Inter-High Qualifier Tournament: Tokyo Round
Inter-High Qualifier Tournament: Tokyo Round
The Tokyo Inter-High Qualifier tournament was buzzing with energy. Schools from across the prefecture gathered to compete, each team carrying the weight of their hopes and dreams. For Nekoma, this marked the first major test for their first-years—Wakasa Kiyoshi, Shōhei Inuoka, and Lev Haiba.
The month of intense training had transformed Nekoma into a well-oiled machine. Their strategy was sharper, their defense impenetrable, and their offense more dynamic than ever.
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Pre-Match Huddle
In the locker room, Kuroo gathered the team in a tight circle. His tone was calm yet commanding.
"This is our first step to Nationals," Kuroo began. "Remember, Nekoma is built on defense, but that doesn't mean we don't pack a punch. Wakasa, you're our ace. Show them why."
Wakasa, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, gave a simple nod. "I will."
"Inuoka, you're our first line of defense," Kuroo continued. "Block everything you can. Read their hitters."
"Yes, sir!" Inuoka said with determination.
"Lev, you're our wildcard. Stay unpredictable. Use your height and instincts," Kuroo added.
Lev grinned nervously. "Got it, Captain!"
Kenma, seated quietly on the bench, spoke up. "Just trust the flow of the game. I'll get the ball where it needs to go. Let's make it clean."
With their plan set, the team headed to the court.
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Nekoma vs. Odaiba High
The first opponent was Odaiba High, a scrappy team with decent offensive power. They weren't to be underestimated, but Nekoma was ready to set the tone.
First Set: Wakasa's Dominance
From the very first serve, Wakasa Kiyoshi established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Kenma fed him a high set on the left wing, and Wakasa exploded off the ground. His spike tore through Odaiba's blockers, the sound of the ball slamming into the court echoing across the gym.
The crowd murmured in awe.
"Did you see that power?" one spectator whispered.
"That's their ace? He's unstoppable!"
Wakasa wasn't done. On the very next play, he showcased his versatility, delivering a sharp-angle spike from the back row that grazed the sideline.
"Nice kill, Wakasa!" Kuroo shouted, grinning.
Odaiba quickly learned that Wakasa wasn't just powerful—he was smart. He varied his shots, mixing straight spikes with off-speed tips that exploited gaps in their defense.
By the end of the set, Wakasa had racked up 12 points, leaving Odaiba scrambling to adjust.
Score: Nekoma 25-14
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Second Set: Inuoka and Kuroo's Defense
Odaiba came into the second set with renewed determination, targeting Nekoma's blockers with quick plays and feints. But they hadn't counted on Inuoka's growth.
Inuoka, now a core middle blocker, had honed his ability to read hitters. On Odaiba's first attempt at a quick attack, Inuoka leapt early, his hands perfectly aligned to shut down their ace.
"Block-out!" the referee called as the ball bounced back into Odaiba's court.
"Nice read, Inuoka!" Kuroo said, clapping him on the back.
Kuroo himself was a wall at the net, combining his experience and tactical mind to frustrate Odaiba's hitters. Together, he and Inuoka formed an impenetrable barrier.
On defense, Yaku and Kenma kept the ball alive with stunning receives, feeding opportunities for Lev to shine.
Lev's Wildcard Factor
Lev's unpredictability became a game-changer. His height and reach allowed him to execute quick attacks that caught Odaiba off-guard, and his energy on the court kept Nekoma's momentum high.
On one play, Kenma set a slightly off-timed ball to Lev, who adjusted mid-air and slammed it down with force.
"Nice one, Lev!" Yaku yelled.
Lev's blocking also improved. Paired with Inuoka or Kuroo, he became a key player in shutting down Odaiba's attempts to regain momentum.
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Closing the Match
As the second set neared its end, Odaiba made one final push, targeting Lev with sharp serves to disrupt Nekoma's rhythm. But Yaku, ever the reliable libero, stepped in to stabilize the receive.
Kenma fed the ball to Wakasa on match point. With an almost casual ease, Wakasa soared above the net and delivered a crosscourt spike that blew past Odaiba's defenders.
The ball hit the court with a thunderous crack.
Final Score: Nekoma 25-14, 25-17
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Post-Match Reflections
As the team regrouped, Kuroo looked at his players with pride.
"Wakasa, you were a beast out there," Kuroo said, slinging an arm around the ace. "Twelve points in the first set? Insane."
Wakasa shrugged. "Just doing my job."
"Inuoka, your blocking was solid," Kenma added. "Keep reading the hitters like that, and we'll shut down even stronger teams."
Inuoka grinned. "Thanks, Kenma! I'll keep working on it."
"Lev," Yaku said, smirking, "you're still a little rough, but that unpredictability of yours is working in our favor. Just keep trusting Kenma's sets."
Lev grinned sheepishly. "Got it! I'll do better next match."
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Looking Ahead
As Nekoma packed up, Kuroo gathered the team for a quick talk.
"This is just the first step," Kuroo said. "The competition's only going to get tougher from here. But we've got what it takes. Let's keep building on this momentum."
Wakasa, Lev, and Inuoka exchanged determined looks. This was their first tournament, but they had already proven themselves as essential members of Nekoma's web.
For Wakasa, it was about maintaining his dominance as the ace. For Inuoka, it was about becoming an impenetrable wall. And for Lev, it was about embracing his role as Nekoma's wildcard.
Together, they were ready to face whatever challenges the tournament would throw their way.
Ps: so guys Just I told you he is not gonna use his full power till final or national and act suprise if he see something new for example hinata quick attack