Yukigaoka launched what could be called their first true high set–high attack play.
With Ichinose Guren pushing the limits of legality with a near double-hand violation, the ball flew in a clean, straight arc toward Yudai Hyakuzawa's hitting point.
No fancy tricks this time, no back set to Suzuki or any other deceptive play.
Because honestly, with Guren's current setting skills, there was no way he could pull that off.
Just being able to jump smoothly, set the ball accurately, and without error to Yudai was already a huge challenge for him.
In Guren's view, executing this straightforward high set to a high hit connection was already a test of his technical growth.
The safest move would've been for Guren to simply bump the ball underhand to set up Yudai for a high assist.
But when his peripheral vision caught the opposing blockers stepping back half a step, he knew,
It's time to play real volleyball.
Earlier, Yukigaoka had managed to seize the momentum by catching Kitagawa Daiichi off guard with their unfamiliar playstyle and Guren and Yudai's overwhelming individual power.
But Kitagawa Daiichi was still a championship contender.
Their tactical awareness and physical foundation were leagues above Yukigaoka's.
Now, facing blockers with an average height over 180 cm, and without Mori to set, Yudai's spike height wasn't at its full potential.
Worse, Kitagawa had already figured out Yudai's weakness, despite his height, his aerial technique was still raw.
So they'd stepped back slightly and switched to a soft block, using team defense to limit his attacks.
And when it came to overall teamwork, Yukigaoka was clearly at a disadvantage.
In coordination, balanced skills, and average technical level, they lagged far behind Kitagawa Daiichi.
Sure, Yukigaoka had two powerhouse attackers, but the other five were all specialists with glaring weaknesses, even Yudai, who had trained the longest under Guren.
Under Guren's guidance, Yudai's receiving skills had improved to a passable level, but that was as far as it went.
After all, for a tall middle blocker, crouching and popping back up repeatedly was both tiring and awkward.
BAM!
The quick attack play between Guren and Yudai exploded across the court, the ball flying like lightning from the set to the spike.
But Kitagawa Daiichi's soft block, orchestrated by Kageyama Tobio, managed to get a clean touch.
"One touch!"
Kageyama shouted sharply, snapping his head back to command his teammates to chase the ball.
Their captain, wearing jersey number one, sprinted at full speed, his long strides covering the court in moments, then swung his arm in a smooth motion, returning a perfect first touch.
Kageyama's eyes sharpened as he took position beneath the ball, scanning for his next target.
He saw Kindaichi and the number three already in position and knew immediately,
The battle begins.
He glanced across the net at Yukigaoka's block setup.
Guren was in the middle, Yudai and Suzuki on either side.
That meant Guren, with his explosive jump and athleticism, would likely defend Kageyama's quick attacks one-on-one.
If Kageyama chose to set instead, Guren would try to shift laterally and block as backup.
Kageyama didn't hesitate, he jumped, feinting as if going for a setter dump.
His core muscles tightened, ready to adjust midair based on Guren's reaction.
If Guren didn't jump, he'd slam it down himself.
If Guren did, he'd switch in the air and send a perfect set to his hitter.
The ball neared his fingertips,
Still, Guren hadn't moved.
Kageyama frowned slightly. What's he planning?
The lack of data on this unfamiliar team already had them playing catch-up from the start, a feeling he hated, but didn't fear.
Because Kageyama Tobio was confident. Confident he'd find a way to beat Yukigaoka, and stay standing on this court.
The ball touched his hands. Guren still hadn't jumped.
Kageyama exhaled in relief. Whatever Guren was waiting for, it was too late now.
No matter how high he could jump, there was no way he'd reach this.
But when Kageyama saw that eager, razor-sharp grin spreading across Guren's face, his instincts screamed.
Goosebumps shot down his arms.
In that split second, Kageyama twisted midair, switching from attack to a lightning-fast set, sending the ball to the number three.
It was an incredible play,
a perfectly timed adjustment, born from Kageyama's top-tier fundamentals and raw athletic power.
But the moment the ball left his hands, Guren's expression shifted, slightly disappointed, but quick to react.
He changed it midair? Tch... smart.
Still, Guren burst forward with explosive lateral speed, reaching Suzuki's side in a single stride before springing up like a coiled spring.
His vertical was monstrous.
He rose higher, overtaking the number three's angle, completely sealing off the cross shot.
Suzuki strained beside him, stretching every muscle, every bead of sweat showing his desperate effort to close the block.
But Kitagawa's number three wasn't an idiot.
If they were going to exploit Yukigaoka's weaknesses, they weren't stupid enough to aim for the team's ace.
He ignored the cross entirely, aiming straight at Suzuki's weaker block instead.
THUD!
The ball smashed through Suzuki's hands and pounded into the court before Mori could even dive for it.
Point to Kitagawa.
The rally was over in an instant.
=============
98+ Advance Chapters Available on Patreon! Patreon.com/Veltoria [remove brackets]
250 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
Add to Library to support