Mishita Ryuhei didn't understand why the upperclassmen were celebrating so vigorously.
However, he was quite impressed by the third-years' skill.
The fact that they managed to receive Akashi's serve, losing only two points despite Akashi being in excellent form, was something Mishita Ryuhei had never encountered in middle school.
The score reached 3:2.
The serve returned to the White Team.
Even at the high school level, only a minority of players master the powerful jump serve. Firstly, practicing it is extremely difficult. Ordinary players exhaust their energy just training basic techniques, so they have no stamina left for extra practice.
Secondly, even professional volleyball players don't need to master every technique. Six individuals fulfill their respective roles, and only when combined do they form a complete team.
Six strong individuals only make the team stronger.
After a rotation, White Team's Hanamaki Takahiro moved to position one and delivered a steady overhand serve.
The ball's landing point was tricky, but this didn't bother Watari Shinji much. Unlike Akashi and the others, Watari Shinji was Seijoh's main Libero and knew his own players' serving patterns and psychology inside and out.
SMACK!
The ball was received. Mishita Ryuhei moved his feet, preparing to set, while his peripheral vision scanned the other side of the net.
The White Team's front-row block consisted of two players: Middle Blocker Matsukawa Issei (187 \text{ cm}) and Wing Spiker Iwaizumi Hajime (179.3 \text{ cm}).
In this situation, choosing the shorter Iwaizumi Hajime as the breakthrough point would undoubtedly be a good choice.
But the problem was, the Red Team's only front-row attacker was Kindaichi Yutaro. Could he really coordinate effectively with him?
Thoughts raced through his mind.
After a moment, Mishita Ryuhei chuckled: "Honestly, why am I overthinking this? I was never the type of setter who achieves great coordination with others! A normal setter like me only has one answer when facing difficulties."
WHOOSH!
Mishita Ryuhei feathered the ball with his fingertips, and the volleyball flew high.
The next moment, a tall figure suddenly leaped from the back row...
"Trying to attack from the back row? Rookie, you're too naive. Your setting intentions are too obvious!"
The moment the ball left Mishita Ryuhei's hands, Iwaizumi Hajime and Matsukawa Issei instantly moved to the ball's direct path, then jumped up, forming a high block.
But the next second, a fierce spike flew in with unstoppable momentum, directly pushing aside Iwaizumi Hajime's hands, penetrating the block, and scoring the point.
"Setting intentions?"
Mishita Ryuhei turned to face Iwaizumi Hajime and Matsukawa Issei, stating calmly: "My apologies, senpai. My Ace never needs such a disguise."
...
The Back-and-Forth
Time passed little by little.
The match between the two teams gradually intensified into a fierce battle.
This match against the Seijoh upperclassmen vaguely reminded Mishita Ryuhei and Akashi of their match against Kitagawa Daiichi in middle school.
Then, as now, it was a battle of offense and defense.
One team centered around its Ace Spiker, and the other around its Setter. Though their offensive styles differed, both displayed extremely high attacking power.
"Iwaizumi-chan!"
Oikawa Toru signaled a set to Iwaizumi Hajime. Iwaizumi Hajime jumped decisively, and the next second, the volleyball flew accurately to his optimal hitting point.
But just as Iwaizumi Hajime was about to swing his arm, a pair of arms suddenly appeared directly in front of him. The height of the block had completely exceeded his hitting point.
"Damn it..."
Iwaizumi Hajime's expression changed. In this critical moment, he instantly changed his spiking method, shifting from a power spike to a tool-out.
BAM!
The volleyball hit Kindaichi's arm and rebounded out of bounds.
White Team scores.
Score: 23:21.
"Nice job, Iwaizumi-chan!" Oikawa Toru ran over with open arms, ready to celebrate with Iwaizumi Hajime, but Iwaizumi Hajime had no time for him.
Iwaizumi Hajime looked at Kindaichi Yutaro on the opposite side, his expression growing serious.
Akashi's dazzling performance had previously made Iwaizumi Hajime neglect the performance of the other players on the Red Team. But Kindaichi's sudden appearance made Iwaizumi Hajime realize that, apart from the setter, the height of the other two blockers on the opposite side was surprisingly high.
...
"Sorry, I couldn't block him," Kindaichi Yutaro said, panting slightly, on the Red Team's side.
"It's alright, it's alright. You were so close. And we're still leading, so don't rush," Watari Shinji patted Kindaichi's shoulder, offering a comforting smile.
Watari Shinji was in an exceptionally good mood. Although he was slightly unhappy when he was initially assigned to the Red Team, Watari Shinji was now already planning how he would mock the upperclassmen for the next month.
The Seijoh traditional Initiation Match.
The Upperclassmen Team being thrashed by the Rookie Team would definitely be a first in the history of the Seijoh Volleyball Club.
In a sense, Akashi and Mishita Ryuhei had once again broken the historical record of a volleyball club.
Watari Shinji was even secretly relieved now, thinking he was lucky he hadn't been assigned to the Upperclassmen Team, or he might have been nailed to the "Pillar of Historical Shame" as well!
"Don't worry about it. We'll take that point right back," Mishita Ryuhei also patted Kindaichi's shoulder and said.
The White Team served.
Yahaba Shigeru delivered a simple overhand serve. The ball passed the net and was easily received by Watari Shinji, who passed it to Mishita Ryuhei.
Mishita Ryuhei barely hesitated before setting the ball above Akashi.
This completely uncovered attack infuriated Matsukawa Issei and Hanamaki Takahiro in the front row: "Damn you, first-year punk! Don't underestimate the skill of the third-years!"
Matsukawa Issei and Hanamaki Takahiro jumped up to block. Their heights were 187 \text{ cm} and 184 \text{ cm} respectively, making them among the tallest players on the Seijoh team.
As the two jumped into the air, their towering block completely sealed off Akashi's straight spike.
Akashi, in mid-air, initially intended to adjust and hit cross-court. However, at that moment, he suddenly spotted Oikawa Toru in the deep cross-court defense.
"A trap!"
Akashi was startled and immediately stopped the cross-court spike. In that split second, Akashi was suddenly inspired. Using his increasingly powerful hang time, he subtly adjusted his posture in the air and fiercely swung his arm directly into the block.
BAM!
An explosive sound.
The volleyball, carrying faint wisps of white air, zipped past the side of Hanamaki Takahiro's arm, passing through the block. It left a slightly curved trajectory in the air before landing straight onto the floor.
BEEP!
The referee's whistle sounded.
For a moment, the gym fell silent. The players from both teams looked simultaneously at the referee.
It wasn't until a few seconds later, when the referee's hand slowly pointed toward the Red Team, that the Red Team finally cheered in excitement.
24:21.
Match point for the Red Team.