For the first time since 2018, the No. 4-ranked Powell High School volleyball team secured the No. 1 seed out of 3A Northwest after defeating Worland 3-0 on Thursday and Thermopolis 3-0 on Friday.

POWELL 3, WORLAND 0

Starting with a key matchup on Thursday, the Panthers (18-7-1 overall, 5-0 3A Northwest) made their way down to Worland (11-15-1 overall, 2-3 3A Northwest) with a chance to secure the No. 1 seed.

The Panthers came out fast on Worland’s senior night, jumping out early and not looking back in a 25-12 first set victory.

After a quick first set victory, the Warriors came out for a much stronger second set.

Battling to the very last point, the Panthers came out on top at the end — finishing a thrilling second set with a 28-26 win.

“We knew it was going to be a battle in Worland,” coach Lesli Spencer said. “It is always an intense match in Worland.”

Knowing that they needed to finish the match in three, the Panthers came out and finished off the Warriors with a 25-21 victory and claimed the No. 1 seed in the 3A Northwest quadrant.

Powell’s serving proved to be a difference maker, with six different Panthers finishing with aces in the match.

POWELL 3, THERMOPOLIS 0

After a strong victory on Thursday, Powell returned home on Friday to take on Thermopolis (6-22 overall, 0-5 3A Northwest).

Powell came out strong early on, jumping out to a 4-0 lead — immediately forcing a timeout from Thermopolis.

The Panthers carried that early momentum, pushing the lead to 16-4 before forcing the second timeout from the Bobcats.

Powell finished off the set, ending with a 25-8 victory.

A similar set to the first followed in the second, jumping out to a quick lead and building it until a 25-8 victory.

In the third, Powell again pounced out to an early lead — maintaining the level of play throughout the match much to the delight of Spencer.

“That was the goal. We need to learn how to play our game no matter what level of competition we are facing,” Spencer said.

The 25-15 sweep of the third set was the Panthers’ fourth sweep of the conference season.

Powell was paced by 10 kills by Addy Thorington, alongside 11 digs and four aces by Mikayla Graham.

RIVALRY GAME

Powell plays one final home game tonight (Tuesday), matching up against Park County foe and 4A opponent No. 3-ranked Cody (19-2 overall, 7-2 4A West). The game begins at 6 p.m.

“I want the girls to play hard and play their game,” Spencer said. “It will be electric with it being senior night and Cody. They have a great team and coaching staff.”

The Panthers wrap up regular season games on Friday, making the short trip to Lovell to take on the Bulldogs (13-13-1 overall, 3-2 3A Northwest).

Once the regular season is wrapped, PHS will return to Lovell next weekend to take part in the 3A West Regional Tournament.

POWELL 3, WORLAND 0

Kills — Addy Thorington 8, Gretel Opps 7, Sydney Spomer 6, Saige Kidd 4, Stevee Walsh 2, Anna Bartholomew 2, Waycee Harvey 1

Assists — Stevee Walsh 13, Gretel Opps 9, Saige Kidd 1, Mikayla Graham 1

Digs — Alexa Richardson 20, Stevee Walsh 7, Gretel Opps 7, Addy Thorington 6, Anna Bartholomew 4, Sydney Spomer 4, Mikayla Graham 3, Waycee Harvey 2

Aces — Addy Thorington 3, Alexa Richardson 2, Stevee Walsh 2, Anna Bartholomew 1, Gretel Opps 1, Mikayla Graham 1

Blocks — Waycee Harvey 3, Anna Bartholomew 2.5, Gretel Opps 2, Addy Thorington 2, Sydney Spomer 1, Saige Kidd .5

POWELL 3, THERMOPOLIS 0

Kills — Addy Thorington 10, Gracie Trotter 5, Waycee Harvey 4, Anna Bartholomew 3, Saige Kidd 2, Sydney Spomer 2, Catelynn Floy 1, Gretel Opps 1

Assists — Gretel Opps 15, Stevee Walsh 9, Addy Thorington 1

Digs — Mikayla Graham 11, Addy Thorington 8, Alexa Richardson 5, Anna Bartholomew 3, Gretel Opps 3, Waycee Harvey 3, Stevee Walsh 2, Saige Kidd 1

Aces — Mikayla Graham 4, Gretel Opps 3, Addy Thorington 3, Anna Bartholomew 2