Chapter 78: Spring High Preliminaries
The first set had started with an electrifying service ace from Asahi, sending a surge of adrenaline through the Karasuno team. (Y/n) couldn't contain her excitement as she cheered loudly for the ace.
"Alright, Asahi-senpai! Way to start the match like that!" (y/n) exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm and encouragement.
Asahi, flustered by the attention, waved at (y/n) with a grateful smile, muttering a shy "thank you" as he did so. The tone for the match was set, with Karasuno displaying their exceptional skills and teamwork. Even when the opposing team tried to switch to a feint attack, Daichi's exceptional receiving made it look effortless.
"Way to go, Daichi-senpai!" (y/n) cheered once more. "You're all doing great! Keep at it!"
The momentum was in Karasuno's favor, and one remarkable play followed another. It was evident to everyone that Karasuno had transformed into a powerhouse team once more.
"It's... Hmm, how do I put it..." Takeda began thoughtfully, his eyes sparkling with pride. "It seems like everyone is much more confident in their movements now."
"Yeah, when we went to Tokyo for the training camp, they didn't just focus on learning new skills," Keishin added, nodding in agreement. "They also dedicated time to honing their basic skills. Playing against high-level teams there has definitely paid off."
"The experience really boosted their confidence," (y/n) chimed in. "Now they're accustomed to facing formidable opponents, and it's making a huge difference in their performance."
The first set concluded with a powerful point scored by Hinata, securing a victory for Karasuno. During the short break, one of the opposing team's players brazenly boasted about winning this match and then defeating the powerhouse Shiratorizawa. The challenge only fueled the fire in Karasuno's hearts, and they were more determined than ever to prove their strength.
"Challenge accepted!" Tanaka roared in response, pumping his fist with unwavering resolve.
"Go get 'em, guys!" (y/n) called out, her voice echoing with support as the players returned to the court.
The second set was fiercely contested, with the opposing team displaying greater determination and tenacity. However, Karasuno's spirit and unwavering teamwork prevailed, and they emerged victorious once again, with Hinata scoring the final point.
"I'm sure Gramps is impressed right now," (y/n) remarked, her eyes gleaming with pride for her grandfather.
"Yeah, he'll be thrilled to see how well the third and second years are doing," Keishin agreed. "They didn't give up after the challenges they faced. Instead, they grew stronger and more determined because of it."
As the boys made their way over, jubilant over their first victory, (y/n) greeted them with an infectious smile.
"Our first huddle is safely cleared," Takeda stated, a sense of accomplishment evident in his tone.
"On to the next one!" (y/n) added, her enthusiasm matching that of the players. "Keep up the momentum, guys! We're all behind you!"
The Karasuno players exchanged triumphant high-fives, their spirits soaring as they prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. With their coaches, managers, and dedicated fans supporting them every step of the way, they were ready to face whatever the tournament had in store for them. Together, they were determined to continue their ascent and make their mark on the national stage.
The tension was palpable as (y/n) joined the Karasuno boys in watching the next match, which would determine their upcoming opponent. It didn't take long for everyone to notice the towering figure of a player on one of the teams.
"Gyah! A weapon!" Tanaka exclaimed with a banana still in his mouth.
"His height is like a weapon!" Asahi stuttered, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"And his captain is a jerk," (y/n) grumbled, her previous encounter with the team's captain fresh in her memory.
The match ended with Kakugawa emerging as the clear victor. The realization that they would be facing Hyakuzawa and his team in the next round left the Karasuno players both apprehensive and determined.
"We have to beat that giant goliath if we want to make it to the qualifier tournament," Hinata declared with a fierce glint in his eyes.
As the teams left the court, the true magnitude of Hyakuzawa's height became even more apparent to the Karasuno boys. Hyakuzawa politely bowed at (y/n), and she returned the gesture before casting a disapproving look towards the Kakugawa captain.
"You know him, (y/n)-san?" Hinata asked curiously.
"I ran into him briefly before I found you earlier," (y/n) explained. "Unfortunately, I didn't get to talk much to the guy since their captain intervened."
"Did you learn anything useful about him?" Keishin inquired.
"Well, it seems like he's relatively new to volleyball, and his basic skills aren't strong," (y/n) shared her observation. "His height may be a challenge, but we can overcome it. We'll show them that height alone isn't enough to beat us! Not even at 201.2cm!"
"201.2cm!" Hinata repeated, his face turning pale at the thought.
