First Set: Nekoma vs. Itachiyama – The Duel of Aces
First Set: Nekoma vs. Itachiyama – The Duel of Aces
The whistle signaled the start of the first set, and the energy in the arena surged as Nekoma and Itachiyama locked horns. It wasn't just a battle between two schools—it was a clash of opposites: brains vs. instincts, defense vs. offense, strategy vs. power. At the heart of this battle were the two aces, Sakusa Kiyoomi and Wakasa Kiyoshi, carrying the weight of their teams on their shoulders.
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Early Game: Sakusa's Precision vs. Wakasa's Instincts
After Nekoma's steady reception of Sakusa's opening serve, Kenma set the ball to Wakasa on the left. The crowd held its breath as Wakasa launched himself into the air with his copied boom jump, soaring higher than most players could ever dream. His body twisted mid-air as he smashed the ball cross-court, bypassing the triple block Itachiyama had set up.
"Wakasa Kiyoshi scores the first point with an incredible cross-court spike!" the commentator roared. "What a start for Nekoma's first-year ace!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, but Itachiyama quickly countered. Sakusa responded with a sharp diagonal spike, his wrist snap so precise that the ball landed just inside the line, leaving Yaku diving in vain.
"Sakusa Kiyoomi answers immediately with his signature sharp angle shot!"
The two aces went back and forth, each displaying their unique strengths. Wakasa's raw athleticism, copied instincts, and the variety of his attacks made him a nightmare to block. His repertoire included Bokuto's powerful cross and line shots, Hinata's explosive jumps, and even deceptive tips that caught Itachiyama's defense off guard.
On the other hand, Sakusa's technique was clinical. He exploited every gap in Nekoma's defense with his wide range of spikes, including devastating straight shots and back-row attacks. His serves, too, were a constant threat, forcing Nekoma into difficult positions.
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Middle Game: Inouka's Standout Moment
As the set progressed, Itachiyama began to pull slightly ahead, thanks to their setter and captain, Lizuna, who orchestrated their offense with surgical precision. Sakusa continued to rack up points, but Nekoma's middle blocker, Inouka So, had been studying his movements closely.
"Itachiyama leads 14-11! Nekoma needs to find a way to stop Sakusa's relentless attacks!"
Finally, the moment came. Lizuna set a quick ball to Sakusa, who launched into one of his signature spikes. But this time, Inouka anticipated it perfectly. Timing his jump with flawless precision, he reached above the net and met Sakusa's spike head-on, the ball slamming back into Itachiyama's court.
"Inouka with a one-man block against Sakusa Kiyoomi! What a play!"
The Nekoma bench erupted in cheers as Inouka landed, his fist pumping in the air. "That's how you read an ace!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the din of the crowd.
Kuroo ran up to him, clapping him on the back. "Nice read, Inouka! Keep it up!"
The block gave Nekoma the momentum they needed, and Wakasa took full advantage. His next spike, a powerful back-row attack set up by Kenma, thundered past Itachiyama's blockers, evening the score at 16-16.
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Late Game: Aces in Overdrive
As the set approached its climax, both aces ramped up their efforts. Sakusa continued to dominate with his sharp cross shots and deceptive roll shots, while Wakasa showcased his versatility, mixing in tips and off-speed shots to keep Itachiyama's defense guessing.
At one point, Lizuna set a tricky ball to Sakusa, who faked a spike and instead went for a tip. Yaku dived just in time, saving the ball with an incredible one-handed dig. Kenma quickly set the ball to Wakasa, who soared above the net and delivered a spike so powerful that it ricocheted off Itachiyama's libero and into the stands.
"Wakasa Kiyoshi is on fire! His dominance at the net is keeping Nekoma in the game!"
But Itachiyama wasn't going to let up. Sakusa unleashed a back-row attack that grazed the fingertips of Nekoma's blockers, landing just inside the baseline.
"Sakusa Kiyoomi shows why he's considered one of the best in the country! This is a duel for the ages!"
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Set Point: Lizuna's Setter Dump
With the score tied at 24-24, every point was a battle. Both teams were giving it their all, their players diving for every ball and blocking every attack. Finally, Itachiyama earned set point after a Sakusa spike deflected off Yaku's arms and out of bounds.
"Itachiyama has set point! Can Nekoma turn it around, or will the reigning champions take the first set?"
On the next play, Nekoma anticipated another set to Sakusa. Kuroo and Inouka formed a solid double block, and Wakasa shifted slightly to cover the cross-court shot. But Lizuna, ever the opportunist, saw the gap in Nekoma's formation.
At the last second, instead of setting the ball, he tipped it lightly over the net—a perfectly executed setter dump.
"Lizuna with a brilliant setter dump! Nekoma didn't see that coming!"
The ball landed untouched, and the referee's whistle signaled the end of the set.
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First Set: Itachiyama Wins 26-24
"Itachiyama takes the first set 26-24! What a thrilling opener to this final match!"
The Itachiyama players gathered to celebrate, their confidence evident. On the other side, Nekoma regrouped, their determination unshaken despite the loss.
Wakasa wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes blazing with resolve. "We're not done yet," he muttered, his voice firm.
Kuroo clapped his hands, rallying his team. "Shake it off, guys. We'll take the next one. Let's show them what Nekoma is made of!"
The battle was far from over.