East Bay University

Sneakers squeak on the wooden floor. People chatting and the aroma of burgers filled the small mult-court gymnasium. The fluorescent lights buzzed as Kurai swallowed and exhaled as Coach Haruki tightened her grip on her clipboard.

"Alright, team, our second round match is against East Bay University. A Team known for their aggressive offense... They will try to overpower us with their spikes and quick plays… We need to stay calm, communicate, and trust our training." Kurai looks up at Haruki while stretching his legs.

"During the break, I watched their final set against Morehead State... They have a pattern in their attack... They rely heavily on their star spiker, Kyle… If we can predict his moves, we can block effectively." Jaden looks over and nods.

"I can cover the backcourt. I'll be ready for those spikes-" Kurai stops him.

"I'll be using you as our main focus of attack, Jaden, so be ready to spike right after you receive" Jaden nods.

"Got it" Jazz unpacks his bag and stretches.

"I'll focus on receiving and counter-attacking. We need to turn their aggression against them." Carlos pats Jazz on the back.

"We've got this. Just remember what we've practiced." Owen stretches his arms while Liam focuses intently. 

"We'll reinforce the blocks and be ready for any quick plays," Owen says. Coach Haruki smirks.

"Remember, this match is as much mental as it is physical. Stay focused, communicate, and support each other. Let's go out there and show them what OPU is made of!" a whistle blows as Kurai places his hand in the middle of the circle. Everyone joined in.

"The blood that flows through us is fierce and strong, boiling hot and intense with passion, let's win this!" everyone shouts.

"YEAH!"

Jaden steps up to the net. Locking eyes with Michael, EBU's team captain.

"No matter how aggressive your offense is, we'll overcome it! Heads" Michael smirks.

"I'd like to see you try, Tails" the ref flips a coin.

"Tails" Michael smirks.

"Serving side" Jaden turns around and takes a deep breath. Preparing for serve receive. "I can do this'

Issac of EBU tosses the ball and bolts forward, jump serving the ball over the net with speed. Kurai shouted.

"Jaden!" Jaden smirks.

"On it!" He steps back as the ball hits his chest. 'That hurt!' the ball floats mid-air. Kurai stepped to the side and jumped. Quick setting the ball to Jazz. 'let's show them what we're made of!' Jazz runs forward and jumps up to spike. Slamming the ball passed the net with a quick attack. Jazz landing, turning around and pumping his fist.

"HAAAA!" the score bumps up. OPU 1-0 EBU.

Owen overhand serves the ball as Michael receives it. Kyle jumped into the air and spiking the ball over the net before Kurai could even react. OPU 1-1 EBU. Haruki thinks to herself. 'This is what it's like to play against a top level team!' Kurai smirks as Kyle steps up to serve.

The ball instantly bolts over the net as Jaden had received the ball. 'It all happened so fast! How did I even react fast enough to receive that!?' Kurai jumps forward and sets the ball to Jazz once again. Jazz running forward and jumping as a massive wall appears, Jazz grits his teeth and barely hits it passed the block at an angle. EBU's Libero bringing it up. 'These guys have a tactical offensive strategy' Michael sets the ball to the back row to Kyle. Kurai and Owen jumping up to block. Kyle smirks and slams the ball into the block sending it out of bounds. OPU 1-2 EBU. Kurai grits his teeth and snarls.

Michael tosses the ball and jumps serves it over the net at high speeds. Carlos reached forward and received it. 'Easy' Kurai steps up to the net and jumps as the blockers shift to the right where Jazz was waiting. 'I know you want it, so have it!' Kurai sets the ball to Jazz on the left side of the net where the blockers waited. Jazz runs forward as Haruki is confused 'Why would Kurai set to Jazz when there are 3 strong blockers there!?' Jazz jumps to spike and shocks everyone when he tips the ball over the block. A whistle blows out as he lands. OPU 2-2 EBU.

Kurai tosses the ball. Bolting forward and spreading his wings to fly. The ball appears on the court. Kurai exhales as he lands. Haruki smirks as Kurai and Kyle, both monsters in their own right, lock eyes. OPU 3-2 EBU. Kyle smirks. 'I'd heard about his 80 mile an hour serve, but it's so much more incredible in person!'

Kurai takes a deep breath as a whistle blows.

"Good serve" Kurai tosses the ball and slams it over the net at high speeds. Kyle holds his breath and dives after the ball, barely bringing it up as it floats in front of the net. Michael bolts forward and jumps up to spike. Slamming the ball past the block and onto the court. Michael and Kurai smirk at each other. OPU 3-3 EBU.

EBU's middle blocker tosses the ball, sending it straight at Carlos. 'Come to me, perfect!' carlos perfectly brings up the ball. Kurai smiles and setting the ball once again to Jazz, the ball blocked but Liam was there to catch it. Kurai jumps to set again.

"Jazz!" Jazz nods and jumps forward to spike. The blockers jumped high to block. Kurai sets the ball backwards to Jaden, who spikes the ball without a blocker. OPU 4-3 EBU.

Liam steps up to serve. Taking a deep breath.

"I got this…" Liam tosses the ball. Remembering his mother. Taking a step forward, anger filled him at the thought of his fathers mistreatment. Slightly jumping and thinking of his sister abandoning him 'This is the path I chose and you can't change that!!' Liam floats the ball over the net. Michael struggles to receive it before it lands on the court. Liam clenching his fist.

"HAAA!" Liam floats serves the ball again but the gym falls silent when it goes out of bounds. Liam grits his teeth as Jaden smiles.

"Don't worry about it, Liam, you'll get it next time" Liam nods slightly.

Kyle steps up to serve and tosses the ball. Running forward and jumping, his eyes focus on the back right corner. Slamming the ball quickly towards the corner. Jaden suddenly appeared under the ball and brought it up. 'Get up, get up, don't slow down!' jaden rushes to his feet. Kurai jumps as the blockers rush to block. Kurai setting to the left as Liam bolts forward. Jumping higher than anyone. Three blockers appears as Liam swings his arm. Lightly tapping the ball over the block and hitting it on the court as the gym goes silent. OPU 6-4 EBU.