Representing Miyagi Prefecture, Aoba Johsai High School—making their second consecutive appearance and ninth overall at Nationals.
Representing Fukuoka Prefecture, Ichibayashi High School—making their second consecutive appearance and third overall at Nationals.
Tokyo tropolitan Gymnasium, Court A. The quarterfinal match of the National Tournant: Aoba Johsai versus Ichibayashi. The match began.
Ichibayashi's starting lineup:
Front row—Middle Blocker Shiramine Sōji, Outside Hitter Matsukawa Takuya, Outside Hitter Araki Kōsei.
Back row—Outside Hitter Yasui Junichi, Setter Matsuo Satoshi, and Middle Blocker Uchizawa Iori (Libero: Hanyū Kōmitsu).
Aoba Johsai's starting lineup:
Front row—Outside Hitter Kyōtani Kentarō, Setter Yahaba Shigeru, Middle Blocker Yūki Yōji.
Back row—Middle Blocker Kindaichi Yūtarō (Libero: Nakamori Daiki), Outside Hitter Kunimi Akira, and Outside Hitter Kaedehara Taichi.
Aoba Johsai to serve first. Kaedehara Taichi stepped up to the service line.
"Up to now, we've seen all kinds of teams, but it's rare to see a squad like Ichibayashi that shows absolutely no sign of nerves when facing Aoba Johsai," said Mizoguchi Sadayuki with a serious expression.
Irihata Nobuteru gave a slow nod. By now, most teams felt imnse pressure just standing opposite Aoba Johsai. And yet Ichibayashi stood there—calm, composed.
"They must have put in enough effort during their training to earn that kind of confidence," he murmured.
"Tweet!—"
The whistle for service blew.
The volleyball floated gently into the air. Kaedehara Taichi took a relaxed approach, as if strolling through a garden, then leapt and struck.
BOOM!!!
A thunderous sound marked the official start of the match.
The ball shot like lightning toward Ichibayashi's back row, its montum overwhelming!
BANG!
The ball slamd into the floor and bounced high.
Kaedehara Taichi scored an ace.
[Aoba Johsai 1 – 0 Ichibayashi]
"These guys..."
At Taichi's very first serve, both the setter and the libero in Ichibayashi's back row had reacted at the sa ti.
"Don't worry about it! Next one!"
Even after giving up a service ace, none of Ichibayashi's players showed the slightest hint of panic.
"It's been over a month since we last received his serve…Yeah, it's even faster than I rembered," Matsuo Satoshi murmured.
Hanyū Kōmitsu nodded. The ball had flown exactly along the path he'd pictured in his mind—just too fast for his body to keep up.
"I'll get the next one."
Matsuo squinted with a grin. "Of course. I believe in you."
"That's the look of soone trying to prove himself," Kaedehara Taichi observed with a trace of surprise. "So that's why they're not afraid of us…"
BOOM!!!
Kaedehara Taichi served his second ball.
Almost simultaneously, Hanyū Kōmitsu sprang into motion.
Smack!
He got it! But the left-handed spin sent the ball out of bounds!
"Nice dig!"
Matsuo had moved the mont the ball was struck—but not toward where Hanyū sent it. Instead, he was already headed for where the ball would land—out of bounds.
Smack!
Matsuo dove and rescued the ball back into play, sprawling across the floor in the process.
Thud!
Araki Kōsei launched from the back row and swung with full force!
BOOM!!
"Triple block!"
Kyōtani Kentarō, Yahaba Shigeru, and Yūki Yōji all jumped together.
But since Araki had hit from the back row, by the ti the ball reached the net, his montum had already dropped—giving the blockers the edge.
Blocked!
BOOM!
The ball slamd into Yahaba's arms.
"What?!"
The ball pierced through the block! It went straight down toward Aoba Johsai's court!
Smack!
Kaedehara Taichi dove and barely kept the ball alive.
"Cover it!"
Kunimi Akira followed up, sending a high set to the right. Yūki Yōji leapt and swung again.
BOOM!—
—Smack!
The ball struck Araki Kōsei's arm and deflected back into Aoba Johsai's court…
Ichibayashi scored off the block.
[Aoba Johsai 1 – 1 Ichibayashi]
This guy…When did he—
The drowsiness in Kunimi Akira's eyes vanished completely.
