"Th-this…"
"The ace of Team USA, Aaron Russell, scores with a magnificent spike the mont he steps onto the court!"
"He's not only a left-handed attacker, but also boasts a high contact point and an astonishing ball speed!"
"Even against Japan's triple block, Aaron Russell breaks through the middle and scores with ease!"
Kaedehara Taichi's expression was grim. In that split second, he had noticed the spike ca from the left hand—but before he could even adjust his receiving stance, the ball was already right in front of him.
It wasn't just about a high contact point. What made Russell truly threatening was the speed of his arm swing and the explosive velocity of the ball.
This block hadn't failed due to height—it was a matter of timing.
Sakusa Kiyoomi and Hyakuzawa Yūdai had clearly noticed the sa thing. The man stood at 207cm, yet moved with a level of agility that defied common sense.
Serve turnover—Team USA to serve.
The just-substituted middle blocker, Jeff Jendryk, moved to the back row. His 208cm fra had placed imnse pressure on Japan's front line while he was up front—but the situation hadn't improved much. On the other side, the 205cm Max Holt had now rotated to the front row.
After the substitutions, Team USA now had three players over two ters tall on the court at the sa ti.
Jeff Jendryk stepped up to the service line. He tossed the ball high, took two quick strides, and slamd it forward.
BOOM!!!
Smack!
Komori Motoya received the serve. Thankfully, the ball wasn't nearly as intimidating as Jendryk's towering fra.
The ball flew stably toward the front line—Miya Atsumu jumped to set.
On the other side, Taylor Sander jumped to block him. When facing a setter with no visible weaknesses, the best option was to limit his second touch in the most straightforward way.
Fwoosh—!
The ball was sent high toward the left wing. Sakusa Kiyoomi leapt up to spike.
Only one blocker remained on the Arican side—Aaron Russell, who quickly sealed off the straight angle.
BANG!—
Smack!
Aaron Russell felt the ball strike his arms—but it felt just a little different than usual.
Thud!
The ball flew out of bounds.
Sakusa Kiyoomi scores.
[Japan 10 – 5 USA]
"Hm? That kind of spin from such a close angle and distance?" Aaron Russell raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Interesting."
He started to understand what Christenson had been talking about—these Japanese players didn't look particularly strong, but each of them seed to have sothing…unique.
Serve turnover—Japan to serve. Hirugami Sachirō rotated into the front row.
Hyakuzawa Yūdai launched a powerful jump serve. Micah Ma'a received it cleanly—first touch perfectly in place.
Garrett Muagututia wasted no ti in setting the ball high toward the left wing. Aaron Russell soared upward and fired off another spike.
"He's so fast!" Hirugami Sachirō barely kept pace as he jumped to block.
Miya Atsumu and Sakusa Kiyoomi were both a step too slow on the block.
BOOM!!!
But it didn't matter.
The ball blasted past Hirugami's block and slamd directly into Japan's court.
Completely unreasonable.
Aaron Russell scores.
[Japan 10 – 6 USA]
For players on the professional stage, left-handed attackers weren't as exaggeratedly difficult to defend as they once seed.
The real difficulty with left-handers ca from the fact that most spikers used their right hand—this ant blockers often positioned their shoulders differently, and receivers were unaccustod to the reverse spin.
This kind of spike was deadly to high schoolers who relied on instinct and training-honed reflexes. But for seasoned professionals with ample match experience and a strong sense of positional adjustnt, defending against left-handers simply required an extra layer of judgnt—either while blocking or receiving.
What made 'lefties' truly dangerous were their added advantages. Ushijima Wakatoshi had power and height. Aaron Russell, on the other hand, possessed height and speed.
Serve turnover—Team USA to serve.
Aaron Russell stepped up to the service line.
When facing a team like the USA, whose serves leaned heavily on raw power, Japan held a critical advantage—their back row was filled with strong receivers. Japan's first touch was consistently stable, and this was a key reason why they still led the match.
Now in the back row were Kaedehara Taichi, Hoshiumi Kōrai, and Komori Motoya. All of them were prepared, their eyes locked on the star player's serve with eager anticipation.
Aaron Russell tossed the ball, sprinted forward, jumped—and slamd it.
BOOM!!!
No frills, no spin tricks. Just pure strength and speed.
The ball scread toward Japan's backcourt.
Smack!
Hoshiumi Kōrai backpedalled two steps, landing hard near the endline.
The ball popped high into the air—about to fly back into the USA's court.
"Smash it back!"
Max Holt jumped and spiked the ball imdiately.
Smack—!
