"—And just like that, a setter dump scores the opening point!"
"What a bold play from Aoba Johsai's setter, #1—Oikawa Tōru!" exclaid Ōtomo, the comntator.
Throughout the matches leading up to this point, Oikawa had left a deep impression on Ōtomo.
As a setter of such calibre, it was almost unthinkable that this was his first ti competing at Nationals, only in his third year. Ōtomo and Aoi had often lanted the cruel realities of the National tournant system during their post-comntary discussions.
"Perhaps so of you watching haven't heard his na before, but mark my words: after this Nationals, the na Oikawa Tōru will be known across the entire country!"
Aoi gently patted his overly enthusiastic co-comntator, trying to calm him down.
"Truly, the Demonic Third Day. Not a single team that's made it this far is easy to deal with…" Mujinazaka's setter, Usuri Michiru, muttered as he gazed at the court.
With Aoba Johsai in possession, Oikawa stepped up to the service line.
Ōtomo, already standing in anticipation, looked like he was becoming Oikawa's number-one cheerleader, much to Aoi's amusent.
Boom!
"A service ace!"
"Oikawa's serving ability is truly top-notch, even on the National stage! Mujinazaka's libero, Bishin Haruma, couldn't react in ti."
"This kind of serve takes so getting used to…" Aoi quickly added, balancing the comntary to avoid favouring one side too much.
[Aoba Johsai 2 – 0 Mujinazaka]
Oikawa prepared for his second serve. The ball floated over the net with a deceptive trajectory, dropping sharply into Mujinazaka's court.
Wing spiker Ezota Naoharu dived to receive it but miscalculated, and the ball deflected out of bounds.
"Back-to-back points!"
"Oikawa switches seamlessly between two types of serves, scoring three consecutive points against National-level players with pure skill!"
"Ohhh—!"
"YEAH!!"
Aoba Johsai's players erupted in excitent, celebrating their ideal start to the match. The flawless execution of their opening strategy brought visible satisfaction to the team.
[Aoba Johsai 3 – 0 Mujinazaka]
"Even if you gave another year, I don't think I'd reach that level…" Usuri Michiru said with a wry smile, pretending to wipe nonexistent sweat from his brow.
"My bad, I couldn't handle it…" Ezota apologized quietly.
"Don't worry about it. Just recognizing it was a float serve is impressive enough. Setters always play dirty," Unnan Keisuke teased, patting his teammate's shoulder.
"..." Usuri chose silence, his lips twitching.
"If we lose points on serves, I'll make up for it with mine." Kiryū Wakatsu's calm yet determined voice cut through the tension. In stark contrast to his emotionally intricate off-court persona, he radiated unwavering focus during the match.
Oikawa launched his third serve.
Switching between serve styles could confuse opponents, but it also increased the risk of errors. This ti, the ball sailed out of bounds.
[Aoba Johsai 3 – 1 Mujinazaka]
"Whew—" Mujinazaka's players collectively exhaled in relief. If Oikawa's serves had scored any more points, they would have been in serious trouble right from the start.
Now it was Mujinazaka's turn to serve. Wing spiker Hondo Subaru opted for a powerful jump serve, aiming for an aggressive play.
Iwaizumi Haji stepped in to receive, his arms forming a steady platform that sent the ball cleanly back to Oikawa.
"Who will the set go to?"
"Mad Dog-chan!" Oikawa's quick decision sent the ball soaring high to the right wing.
Kyōtani Kentarō charged forward, his approach perfectly tid. He leapt with explosive energy and spiked the ball with full force.
"Block him!"
"Triple block!" Mujinazaka's middle blockers, Unnan Keisuke and Ezota Naoharu, along with Kiryū Wakatsu, ford an impenetrable wall in front of Kyōtani.
They were fast—too fast.
No gaps.
All three blockers were over 180 cm tall, with Unnan and Kiryū towering at 190 cm and 188 cm, respectively.
"Smack!"
Kyōtani's cross-court attack was t squarely by Unnan's block, the ball rebounding sharply into Aoba Johsai's court.
Mujinazaka scored on the block!
[Aoba Johsai 3 – 2 Mujinazaka]
"Mujinazaka's blocking lineup has lightning-fast reflexes!"
