

The Panthers answered the Warriors’ run, pushing the lead back to 21-14 and finishing with a 25-16 win.

In the fourth set the Warriors again held the lead early, before a mid-set push helped Powell gain the lead up 16-14 and forced a timeout by the visitors.

A late push by Worland cut the lead to 22-21 and forced a Panther timeout.

Powell held off the late charge and earned a 25-22 win.

“It was good for us to be tested and have to work out some kinks,” Flitner said. “That’s what I hope for every game is that we face some difficulties and challenges that we have to work through. I would rather that happen now than later on in the season like at regionals when it matters.”

Catelynn Floy led with 17 kills and Addison Holcomb added 15 in the win.

Leah Graham led with 17 assists and Eva Teten had 13.

Alexa Richardson had 15 digs while Floy recorded 10.

Kaedenze Carter led with 1.5 blocks while Graham had five aces in the match.

CODY MATCH THURSDAY

Powell heads to Cody for a conference matchup at 6 p.m. Thursday to take on the Fillies (13-4 overall, 1-0 3A Northwest).

“I think it’ll be fun, I’m excited to play Cody,” Flitner said. “It’ll be fun, high-quality volleyball. At least that’s my hope, because I feel like we are a pretty strong team and Cody’s a really strong team. It should be lots of fun and lots of moments that I’m sure we’ll be able to learn from.”

That will be the Panthers lone match of the week.

POWELL 3, WORLAND 1

(25-17, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22)

Total blocks then solo blocks in ()

Kills — Catelynn Floy 17, Addison Holcomb 15, Saige Kidd 9, Kaedenze Carter 5, Kodee Asay 5, Leah Graham 5

Assists — Leah Graham 17, Ava Teten 13, Peyton Borcher 7, Saige Kidd 1, Alexa Richardson 1, Kodee Asay 1

Digs — Alexa Richardson 15, Catelynn Floy 10, Peyton Borcher 7, Leah Graham 6, Addison Holcomb 6, Saige Kidd 1

Blocks — Kaedenze Carter 1.5 (1), Saige Kidd 1, Kodee Asay 1, Addison Holcomb 1, Leah Graham .5

Aces — Leah Graham 5, Addison Holcomb 3, Ava Teten 2, Alexa Richardson 1, Catelynn Floy 1