Miya Atsumu jumped in the front row and, with one hand, set the ball toward the right wing.
It was just the right height.
Sakusa Kiyoomi leapt and swung. Garrett Muagututia jumped to block.
BOOM!
Smack!
The ball shot past Muagututia's right side, hitting Micah Ma'a's arm and bouncing out of bounds.
Sakusa Kiyoomi scores.
[Japan 11 – 6 USA]
"That much deflection?" Micah Ma'a muttered in surprise. "Japan's spikes…They're different from our straightforward style…"
Team USA's substitutions had strengthened their offence, making them seem unstoppable—but Japan's attacks remained effective. The point gap still held at five.
-----
BOOM!!!—
CRASH!
Kaedehara Taichi smashed a straight shot right onto the line and scored directly.
[Japan 19 – 15 USA]
Serve change—Japan's serve.
Kaedehara Taichi launched a powerful jump serve. Garrett Muagututia barely managed to receive it.
Micah Ma'a quickly moved into position and set the ball high to the right wing. Aaron Russell leapt up for a spike.
"Three-man block!" Sakusa Kiyoomi, Hyakuzawa Yūdai, and Hoshiumi Kōrai all jumped at once.
So far, Japan hadn't successfully blocked a single one of Aaron Russell's spikes—yet their blocking still carried conviction, with no hesitation.
BOOM!!!
Another tool-off-the-block spike!
Aaron Russell's hitting point hadn't dropped in the slightest!
Smack!
"It's not useless…"
Kaedehara Taichi received the ball cleanly!
Japan's timing at the net was improving. They still couldn't directly stop Russell's spikes, but they were beginning to limit so of his angles!
Miya Atsumu quickly moved into position and set the ball to the left wing.
This ball would decide the outco of the rally!
Sakusa Kiyoomi landed, took a lateral approach run, and jumped to spike.
BOOM!—
—SMACK!
A wall of shadow, crashing down like a collapsing building.
The ball hit Jeff Jendryk's arms and was imdiately suppressed.
Thud!
The volleyball struck down near Sakusa Kiyoomi's feet.
Point—Jeff Jendryk's block.
[Japan 19 – 16 USA]
"Sakusa Kiyoomi got blocked…and by a single blocker, no less…"
"Caught you, little rat." Jeff Jendryk made a "choking" gesture toward Sakusa, his words dripping with mockery.
Even if they didn't understand what Jendryk had said, the Japan team could clearly interpret the malicious intent in his actions. Besides, Sakusa was an excellent student—such a simple sentence was easy enough for him to understand.
"Don't worry about it, Sakusa-senpai!" Kaedehara Taichi shouted from the back row.
The first set wasn't over yet, but both teams were gradually adapting to each other's offence.
Serve change—USA's serve.
Micah Ma'a sent out a powerful jump serve. Komori Motoya received it.
Miya Atsumu moved in and set the ball. Japan's front row of Sakusa, Hyakuzawa, and Hoshiumi all launched into attack simultaneously.
"No one's marking Hyakuzawa?" Miya Atsumu's brows furrowed.
The USA had two blockers in front of Sakusa and one in front of Hoshiumi.
"Damn it!"
Whoosh!—
Miya set the ball to the middle. Hyakuzawa Yūdai jumped up to spike!
At almost the sa mont, Jeff Jendryk and Aaron Russell abandoned their marks and moved toward the middle.
"Double block!"
BOOM!!!
SMACK!
"Touched!" Jeff Jendryk shouted loudly.
The USA's block got there just in ti and successfully stopped Hyakuzawa's attack.
"Free ball!" Erik Shoji received it with ease—a perfect pass.
Micah Ma'a slowed down the tempo, giving his ace ample ti to prepare.
Thump!
Aaron Russell jumped again.
"Three-man block!" Sakusa, Hyakuzawa, and Hoshiumi all sprang up together.
BOOM!!!
The ball sailed above Hyakuzawa's block.
"I got it!"
Komori Motoya dashed in and positioned himself under the ball.
SMACK!
The sheer force behind the ball overwheld his body—his form broke apart under the pressure of the receive.
The ball deflected off his arms and dropped to the floor.
THUD!
Aaron Russell scored with his spike.
[Japan 19 – 17 USA]
The montum shift ca so fast that even the spectators couldn't react in ti.
The USA had narrowed the gap to just two points. Even worse—they now seed to have full control of the ga.
The USA continued to serve.
Micah Ma'a sent out his second serve.
Komori received it, and Miya Atsumu set the ball.
