Chapter 71 : Match (10)
Bang!
When the timeout ended, both teams returned to the court.
Washijo's adjustments were about to take effect.
"Cross!"
As the front row moved to block, he also signaled to Yamagata Hayato in the back row.
Yamagata quickly positioned himself behind the straight path to defend.
Smack!
This time, Yamagata didn't blindly guess the spin of the spike as he had before. Instead, he read the trajectory and struck upwards with force!
"Left!"
The ball soared high towards the left side of the court!
Kenjirō Shirabu sprinted in that direction.
Just as the ball was about to fly out of bounds, he managed to barely reach it.
Bang!
With a single, controlled touch, he sent the ball back toward the center of the court.
"That second setter has great technique!"
In the audience, a reporter, Takeshi Mitsuda, looked surprised.
"He actually managed to keep that ball in play so cleanly…"
"That's Shiratorizawa for you! The undisputed kings of Miyagi!"
"Here it comes!"
"Ushijima is going to spike!"
Boom!
A monstrous straight shot blasted right through Tanaka's block and hit the floor for a point!
Nishinoya, diving desperately, was just a second too late.
Frustrated, he clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he walked back into position.
"Next time, I'm getting that ball!"
...
"It looks like Shiratorizawa has found a way to deal with those spikes!"
Mitsuda spoke with some amazement.
"Dealing with it?"
Heiji Yoshino, another commentator, smirked.
"They're just stalling for time."
"Huh?"
"This constant running takes a massive toll on stamina," Yoshino explained.
"Not only that, but it will eventually lower the accuracy of their sets."
"Shirabu had no choice but to go for that last-ditch set just now."
"If he keeps making these long sprints, he's bound to mess up eventually!"
"But doesn't Shiratorizawa have a backup setter?" Mitsuda asked hesitantly.
"Even if they do, what does it matter? A setter can only be subbed in once per match."
"When Shirabu is completely drained, do they switch him out? What if the match drags into five sets? Both setters will be exhausted."
Heiji Yoshino saw through Shiratorizawa's strategy. It was like drinking water to quench thirst—just a temporary fix.
"..."
"Now that you put it that way, you're right."
Washijo never planned for the match to go to five sets.
If they couldn't close it out in three or four, it would mean they had already lost control of the game.
And if that happened…
They were doomed.
Because he had studied Akira's matches.
Once Akira faced an opponent, he analyzed them quickly.
Bit by bit, breaking them down, observing, learning…
And then—
With perfect precision, striking at their weakest point.
That suffocating pressure only led to one thing—despair.
Smack!
"Touch shot!"
"I got it!"
...
The match continued.
Even though Washijo's strategy was a temporary fix, it had stopped Shiratorizawa from falling apart.
They hadn't closed the gap with Karasuno yet.
But they also weren't falling further behind.
And sometimes, they even managed to tie the score.
However, as the match progressed—
20 points, 22 points… 24, match point!
Karasuno had reached match point!
They led 24-23!
One more point, and they would win the first set!
In the coaching area, Ukai clenched his fists nervously.
Washijo, too, was tense. His hands were balled into fists, his eyes locked onto the court.
Both Akira and Ushijima were in the back row now.
This point would be decided by the front row's performance.
Smack!
The serve flew in, and Karasuno moved into position.
Akira and Nishinoya quickly spread out, ready to receive.
But this wasn't an ideal situation for Karasuno.
Shiratorizawa had the serve advantage and would attack first.
And with Akira in the back row, their blocking force was weaker.
If they couldn't defend this attack, the score would be tied again!
Smack!
As expected!
Goshiki received perfectly.
Shirabu jumped, setting the ball—
A perfect toss to the ace!!
Ushijima understood immediately, accelerating towards the three-meter line.
He leaped before it.
"Block him!"
Karasuno's front row shouted in unison.
They had to at least slow him down!
But Ushijima's attack—
Was at full power!!
Boom!
His spike blasted straight through Tsukishima's block!!
The ball rocketed toward the floor—
But just before it could hit—
A hand shot out between the ball and the ground!!
Nishinoya!!
"First touch! Keep it up!"
He pushed off the floor, his voice echoing through the gym.
Kageyama, stunned for a split second, snapped into action.
There was no time for hesitation!
He sprinted to the falling ball and jumped—
"This one's for our ace!"
Akira saw the set coming and didn't hesitate.
He charged forward from the back row, leaping just before the three-meter line!
Boom!
His foot hit the floor like a drumbeat of war!
At the peak of his jump, Kageyama's set reached him—
"Stop him!"
Shiratorizawa's blockers yelled in unison.
Washijo gripped the hem of his coat, palms drenched in sweat.
All eyes locked on this moment.
Boom!
A blinding white blur cut through the air, wrapped in a spiraling burst of energy!
Shiratorizawa's blockers—
Didn't even touch it!!
Like a meteor blazing through the sky, the ball soared past their hands!
Boom!
Shiratorizawa's libero dived—
But he was a moment too late!!
The ball slammed into the wooden floor!!
Then bounced far out of reach!!
Tweet!
Karasuno 25 - 23 Shiratorizawa!!