by Scott Sacry
The Hamilton, Stevensville, Corvallis, and Florence volleyball teams traveled to Butte on Friday, October 13th & Saturday, October 14th for the 2023 Blocktober Classic. The Blocktober Classic included 26 Class A and Class B volleyball teams from around the state. The teams were divided into three pools and on Friday played other teams within their pool for one game to 30 points. Based on their record in pool play, teams were then funneled into three Saturday brackets. The top teams went to the Championship bracket, the middle teams went to the Consolation bracket, and the lower teams went into the Copper bracket. Teams then played three-set matches within each bracket in a double elimination mini tournament.
Hamilton went 6-2 in pool play and went to the Championship Bracket. Once there they lost to Jefferson in the opening round, then lost to Polson in the loser out bracket.
Florence, one of the few Class B teams in the tournament, went 3-5 in pool play and went to the Consolation Bracket. Once there, they lost to Laurel in the first match, then defeated Sidney and Laurel to make it to the consolation game, where they lost to Dillon.
Stevensville went 3-5 in pool play and went to the Consolation Bracket. Once there, they defeated Sidney in the opening game, then lost to Bigfork and Dillon in their next two games.
Corvallis went 3-4 in pool play and went to the Consolation Bracket. Once there, they lost both of their matches to Lockwood and Dillon.