A Lopsided Match
"It's over, Akashi has gone mad!"
This was the second set of the National Qualifiers Final, [Senkoku Middle School vs. Kōsen Academy].
In the first set, after Akashi started with five consecutive points and crushed Kōsen Academy's morale, Kōsen failed to stage a comeback by the end of the set, and Senkoku secured the first set.
In the second set, Akashi did not have the same incredible serving rhythm he had at the start of the first set.
But... Akashi's performance in this set was clearly more terrifying to the Kōsen players.
In fact, it wasn't just the Kōsen Academy players; even Akashi's own teammates were unnerved by his performance, wondering if Akashi was under too much stress today.
The way he was playing showed a distinct lack of mercy.
...
BAM!
Thirteen minutes into the second set.
Mishita Ryuhei set a high ball to Akashi. Kōsen Academy instantly formed a triple block in front: two Middle Blockers at 188 \text{ cm} and a Wing Spiker over 185 \text{ cm}. This block was less like a wall and more like a massive mountain standing in their way.
Even with Akashi's current maximum hitting point of 340 \text{ cm}, it was difficult to leap directly over this peak.
Yet, in the next second, the three Kōsen blockers saw only a flash of a blur. A diagonal shot grazed almost the very edge of the right-side blocker's wrist. By the time they realized what happened, the volleyball had already landed on the floor behind them.
Their Libero scrambled to reach it, but the result was the same as their block—he was always just a fraction of an inch too short.
Undoubtedly, even from the opponent's perspective, this was a near-perfect diagonal shot.
And this was already the fifth perfect diagonal shot struck by that detestable Ace in the second set. Additionally, there were three straight shots that hugged the sideline tightly.
In other words, the opposing Ace alone had already scored eight points against them in the second set.
And this didn't even include his serving points.
This could no longer be explained away by a simple "peak performance."
"This guy is an absolute monster!"
The Kōsen players panted heavily, cursing internally.
The number on the scoreboard changed again.
16:12.
On the sidelines, the Kōsen coach's eyebrows were furrowed into a deep frown.
Before the match began, he never expected they would be so unlucky this year as to run into a 'monster' experiencing a "peak performance."
The Kōsen coach had played in the V3 League when he was younger, so he knew exactly how terrifying a super-Ace in top form could be.
It was a level that no tactic or strategy could contain.
The only way to deal with it was to stall for time and wait for the opponent's 'State' to naturally fade. Fortunately, the finals were best-of-five sets; otherwise, facing a monster like this, Kōsen would have no hope whatsoever this year.
The Kōsen coach's strategy was not fundamentally flawed.
Except for one thing.
The Akashi in the second set was not entirely operating on "peak performance."
The reason for this display was simply that one of his stats had achieved a small breakthrough after his solo training the previous afternoon.
Host: Akashi Asuka
* 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 Fitness 77]
* Jumping: 77.8 [Jump 79.5, Hang Time 76.1]
* Fundamental Technique: 73.3 [Serve 74.3, Receive 72.1, Set 65.8, Spike 80, Block 76, Defense 72.1]
* Advanced Technique: [Diagonal Spike 75], [Straight Spike 75], [Power Jump Serve 75.5]
When not in a tournament, Akashi's training plan was generally focused on "reinforcing strengths and comprehensive development."
However, during a major tournament, Akashi rarely engaged in comprehensive basic training. Instead, he would focus his specialized training on a single technique or physical attribute.
During the entire month or so of the National Qualifiers, Akashi's main focus had been on strengthening his spiking technique.
Hard work paid off.
Just yesterday, after he finished discussing his dreams with his teammates and secretly got in extra practice at home, Akashi's Diagonal Spike and Straight Spike techniques finally broke past the 75 threshold simultaneously.
Furthermore, his basic Spike attribute also reached the 80 mark.
The result of this was that Akashi's offensive capability had escalated yet another notch.
This was the key reason he was able to continuously use both spiking types today to crush Kōsen Academy's powerful block.
...
"Ota, give us a good serve!"
Ota Miki served the ball over the net. The Kōsen Academy captain/opposite hitter in Position 1 received it, and they quickly organized an attack.
Kōsen's strength lay in their blocking, but their offensive capabilities were also substantial. While the original story heavily emphasized the idea that shorter players could also play volleyball, the advantage that height provides in this sport is simply too great.
The spiking techniques of Kōsen Academy's Wing Spiker and both Middle Blockers clearly couldn't compare to Akashi's.
However, as long as the Kōsen setter could set the ball to the maximum hitting point of their spikers, Senkoku essentially had no block that could stop their attack.
Omae Masato and Kazama Juujirou were out of the question.
Given their height and jumping ability, facing an opponent like this meant they would be consistently 'Out-Reached'.
Akashi did have the conditions to block, but unfortunately, he was only one person. Furthermore, the primary requirement for blocking is height; jumping power is secondary.
After all, reaching the peak height takes time.
Therefore, facing Kōsen's offense, Senkoku had essentially given up on block defense and shifted more of their resources toward receiving.
SMACK!
Akashi sealed off Kōsen Academy's diagonal attack, forcing the Kōsen Wing Spiker to opt for a straight shot down the middle of the court.
The Kōsen Wing Spiker's straight shot couldn't compare to Akashi's, but its power was still considerable. Not many Senkoku players could successfully receive a ball like that.
This time, however, Kurata surprisingly managed to track the spike path and, with considerable effort, knocked the volleyball back into the air.
"Great receive, Kurata!"
Mishita Ryuhei yelled and decisively organized an attack.
The ball was set toward the net. Kōsen's three front-row blockers instantly converged in front of Akashi. Akashi leaped high to face the three of them, then swung his arm with full force...
WHOOSH!
A gentle breeze swept past... the ball was gone.
"Oh no!"
The three Kōsen blockers immediately realized that Akashi's attack was a feint.
But it was too late.
THUD.
While the three of them were still suspended in the air, Omae Masato, facing an open court on the other side of the block, spiked the ball directly for the score...