The nets went up at 6 p.m. sharp in the Sacajawea Middle School gym. By 6:15, the smell of floor wax and knee pads had replaced the usual scent of adolescent locker room.

Thirty-two teams registered for the fall session, up from twenty-eight last year. League coordinator Marv Hensley said the waitlist hit double digits before he closed it. “People just want to hit something after work,” he said. “Doesn’t matter what.”

The courts are taped down over the basketball lines. Referees are volunteers. The rulebook is a laminated sheet Marv keeps in his windbreaker pocket. No jumping serves. No liberos. No arguments that last longer than the time it takes to drink a water fountain sip.

First match featured the Net Assets, a squad of three accountants, a nurse, and a guy who installs sprinkler systems, against the Block Party, which fields two MSU grad students, a barista, and a rancher’s son home for the season. The rancher’s son, Tyler Vandevanter, played middle blocker like he was branding calves — quiet, efficient, zero celebration.

“He doesn’t say much,” said Block Party setter Jenna Kostic. “But the ball hits the floor on their side a lot.”

Net Assets won the first set on a service error. Block Party took the second when their outside hitter, a physical therapist named Dana, placed a roll shot between three defenders who had all committed to the line. The third set went to fifteen. Everyone stopped to watch the last rally. Tyler blocked a hard angle swing. The ball dropped straight down. No one moved.

Marv blew his whistle. “Good game. Next match, Court Two.”

The gym emptied into the parking lot where headlights cut through the August dark. Someone had left a case of IPAs on the bleachers. They were warm by the time the second round started.

Standings will be posted on the league Facebook page by Monday. Marv updates it from his phone while waiting for his truck to warm up.