Both sides of players took their positions on either side of the net according to a prearranged lineup. Normally, a formal match would require submitting a lineup sheet to the referee.
But since this was just a practice match, no official lineup was prepared. The prearranged positions were treated as the submitted sheet.
First-Year Combined Team Lineup:
Front row: Tsukishima Kei, Yudai Hyakuzawa, Ichinose Guren.
Back row: Kageyama Tobio, Hinata Shoyo, Yamaguchi Tadashi.
Veteran Combined Team Lineup:
Front row: Azumane Asahi, Sugawara Koushi, Takinoue Yusuke (tall blonde from the electronics store).
Back row: Sawamura Daichi, Tanaka Ryunosuke, Nishinoya Yuu, Shimada Makoto
The veterans arranged a traditional lineup: outside hitter at position 4, setter at 3, middle blocker at 2.
Meanwhile, the first-years immediately set up the same iron-wall formation from the last "monster quick attack" battle. Three tall attackers would easily block most high-speed spikes at the net.
Takinoue Yusuke now stood as the veterans' setter, with Sugawara beside him.
This short-haired, scruffy blonde man had never joined a professional team after high school, but had maintained his athletic training. Tall and solidly built, he never feared opponents above 190 cm, always feeling a spark to surpass them.
But now… for the first time in his life, he was facing a player over two meters tall, eye to eye.
Even a complete rookie like Yudai Hyakuzawa, with no real volleyball skills, could deliver terrifying spikes and blocks purely with height and reach.
"Haa~"
Takinoue exhaled deeply, trying to steady his instinct to shrink back.
They look even taller up close…
Keishin just said he'd be coaching and needed us to help gauge the students' level…
He didn't mention there'd be a two-meter-tall 'giant'.
Clenching his jaw, Takinoue forced a strained smile and tried to sound tough.
"Big guy! You need to know, volleyball isn't just about being tall!"
"I'll show you how a middle blocker plays!"
Yudai looked up at the scruffy senior, interpreting the words as sincere advice rather than hostility.
Nodding seriously, the two-meter giant replied politely:
"Hi! I've known this for a while," he said.
"So I've been working hard to improve my skills."
"I look forward to learning from you, senpai!"
Takinoue, caught off guard by this polite response, could only stammer politely:
"Uh… okay! I'll teach you properly!"
Realizing his words had shifted from threatening to genuinely guiding, he slapped his forehead, sighed, and said:
"Alright then! I'll give it my all! Get ready, big guy!"
"Yes, senpai!"
Meanwhile, another graduate, Shimada Makoto, stood at the serving zone, slowly rotating the volleyball in his hands. He wasn't as tense as Karasuno's current upperclassmen, nor as serious as his teammates.
Adjusting his glasses, he glanced at the first-years. Aside from the libero and Hinata, they weren't short, they were actually tall, but their youthful faces made them seem less threatening.
Hm… serving aggressively might score points, but it won't show their real attacking strength. Better to hold back.
They just entered high school. Can't crush their confidence yet.
So Shimada opted for a regular jump serve, not his signature float jump serve.
The ball was easy for even barely passing libero Hinata to receive, giving a perfect pass to the setter.
A good pass gave the setter full tactical options. Relying on Hinata's pass, Kageyama could run any play he wanted.
For the first time working with Junior High championship-level attackers over 190 cm, he felt a rush of excitement.
I've never set to anyone over two meters before…
He delivered a high tactical set to Yudai Hyakuzawa, now running his approach.
The veteran middle blockers quickly marked the giant. Azumane and Sugawara combined efforts to block the slow yet clearly intended high ball.
But Yudai's two-meter height was no joke. With solid footing, BOOM, he jumped into the air.
His spike soared far above Takinoue's reach. The ball met their block attempts with a gap of almost 15 cm above their fingertips.
BOOM! The volleyball slammed down, like a cannon shot exploding in midair, creating the illusion of a shockwave.
The three blockers were stunned, but even more shocked were the first-years.
The massive spike had come unexpectedly from Yudai, who Kageyama barely reacted to from the back row. Despite his jump, the ball flew off his hands out of bounds due to sheer force.
Ukai and the watching neighborhood team nearly popped their eyes out.
"Are you kidding?! That spike was insane, sure, he's two meters tall… but what's up with the libero?!"
"He was in the back row just moments ago! He'd already moved up while watching the spike height of this two-meter freshman!"
"Judging by his previous defensive posture, he clearly hasn't played with this freshman before. I don't know the details, but this libero's level is absolutely national standard!"
"Keishin! How is your team even functioning? These two alone could take you to the semifinals!!!"
Ukai, briefly shocked by their analysis, quickly regained his composure. Maintaining the coach's authority, he cleared his throat.
"Don't be ridiculous. Semifinals aren't that easy. Do you know how many teams there are in Miyagi Prefecture?"
"If just one tall first-year and a quick-reacting libero could carry a team to the semis, how many semifinalists would there be?"
Seeing his friends' amused expressions, Ukai smiled wryly. His little scheme wasn't fooling these longtime friends.
"Well, that spike and reception were still pretty impressive."
"Tch, show-off…"
"Tch, show-off…"
"Hey! I'll kick you out of the gym if you keep mocking me!"
"Oh~ apologizing to Coach"
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria