Nekoma's Journey to the Quarterfinals
Nekoma's Journey to the Quarterfinals
Nekoma continued their relentless march through the Tokyo Inter-High Qualifier tournament, relying on their team synergy, ironclad defense, and the rapidly rising star of their first-year ace, Wakasa Kiyoshi. Their victories not only solidified their place in the quarterfinals but also sent shockwaves through the volleyball community.
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Round Two: Nekoma vs. Tama Central High
Tama Central High, known for their aggressive serving and unpredictable offense, tried to unsettle Nekoma's rhythm with powerful jump serves and quick attacks. But Wakasa quickly neutralized their strategy.
From the opening whistle, Wakasa dominated. Tama Central's blockers were helpless against his devastating spikes, which he placed with pinpoint precision. One rally saw him smash a sharp-angle spike directly into the libero's chest, sending him stumbling back.
The spectators were stunned.
"That's the Nekoma ace? He's terrifying!"
"Since when did Nekoma have someone like him?"
Wakasa's hybrid serves also wreaked havoc. He scored three consecutive service aces, forcing Tama Central into repeated timeouts.
Kuroo and Inuoka controlled the net with their unrelenting blocks, while Lev added surprise attacks that kept Tama Central guessing. The match ended swiftly:
Final Score: Nekoma 25-12, 25-16
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Round Three: Nekoma vs. Kitasawa South High
Kitasawa South High, a more balanced team with strong defense, aimed to drag Nekoma into long rallies. However, Nekoma thrived in this environment, with Wakasa leading the attack and the defense ensuring nothing hit the floor.
Lev's Breakthrough
Lev stepped up during this match, proving why he was considered Nekoma's wildcard. After a series of well-timed quick attacks, Lev landed an impressive one-touch block against Kitasawa's ace, throwing off their rhythm completely.
"Did you see that reach?" one player murmured.
"That guy's not just tall—he's improving fast!"
Kuroo and Inuoka: Defensive Walls
Kuroo and Inuoka shut down Kitasawa's attempts at a comeback. Their synchronized blocks against quick attacks drew applause from the crowd, while Inuoka's jump float serves continued to disrupt the opponents' formation.
Wakasa ended the match with a thunderous back-row spike, solidifying Nekoma's place in the quarterfinals.
Final Score: Nekoma 25-15, 25-18
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Fukurodani Academy
Bokuto Kōtarō, Fukurodani's ace, watched clips of Wakasa's performance during a team meeting.
"Man, that guy is scary!" Bokuto exclaimed. "He's like Ushijima and Sakusa combined! We'll have to watch out for him."
Akaashi, their calm and strategic setter, nodded. "He's an extremely efficient hitter. If we face Nekoma, we'll need to prioritize shutting him down."
Itachiyama Institute
Itachiyama's captain and ace, Sakusa Kiyoomi, sat in silence as he reviewed footage of Wakasa. His sharp eyes analyzed every movement.
"His technique is clean," Sakusa finally said. "He doesn't waste energy, and his shots are precise. If he keeps this up, he'll be one of the best."
Their setter, lizuna, added, "And his serving game is no joke. He's got the full package. But he hasn't faced Itachiyama yet."
Sakusa smirked slightly. "We'll see if he can handle our defense."
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Nekoma's matches quickly became the talk of the tournament. Teams and spectators alike were in awe of their first-years, particularly Wakasa. His powerful spikes, precise serves, and calm demeanor under pressure earned him comparisons to Japan's top aces.
"He's not just strong—he's smart," one coach commented.
"And he's only a first-year," another remarked. "Imagine what he'll be like in a year or two."
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Nekoma's Locker Room: Preparing for the Quarterfinals
As the team rested after their third-round victory, Kuroo addressed the group.
"We've come this far because we trust each other," Kuroo said. "But the quarterfinals will be a whole new level. The teams we'll face now are gunning for Nationals, just like us."
Wakasa leaned against the wall, his expression calm but focused. "Whoever it is, we'll beat them."
Lev grinned. "Yeah! They won't know what hit them!"
Kenma glanced up from his phone. "Let's just make sure we don't get reckless. The quarterfinals won't be forgiving."
Inuoka pumped his fist. "We've got this! I'll block anything that comes our way!"
Kuroo nodded, a confident smirk on his face. "Let's show everyone why Nekoma is more than just a team of defenders. We're a team that can dominate."
As they prepared for the next challenge, the team felt the weight of the tournament but also the excitement of proving themselves on an even bigger stage. Wakasa's growing reputation and the team's synergy had made them a force to be reckoned with—and they were just getting started.