The second annual Blocktober Fest brought a solid turnout and an afternoon of volleyball to Rosemary Clarke Middle School on Sunday, Oct. 25, combining Halloween-themed competition with community support for local athletics.
The event raised $614 for the RCMS general Athletic Department fund. Raffle ticket sales generated $307, and Sgt. Monique Mendoza matched that amount, doubling the contribution to the school. Pahrump Youth Sports also operated a concession stand, with proceeds from those sales going directly to the organization.
On the court, the women’s team, The Blocking Dead, faced the men’s team, the Spooky Spikers, in a spirited volleyball matchup. Through the first five sets, the men held a three-set-to-two advantage, with both teams putting together strong serving runs, timely attacks and extended rallies.
The Halloween-inspired team names added to an event that gave participants from the Nye County Sheriff’s Office and other public safety roles an opportunity to connect with the community outside their regular work. Deputies, dispatchers and other personnel traded their usual responsibilities for serves, spikes and a chance to support young athletes.
The Spooky Spikers established an early advantage in the opening set, using a string of aces to move ahead 9-3. The Blocking Dead answered with kills, well-placed tips and aces of their own, but the men continued building their lead, reaching 19-9 and then 24-14. The women saved two set points before the Spooky Spikers finished the opener 25-16.
Between sets, attention shifted from the net to the raffle drawings, giving spectators repeated opportunities to take home prizes donated by local businesses and community members.
The second set began much like the first, with the men serving their way to an 8-0 lead. This time, however, the women steadily worked their way back. A kill and several aces helped cut the deficit to 8-5, and The Blocking Dead continued closing the gap through longer rallies and effective serving.
After tying the score at 12-12, the women moved ahead on a net violation and added two more points for a 15-12 advantage. They extended that lead to 21-15 before the men put together a five-point run to get within one. The Blocking Dead held their lead, using a bump over the net for a late point before an ace secured the 25-21 win and evened the match.
The third set remained close early. The women erased a 5-1 deficit to tie it at 5-5, but the Spooky Spikers responded with a five-point run that included spikes and an ace. The Blocking Dead later trimmed a 15-8 deficit to 15-12, keeping the set within reach before the men pulled away to win 25-16.
Facing a 2-1 match deficit, the women delivered their strongest set of the first five in the fourth. A diving dig helped keep the opening play alive before a tip put The Blocking Dead on the scoreboard. Three consecutive aces followed, setting the tone for a set in which the women quickly built a commanding lead.
Kills, tips and sustained rallies helped stretch their advantage to 14-1. The men found a few points through serving and attacks toward the back line, but The Blocking Dead continued placing the ball effectively and adding aces. The women finished the set 25-7, sending the teams into a fifth set.
The fifth set gave spectators another round of momentum changes. The men moved ahead 9-4 before the women began narrowing the margin. An ace brought The Blocking Dead within 10-9, and a spike that the men blocked down onto their own side later cut the lead to 12-11.
The Spooky Spikers then created some separation, building a 20-12 advantage. The women again worked their way back, using a mix of tips, an ace and extended rallies to close within 23-21. The men earned the next two points, taking the fifth set 25-21.
The raffle continued throughout the event, with prizes ranging from restaurant gift cards and gift baskets to recreation opportunities and services. Contributors included Our Place, Mom’s Diner, Beauty Collective, Port of Subs, Calvada Marketplace, Ross Speed and Repair, Lakeview Golf Course and Sharper Image Barbershop. Other prizes included bowling games, Henderson Silver Knights tickets donated by Markeeta Araujo at Hometown Healthcare, a Pahrump Youth Sports “Boo Basket,” a s’mores maker from the Cleaveland family and a tote filled with goodies from Tammy Engel.
Beyond the competition, Blocktober Fest brought together players, spectators, businesses and donors around a shared purpose. Their participation, along with Mendoza’s matching donation, generated $614 for RCMS athletics while also supporting Pahrump Youth Sports through concession sales.