"What? Don't tell me you're actually afraid of that guy!?" Kageyama shot Hinata an annoyed look, his competitive spirit unwilling to accept any sign of fear from his teammate.
"N-no, I'm not afraid!" Hinata quickly protested, puffing out his chest. "I'm just... preparing myself mentally for the challenge!"
"That's the spirit!" (y/n) chimed in, giving Hinata a playful wink. "We've faced tougher opponents before, and we've come out victorious. Hyakuzawa's height may be intimidating, but we know how to work together and exploit our strengths. As long as we stay focused and play our best, we can handle anything that comes our way!"
The determination in (y/n)'s words seemed to reignite the fire within the Karasuno players. Hinata straightened his posture, his confidence returning, and Kageyama nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right," Kageyama acknowledged, a steely resolve in his eyes. "Let's show them the power of our quick attack!"
With renewed vigor and the support of their coaches and manager, the Karasuno team prepared to face Kakugawa High in the upcoming match. They were eager to prove themselves once more and demonstrate the strength that came from their unity as a team. As they stepped onto the court, they knew that whatever challenges Kakugawa High with their giant Hyakuzawa threw their way, they were ready to face them head-on, leaving everything on the court in pursuit of victory.
The second match began, and it quickly became apparent that the tall player's height was indeed a challenge for Karasuno. He effortlessly spiked over their blockers and even slammed down Hinata's feint with ease, leaving the team feeling frustrated and disheartened. Takeda called for a timeout to regroup and come up with a new strategy.
As the team huddled together, (y/n) and her brother noticed Nishinoya and Daichi exchanging knowing glances. They approached the boys with confidence, ready to offer their insights.
"Oh geez, he's hitting the ball from over our heads!" Hinata whined "How are we supposed to stop that?!"
"Don't worry, Hinata," Daichi reassured. "Height isn't everything in volleyball. We need to adapt and find a way to counter his spikes."
"Yeah, take it easy." Nishinoya joined in "Remember Shouyou, arial battles are not all there is to volleyball."
"Right he is." (y/n) walked over "Time for a new strategy! But I guess you already figured it out on your own!"
"Exactly," Nishinoya chimed in. "We'll focus on cross spike blocking. By positioning ourselves strategically, we can get our hands on the ball easier, and I can make better receives."
(Y/n) answered with a grin. "You guys are quick learners! I'm impressed. Let's see how they handle our new strategy now!"
The match resumed, and the Karasuno boys executed their revised blocking technique flawlessly. Nishinoya's receives improved significantly, and the team began to gain momentum. Kageyama saw an opportunity and asked Daichi if they could use the new quick set.
"Today, I'm feeling good." Kageyama spoke up "Daichi-san, can we use the new quick set?"
Hinata's eyes lit up in anticipation. "Let's do it, Kageyama!"
Hinata got really excited at the thought of using their new quick and that excitement only grew when they pulled it off successfully.
The synchronized attack left the opposing team bewildered, and (y/n) cheered loudly from the sidelines. "That was amazing! Keep it up, guys!"
Tsukishima showcased his blocking skills, shutting down one of their direct spikes with ease. (Y/n) praised him, encouraging him to continue using his height advantage.
"Alright! Show them how to use height String Bean!" (y/n) couldn't contain her excitement over how well they were all playing.
With their minus tempo quick, the first set was won easily, and the crowd erupted into cheers, bolstering the spirits of the Karasuno players.
The next set turned into an intense back-and-forth battle, with both teams scoring point after point. Karasuno continued to display their newfound attacks, with the synchro attack leaving their opponents bewildered yet again.
As match point approached, Daichi called for Tanaka and Hinata to switch to soft blocking, aiming to redirect the Goliath's powerful spikes. Kageyama set up the ball for Hinata, and instead of a powerful spike, Hinata executed a clever block out, securing the victory for Karasuno.
"We did it!" (y/n) cheered jubilantly. "You guys were incredible out there!"
The team huddled together, exchanging high-fives and celebrating their hard-earned victory. Takeda and Keishin also joined in, beaming with pride.
"You've all grown so much," Keishin said with a smile. "This is just the beginning. Let's keep pushing forward, and the nationals will be within our reach!"
The players nodded in agreement, their determination stronger than ever. As they advanced to the qualifier rounds, the team knew they had to keep up their hard work and unwavering spirit to overcome any obstacles that lay ahead on their journey to the nationals. With (y/n)'s support, they were ready to take on whatever challenges awaited them in their quest for victory.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen2U.Com