Kaedehara Taichi began his approach from the back line—this ti, all four of Japan's attackers joined the offensive!
"Whoa—this is insane!"
The USA quickly adjusted their block formation. Since Hoshiumi and Kaedehara were on the sa side, the Arican team set up a double block on the right.
Whoosh—!
The ball went to the left wing. Sakusa leapt for the spike.
Jeff Jendryk jumped solo to block.
BOOM!—
The ball easily avoided his block and flew toward the deep corner of the USA's court.
Smack!
Erik Shoji managed to dig it up.
"Save!"
"That was a disgusting spike."
Although Erik Shoji's receive was going out of bounds, he had put a lot of height on it.
Garrett Muagututia rushed up almost at the sa ti and positioned himself perfectly under the ball.
Whoosh!—
No matter how many tis—his target was always the sa.
Aaron Russell jumped for another spike!
"Three-man block!" Japan's nerves tensed instantly.
—BOOM!!!
This ti, the ball didn't just go over the block—it was aid straight at Miya Atsumu, guarding the back-left corner!
Aaron Russell wasn't arrogant enough to think no one could receive his spikes. So he aid to take out Japan's most troubleso setter first!
Smack!
"Save it!"
The ball slamd off Miya Atsumu's arms and flew out of bounds. Two players imdiately gave chase.
"I got it!" Komori Motoya shouted.
The USA's blocking was dangerous—Japan couldn't afford to lose an attacking option.
Kaedehara Taichi quickly turned and ran toward the net.
Smack!
Komori dove and hit the ball back into the front row—an unexpectedly good set while saving it.
Hyakuzawa jumped for the spike, with Taichi following right behind him.
"A tandem attack?!"
"No—!"
Tandem or not, leaving the first attacker unchecked was a fatal mistake!
"Double block!" Jendryk and Russell both jumped.
But this ti, at equal height, Hyakuzawa's swing was faster.
BOOM!!!
The ball blasted past the block and slamd into the centre of the USA's court.
Hyakuzawa Yūdai scored!
[Japan 20 – 17 USA]
"YESSSS!!!" Hyakuzawa let out a roar.
His reason for staying on the court—was to put everything into every spike and every block!
Japan successfully halted the USA's coback and reached the 20-point mark first.
Serve change—Japan's serve.
Hoshiumi Kōrai delivered a floating jump serve.
Bang!!
Target: the USA's middle blocker—Jeff Jendryk!
"What?!"
Jendryk hadn't expected to be targeted at all. In Arican pro volleyball, players rarely served such soft, floaty balls.
"Outta the way! I got it!"
Smack!
Micah Ma'a, fully focused, sprinted forward and dove to save the ball.
Garrett Muagututia followed right after him and arrived just beneath the ball as it was saved.
Whoosh!—
No matter how many tis—the set would go to the sa man.
Aaron Russell jumped for yet another spike!
"Three-man block!" Miya, Sakusa, and Hyakuzawa all jumped together.
"Crap!"
"Atsumu—!"
Despite Japan's aggressive blocking, their best read on the court ca from their back row—Kaedehara Taichi.
Only he noticed Aaron Russell's true intent.
BOOM!!!—
SMACK!
The ball ripped through Miya Atsumu's hands and crashed toward Japan's court!
Smack!
At the critical mont, Kaedehara Taichi slid under it—cushioning it just before it hit the floor.
The ball popped high into the air. Miya quickly recovered and went for the set.
"—!?"
Whoosh!—
But as Miya's hands lifted the ball, a numbing pain shot through his arms, and he lost control of the force.
"Damn it…"
The ball shot past Sakusa—without slowing.
"I got it!"
Hyakuzawa Yūdai, at the far right, jumped and spiked.
BOOM!!!
"Double block!"
On the other side of the net, an intimidating wall rose up.
Smack!
The ball hit Jeff Jendryk's arm and dropped back onto Japan's side.
Thud!
Point for the USA—block.
[Japan 20 – 18 USA]
"Hyakuzawa got blocked head-on…"
"Japan's 2-ter giant…doesn't seem to be in the sa league as his opponents…"
Suddenly, the crowd realised sothing—the once-unstoppable Japanese offence was starting to unravel.
They were still ahead in score—yet a growing sense of unease crept into everyone's hearts.
"Tweet!—"
"Team USA requests a substitution."
"Micah Ma'a OUT, Micah Christenson IN."
"Garrett Muagututia OUT, Matt Anderson IN."
Team USA made another substitution at this critical mont—genius setter Micah Christenson and the 210-centitre opposite hitter Matt Anderson stepped onto the court…
_________
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