Did he already expect his spike to be dug up from the start?
—"Araki Kōsei! After executing the final back-row attack, he imdiately sprinted to join the front-row block!"
—"In the rally right after Taichi scored with his serve, Ichibayashi successfully reclaid control of the ball!"
Because of the block, Yūki Yōji had to jump and attack from where he stood. In contrast, Araki Kōsei had backed off for a back-row spike and then rushed forward again to leap for the block. Even with his height advantage, Yūki had his spike shut down head-on.
"Sorry," Yūki muttered, lowering his head.
"Don't sweat it!" Taichi called out loudly. "Get your head back in the ga. They're even more fired up than we are!"
Possession changed—Ichibayashi to serve.
Shiramine Sōji stepped up and unleashed a powerful jump serve. Nakamori Daiki received it cleanly.
Yahaba Shigeru set the ball high toward the left wing.
BOOM!!
Kyōtani Kentarō spiked through a three-man block and scored.
[Aoba Johsai 2 – 1 Ichibayashi]
"Tch. These guys...Would it kill them to act a little intimidated?" Kyōtani growled, glaring through the net.
Despite losing the point, the Ichibayashi players remained perfectly calm.
"Next ball, next ball!"
Possession changed—Yūki Yōji with the serve.
Boom!!!
Smack!
Hanyū Kōmitsu received the serve but fell to the ground in the process.
"Cover him!"
Matsuo Satoshi quickly moved in and set the ball to the middle. Araki Kōsei leapt up and spiked.
"Three-man block!" Kindaichi Yūtarō, Kyōtani Kentarō, and Yahaba Shigeru all jumped to intercept.
BOOM!!!
A super spike!
The ball soared past Yahaba's outstretched hands, heading straight for Yūki Yōji.
Smack!
The ball hit his hands and ricocheted out of bounds.
Araki Kōsei scored.
[Aoba Johsai 2 – 2 Ichibayashi]
Among the well-balanced Ichibayashi lineup, one player stood out—Araki Kōsei.
"He's really hard to stop," Taichi muttered, straightening his posture and stretching slightly. "Makes wanna block him myself."
Ichibayashi served again.
Matsukawa Takuya launched a powerful jump serve, which Taichi received.
Yahaba leapt to set the ball. Taichi jumped from the back row.
"Set it to !"
Whoosh—!
"Double block!" Uchizawa Iori and Matsuo Satoshi leapt in front of Taichi.
But the ball flew past Taichi and toward the far-left side. Kyōtani Kentarō leapt for the spike—Araki Kōsei stood alone before him.
Even a three-man block struggled to stop Kyōtani, let alone one person.
Kyōtani's right arm tensed—he swung down hard.
BOOM!!!
"Not so fast!"
From Kyōtani's right, middle blocker Uchizawa Iori jumped again to interfere with the attack. But his second jump lacked both height and proper form.
The ball blasted over Uchizawa's hands, aiming straight for Ichibayashi's court.
Smack!
Hanyū Kōmitsu dove and made the save.
The ball veered out of bounds, but Yasui Junichi chased it down and sent it flying back into play.
Ichibayashi's formation was in disarray. Matsuo, covering from the back, returned the ball to Aoba Johsai with a no-attack free ball.
"Chance ball!"
Nakamori Daiki received it perfectly.
Yahaba leapt and set the ball.
Thud!
Taichi jumped again from the back row.
Yahaba let out a wry smile—this play was a little too obvious.
Whoosh—!
The ball soared high toward midcourt, and Taichi spiked it hard.
BANG!!!
"Triple block!" Araki Kōsei, Uchizawa Iori, and Matsuo Satoshi jumped together to intercept.
Despite their ssy formation, every Ichibayashi player stuck to their role.
Smack!
The ball struck Uchizawa's arm and flew high—soaring past the backline.
Hanyū Kōmitsu, who had just gotten to his feet, whipped his head around and gave chase.
Thump!
Hanyū flung himself forward, diving full-length to reach the ball and crashing hard onto the floor.
Thud!
The ball hit the ground.
Kaedehara Taichi scored again with a back-row spike.
[Aoba Johsai 3 – 2 Ichibayashi]
_________
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