"One of Mujinazaka's twin towers, Unnan Keisuke, perfectly blocks Aoba Johsai's #16 spike!" The comntator Aoi seized the chance to showcase his analysis.
"What a spectacular block!"
The three Mujinazaka front-row players exchanged high-fives, their energy palpable.
This marked the first ti Kyōtani Kentarō, despite a flawless setup, had his cross-court spike blocked.
Oikawa Tōru glanced at him briefly, noting that Kyōtani's fighting spirit remained unshaken, and refrained from saying anything further.
"For his second serve, Hondo Subaru once again opts for an aggressive attack, but unfortunately, the ball flies out of bounds."
"It seems that falling behind early has shaken Mujinazaka's players a little…"
[Aoba Johsai 4 – 2 Mujinazaka]
"Sorry—"
"Don't worry about it, next point!"
Aoba Johsai's serve rotated to Kindaichi, whose jump serve lacked much power. Mujinazaka's libero, Bishin Haruma, received it with ease.
"Here it cos! Go, Waka-chan!"
Setter Usuri Michiru lofted the ball high toward the right wing, where Kiryū Wakatsu began his approach from the back row.
One step, two steps, three steps. Kiryū surged into the air, his chest thrust forward as his right arm traced a wide arc, striking the ball with a thunderous force.
"Triple block!" Kaedehara Taichi, Hanamaki Takahiro, and Kyōtani Kentarō leaped to form a solid wall.
Smack!
The volleyball ricocheted off Kyōtani's hands and smashed into Aoba Johsai's court.
Kiryū Wakatsu scored with a powerful spike!
[Aoba Johsai 4 – 3 Mujinazaka]
!!!
"What a monstrous spike from Kiryū Wakatsu!"
"He completely disregards the block! This is the strength of one of the nation's top three aces!"
"The Middle Blocker on Aoba Johsai's right wing was sent sprawling by that devastating shot!"
Across the net, Kiryū Wakatsu locked eyes with Kyōtani Kentarō, who was still sitting on the court. Both glared at each other with unyielding determination.
"So frustrating!" muttered Kindaichi, who had just rotated to the back row and was tasked specifically with defending against Kiryū. Mujinazaka's sudden lineup shuffle had caught Aoba Johsai off guard.
"Mujinazaka's ace, Kiryū, really gives off an aura of imnse strength, doesn't he? And his jumping ability is equally impressive!" Aoi explained with a smile.
"It's said that Mujinazaka has put a trendous emphasis on physical training!"
"Kiryū's spiking technique is also intriguing. How should I put it? It seems like his approach is slightly more to the left compared to most players," comnted Ōtomo, showcasing his technical expertise.
"It's not just a stylistic quirk. When Kiryū spikes, he focuses on channelling as much of his body weight as possible into his dominant hand. He's the type to prioritize sheer power over precision in ball placent," Aoi added confidently.
"Wow, Aoi-sensei knows so much…"
"Hahaha, these details are actually featured in this month's Volleyball Monthly. Interested viewers can pick up a copy after the match!"
Mujinazaka's serve rotated to Unnan Keisuke. Despite his towering stature, his serve was unremarkable.
Watanabe Shinji received it with practised ease, passing the ball cleanly to Oikawa Tōru. At the sa ti, Taichi appeared on the left wing, ready for an attack.
"Here we go!"
The ball arced perfectly to Taichi, who hamred it down with precision.
Smack!
"Targeted blocking! Mujinazaka's other 'tower,' Nozomu, managed to get a hand on Kaedehara's spike!"
The ball deflected once.
Hondo Subaru scrambled to chase it down and set it back into play.
"Wakatsu-senpai!" Usuri Michiru called out once again as he sent the ball toward the left wing again.
It was slightly lower this ti.
Kiryū Wakatsu took a single step and launched himself skyward.
Boom!
"Kiryū Wakatsu scores from the left wing! Mujinazaka ties the ga!"
"That set was slightly low, making it a difficult ball to attack," Aoi observed keenly.
"But even with a poor setup, Kiryū Wakatsu turned it into a point. That's why he's called the Bad Ball Specialist Kiryū Wakatsu! Absolutely relentless!"
[Aoba Johsai 4 – 4 Mujinazaka]
_________
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