Second Set Victory
Yamarashi's timeout was not for arranging new tactics but purely for regrouping.
Being scored on three times right at the start had genuinely stunned Yamarashi.
Moreover, at this stage, most tactical strategies had lost their effectiveness. The only tactic the Yamarashi coach could still implement was to strictly target Nishimori Tomohiko.
Although he wasn't sure why this substitute setter had such high synergy with the opposing 'Ace,' he figured the synergy was most likely high only with the 'Ace.' Therefore, whenever the substitute setter organized an attack, they only needed to focus on the opposing 'Ace.'
After the Yamarashi coach laid out this strategy, the match resumed.
By reinforcing their defense, Yamarashi finally managed to block Akashi's spike in the second offensive rally, utilizing their triple block.
The score reached 4:1.
While Nishimori Tomohiko's substitution strengthened Akashi's core offensive ability, it simultaneously left a vulnerability in the backcourt defense. Thus, when Yamarashi attacked, if Senkoku failed to establish an effective block, they were highly likely to concede a point.
5:1.
5:2.
6:2.
6:3.
...
As the match intensified, both teams entered a phase of scoring exchanges.
However, relying on the early three-point advantage, Senkoku consistently maintained the lead. In a flash, the game reached set point, with the score at 24:19.
The final ball was served by Nishimori Tomohiko. The volleyball crossed the net and was received by the Yamarashi Libero. Yamarashi immediately organized an attack, but it was tipped by Kazama Juujirou's block in the front row.
The volleyball flew high into the air over the Senkoku court, becoming a chance ball for Senkoku's offense.
"Block him!"
At this point, the three Yamarashi blockers completely abandoned everyone else and decisively converged on Akashi's position. And indeed, the final set landed in Akashi's hands.
BAM!
Facing the triple block head-on, Akashi spiked an uncompromising diagonal shot that soared over the wall and struck the floor near the three-meter line.
As the ball landed, the referee's whistle echoed across the court.
25:19.
Match over.
The winner of the fifth round of the National Tournament Qualifiers: Senkoku Middle School.
...
Elsewhere, at the court hosting the Kitagawa Daiichi vs. Izumiishi Middle School match, a winner was also decided shortly after Senkoku's game ended. The final winner was Kitagawa Daiichi.
...
...
Pre-match Breakthrough
"The long-awaited battle is finally here!"
In the evening, Akashi murmured while lying on his bed in his room. Before his eyes was a status panel visible only to him.
| Host: Akashi |
|---|
| Power: 80.2 [Core Strength 80, Arm Strength 80.4] |
| Speed: 75.9 [Explosive Speed 76, Reaction Speed 75.9] |
| Stamina: 76.7 [Endurance 76.4, Cardiopulmonary 77] |
| Jumping: 77.8 [Jump 79.5, Hang Time 76.1] |
| Basic Skills: 73.3 [Serve 74.3, Receive 72.1, Set 65.8, Spike 79.8, Block 76, Defense 72.1] |
| Advanced Skills: [Diagonal Spike 74.6], [Straight Spike 74.8], [Jump Serve 75.4] |
Just after his extra training session this afternoon, Akashi's Core Strength and Arm Strength attributes had both finally broken past 80.
A breakthrough right before a major battle.
This was undoubtedly excellent news for Akashi.
Although it seems like just a single stat breakthrough, the reality is that the breakthrough in Core Strength, when linked with the Arm Strength attribute, resulted in Akashi's spiking power increasing by yet another level.
His spiking power now rivaled that of Asahi Azumane during his peak. Even at the high school level, he could be called a "main power hitter."
At the middle school level, two words were enough to describe it:
Utter dominance.
Furthermore, through this period of training, Akashi's Jump Serve also finally crossed the 75 threshold, a result largely thanks to the unexpected state he triggered during today's match against Yamarashi Industrial.
...
The next day.
The Senkoku team arrived at the venue early.
Every member of the Senkoku team was holding their breath in anticipation of today's match.
The venue felt somewhat empty, as there were only two matches scheduled for the entire day: [Senkoku Middle School vs. Kitagawa Daiichi] and [Kōsen Academy vs. Chisei Middle School].
However, despite the sparse courts, the number of spectators was significantly higher than before.
After all, this was the semi-final stage. Even if the middle school tournament didn't garner as much attention as high school, a few spectators and even reporters were interested at this point.
The first match to be played was [Senkoku Middle School vs. Kitagawa Daiichi].
As the two teams entered from their respective tunnels, an air of tension already began to permeate the atmosphere before the match even started.
"Please treat us kindly."
"Please treat us kindly."
Both sides warmed up, exchanged bows afterward, and the match officially began.
Few of the spectators present likely knew the history between Senkoku and Kitagawa Daiichi. After all, they had met in the Round of 16 in the Prefectural tournament.
At that time, neither the Senkoku team itself nor the stage of the competition was particularly noteworthy.
However, just because others didn't know didn't mean the two teams were oblivious.
There was no need to elaborate on the Senkoku side.
To prepare for Senkoku, Kitagawa Daiichi had done a considerable amount of preparation recently. The more they studied Senkoku, the more the Kitagawa Daiichi players felt the terror of the current Senkoku team.
The first set commenced.
Senkoku served first.
To counter Kitagawa Daiichi, Shimokawa Sando did not use the same opening strategy he used against Yamarashi Industrial.
Kitagawa Daiichi's defense was far more stable than Yamarashi Industrial's. If Akashi served the first ball and failed to score, he would be relegated to the backcourt, and Senkoku could easily fall into a disadvantage early on.
Therefore, they chose to let Ota Miki open with the first serve.
Kitagawa Daiichi's Libero steadily received the serve. In the next moment, Kitagawa Daiichi's Kindaichi and Kunimi in the front row, and their number one Ace in the back row, all leaped at the exact same moment.
A synchronized attack on the first tempo.
The Senkoku blockers, faced with multiple silhouettes, were involuntarily unsettled. Even Akashi couldn't predict Kageyama Tobio's set.
By the time the Senkoku blockers reacted, the volleyball had already landed within their court.
BEEP!
0:1.
The referee blew the whistle, announcing Kitagawa Daiichi's score.
"Damn it!"
Omae Masato clenched his fist in frustration.
The serve switched.
Kitagawa Daiichi's Kunimi served after the rotation. The volleyball landed in the Senkoku court, was received by Ota Miki, and the setter immediately passed the ball to Akashi.
Compared to Kitagawa Daiichi's varied tactics, Senkoku's offensive intent was incredibly obvious. Even before Akashi spiked, the opposing blockers were already in position.
But in the next second—
Akashi leaped, facing the opposing blocker Kindaichi directly, and swung his arm without hesitation.
BAM!
A sound far louder than any previous spike exploded in the air. The launched volleyball collided head-on with Kindaichi's forearm, then irresistibly burst through the resistance...