Polson tops rival Ronan, finishes strong at Blocktober Classic

The Polson Lady Pirates continued their stellar volleyball season last week, defeating rival Ronan in four sets before holding their own against some of the state’s toughest competition at the annual Blocktober Classic in Butte.

Polson (7-1 overall, 6-0 Western A) remained perfect in league play with a 3-1 victory over Ronan (5-4, 3-4) on Tuesday night, winning by scores of 25-14, 21-25, 25-15, 25-11.

Senior McKenna Corley led the Lady Pirates with 10 kills, while Embree Bird added six and Logan McCrea and Opal Nash chipped in five apiece. Setter Rylee Taylor-Jefferson paced the offense with 17 assists and 11 digs, while Zailee Hewankorn added nine assists and three kills.

Polson’s serving was key throughout the match, with Aleysia Black delivering five aces and Bird contributing three more. Nash was dominant at the net with five blocks, and Eliza Todd added two.

For Ronan, Sierra Blood led with five kills, while Hosanna Wilson and Anaka Hardy each added four. Olivia Cheff served four aces and had a solo block, while Aubrey Krell anchored the defense with an impressive 27 digs.

Pirates Shine in Blocktober Classic

The Lady Pirates then traveled to Butte for the prestigious Blocktober Classic at the Butte Civic Center, where they faced a stacked field of teams from all corners of Montana.

Polson went 5-2 in pool play, picking up wins over Butte Central, Libby, Havre, Anaconda, and Hardin before dropping close contests to Fergus County and Billings Central. That effort earned Polson a spot in the Consolation Bracket, where they defeated Whitefish and Hardin but fell in tight matches to Laurel and Anaconda to finish 2-2 on bracket day.

Ronan Battles Through Copper Bracket

Ronan also competed at the Blocktober Classic, finishing 1-7 in Pool A but showing resilience in the Copper Bracket, where they played several tight matches.

The Maidens fell to Deer Lodge and Lockwood but bounced back with wins over Libby and a rematch victory against Deer Lodge in three sets. 

    Ronan Maiden Sierra Blood hits the ball as Lady Pirate Eliza Todd attempts a block. (Christa Umphrey Photo)
  

Lady Pirate Mckenna Corley pushes the ball over the net towards the Ronan Maidens during their varsity game on Oct. 7. The Pirates took third during the 2025 Class A divisional volleyball in Libby. (Bob Gunderson Photo)