Another tournament in southwest Wyoming provided plenty of strong competition for the Powell High School volleyball team, as the Panthers went 4-4 against all levels of Wyoming competition and two out-of-state opponents.

The weekend started with the two-time defending 4A state champions Kelly Walsh (13-0), which took down the Panthers (6-7) in two sets 25-14, 25-10.

Powell continued against 4A competition, as the team took on the host Evanston (11-3). Powell won the first set 25-21 before losing the next two sets 25-19, 15-12.

“Seeing all of these top teams early on is so great for our development. We get a ton of playing time and it really pushes us to a higher level,” coach Anna Flitner said. “We are always grateful for the opportunity to be invited to these tournaments, and to the district for sending us. Our admin works hard to ensure we can play at competitive tournaments even when they require a lot of travel.”

The Panthers got in the win column and avenged a loss from the previous weekend against a 3A West opponent, as Powell defeated Mountain View (8-6) in two sets 25-13, 25-20.

Powell wrapped up Friday against Bear Lake out of Idaho, as Powell won the first set 25-20 before losing the next two sets 25-14, 15-5.

The Panthers started Saturday against the defending 1A champions in Cokeville (3-10), as Powell swept the match 25-16, 25-20.

Another 1A team followed, as Powell swept Little Snake River (0-9) in two sets 25-9, 25-15.

The lone 2A team the Panthers faced put up a close match, as Powell came back after losing the first set 26-24 to Kemmerer (6-7), before winning the next two sets 27-25, 15-12.

The final opponent of the weekend was Layton Christian out of Utah, as the Panthers fell 25-17, 25-18 to finish the weekend 4-4.

“I think we need to work on our court vision and figure out how to adjust to teams in the moment rather than relying on what we thought we should do before the play started,” Flitner said of improvements in the early season. “Being able to see your blockers and what is open is a big part of the game.”

She said the Panthers are hoping to focus on aggressive serving to keep the other team out-of-system, while also being aggressive attacking-wise and continuing to build team cohesion in the early season.

TOURNAMENT ACTION CONTINUES

The Panthers head back on the road this weekend, this time to Rawlins for the annual Sandy Jebens Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

“I’m feeling really good about our progress. I also feel like some of the girls have really stepped up as leaders and are helping hold the team accountable for doing the little things well in practice and I think that makes a difference,” Flitner said. “We did have an injury over the weekend, so I think we are going to have to work hard and focus on what we can control given we may have some players in new positions.”

This tournament brings together all 3A teams, as the Panthers are in pool play against a pair of 3A West teams in Pinedale (5-7) and Lyman (5-8) as well as Torrington (8-2) from the 3A East. Game times on Friday begin at 11 a.m. and are on a rolling schedule following the first matches; the Panthers are not in the first round of games.

Games on Saturday are determined by Friday’s results.

Following the tournament, the Panthers start conference action at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, heading to Worland (4-2) before turning around for their first home game of the season Thursday against Lander (6-6) in another conference game.