Yukigaoka 3: Shiratorizawa 2
After just a few quick exchanges, the ball returned to the other side. Following the timeout, Shiratorizawa unleashed a tactic reminiscent of Yukigaoka's first official match and Kitagawa Daiichi's strategy:
A soft-style block. By limiting the ball's trajectory and touch, it reduced the spike's power, giving the floor defenders enough reaction time to save the ball and launch a counterattack.
Ichinose Guren, normally the unstoppable finisher, now had to restrain himself. Instead of winning points with one kill, he became bait, forcing a mix of ordinary quick attacks, tips, cross-court shots, and line shots, a technical, versatile offense.
The score constantly shifted amid this back-and-forth of offense and defense.
After Ichinose's powerful jump serve secured three consecutive points, Shiratorizawa's libero received the fourth serve. Setter Masata Yori used Goshiki's loud calls for the ball to execute a sudden secondary attack, snatching a point.
Yukigaoka 22:19 Shiratorizawa.
Facing the soft-style block they had been practicing these past days, Yukigaoka's players couldn't help feeling the same frustration they'd felt against previous opponents.
Panting, Hinata Shoyo grumbled, "No matter how hard we spike, it takes multiple attacks to score! It's so annoying!"
Yudai Hyakuzawa wiped the sweat dripping from his chin and added, "Yeah… every rally, it feels like we have to spike three, four, maybe even more times before we finally get a point."
Mori nodded in agreement.
"Luckily, their floor defense isn't that strong. They barely manage to save the ball, so they can't create strong attacking chances."
"This is really annoying. I can feel that I'm running more in this match than in the two games against Sengoku combined."
"Hyakuzawa-senpai and Hinata-senpai are spiking a lot too. You can see they're exhausted."
Suzuki and Kawashima chimed in.
"Yeah, I'm fine since Hoshino-senpai rotates in at the back, but Suzuki seems like his stamina's lagging a bit."
"Idiot! I'm fine! I can run ten thousand meters! You, on the other hand, since Hoshino-senpai rotates in, just spike a little harder on those balls!"
Ichinose Guren brushed back two strands of sweat-soaked hair from his forehead, stopping the bickering.
"Alright. We're tired, and so are they."
"Don't worry. Our midday break will definitely be more thorough than theirs. Look at their captain, he can barely stand now."
Everyone glanced at Goshiki. Despite sweat dripping down his face, he still stood firm, showing he had plenty of stamina left. A brief silence followed.
"…We did great. Their stamina isn't necessarily better than ours. We train two hours every day, why would they be so much stronger?"
Ichinose, hiding the fact that they'd trained through vacation camp, spoke casually, lying without a hint of guilt.
"Yeah! I train two hours every day too. At that intensity, it's nothing!"
Hinata jumped in to rally the team.
But in Ichinose and Hyakuzawa's minds, memories of the first time they met Hinata floated up.
What training intensity?
What training intensity
"Alright! Focus on the game! Don't overthink!"
"Victory is ours!"
Ichinose raised his voice, ensuring every teammate could hear him.
"Ooh!"
"Ooh!"
"Ooh!"
Yukigaoka's three-point lead wasn't just a psychological edge; the combined shouts of Ichinose and Hinata fueled everyone's fighting spirit.
Meanwhile, on Shiratorizawa's side, aside from Goshiki and the setter, most players hid it well, but careful observation revealed a slight sense of resentment and frustration.
Why is this going on so long?
I'm exhausted…
I don't want to keep playing…
Someone, just let the ball drop already!
In a long, grueling match, no matter how much one wants victory, the winding, exhausting path to that win drains all patience and resolve.
Shiratorizawa lost their serve; now it was their turn again.
Compared to Goshiki and Yori's jump serves or the number three's floating serve, this serve was surprisingly ordinary.
For Yukigaoka's well-trained receivers, although the serve deliberately avoided the libero's position, Hinata at the back comfortably received it.
At the net, Mori stood at the far left, observing Hyakuzawa and Ichinose. Both launched into their approach, creating a sense of:
"Two top spikers going for a quick attack, one is bound to become bait."
Suddenly, his set felt like a luxury item in his hands.
At the net, Goshiki shadowed Ichinose's position even before the spike was hit.
The captain's going for the spike!
Nope~
Midair, the two made eye contact. Ichinose's face held a teasing, "You actually fell for that?" expression.
Not good!
Goshiki quickly turned his head.
Sure enough, the set was for Hyakuzawa's approach.
Facing a huge arm span advantage and an empty Shiratorizawa court, Hyakuzawa fired his cannon-like spike.
Boom!
The ball slammed onto the libero's shoulder, then bounced out of bounds.
Point valid. Yukigaoka 23:19.
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