Despite graduating six players from a team that finished third a year ago, the Powell Panther volleyball team brings a number of young players with experience back this season, while only two rostered seniors will be hitting the court.

“I have been impressed with how hard the team has worked over the first week, and they have all been so willing to be put in any position asked of them,” coach Anna Flitner said, adding that the first week of practice is largely tryouts and data collection which helps coaches evaluate strengths and weaknesses and where players will fit. “For this team, I would love to see us consistently improve throughout the season and be able to find a way to put players in positions that enable them to use their strengths.”

One of the key returning pieces for the Panthers is junior Leah Graham, who has played two years and last year wracked up 642 assists and 48 service aces.

With Graham returning, Flitner is hoping her experience will help lead the Panther hitters as they look to improve their accuracy and consistency throughout the year.

“Given that we have a returning setter, setting is definitely an area of strength for us. I also think our serve-receive will be a strength for us this season. I liked the way that it looked in team camp,” Flitner said. “The biggest area of improvement that I see is consistency putting the ball away. We have some players that swing hard and that have some great shots, but we just have to make that more consistent and improve on our court awareness.”

Graham isn’t the only experienced junior returning, as Kaedenze Carter returns as a middle blocker who started for stretches last season.

“We have two players who had significant time on varsity last year and I am really hoping to see them step up this year as leaders,” Flitner said. “Previously they have been lead-by-example players and I am hoping to have them be a little more vocal this season.”

Additional players who return having played in a varsity match last year include juniors Ava Teten, Maddie Valdez and Ava Brewer along with sophomore Autumn Kidd.

Other athletes looking to make an impact will be seniors Hali Hancock and Melanie Garcia along with sophomores Kindyle Floy and Abigail Visocky.

“I’m excited about this young team, and I think there are several rotations that could work with many players being able to play several different positions,” Flitner said. “It has been a lot of fun to see my returners back in the gym as well as building some relationships with the incoming players.”

Starting out the year the Panthers head on the road for a tournament in Lander, playing competition of all levels.

Powell takes on 1A Shoshoni at 12:30 p.m. Friday before finishing the day with a game against the host Tigers at 5:30 p.m.

The Panthers then take on 1A Farson-Eden at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday before finishing the weekend against a 2A opponent in the Wyoming Indian Chiefs at 1 p.m.

“I would like to try a couple different rotation options for us early this season to figure out what works best for us,” Flitner said. “I think the Lander tournament will help us get some of the preseason jitters out and build some confidence while also helping us identify some areas that we really need to focus on in practice.”