The score was now Veterans 2:3 First-Years.
In the lightning-fast exchange of offense and defense, the ball possession shifted once more.
Yudai Hyakuzawa, using his absolute height advantage, executed a short, sharp attack that few could hope to reach. The ball was smashed down for a kill before the set had even reached its highest point.
For the veteran team, this was a significant psychological shock. Facing such a towering giant, the average height of their players barely reaching 170 cm,
breaking through his block wasn't too difficult…
They all knew that Hyakuzawa's speed wasn't extraordinary, and with tactical sets, they could effectively crack through the first-years' ironclad defense.
But how could they defend against him?
"Let's try a soft block," Takinoue Yusuke said, voicing his thoughts. Shimada Makoto immediately nodded in agreement.
From the last few rallies, these two veterans realized that with their physical limitations, a hard block alone could never stop Hyakuzawa.
If we had a player around 1.9 meters tall, then maybe a kill block would be possible…
Currently, their tallest player is Azumane Asahi at 1.86 meters.
Just in terms of height, there was a 15 cm gap, and the taller the player, the greater the wingspan advantage.
Even factoring in reach, their maximum block height might still not be enough to stop Hyakuzawa's wild swings.
But with a soft block, and the stable reception abilities of the upperclassmen, combined with the two strongest receivers handling the first pass, we can match Hyakuzawa's spikes with strong team defense.
"Impressive. The seniors already found a way to counter Hyakuzawa so quickly," Hoshino Katsuri observed blankly from the sideline, understanding exactly what they were thinking.
Of course. We've faced this tactic countless times back in Junior High.
On the first-years' side, Hoshino was smiling as he whispered something to Hyakuzawa. Hoshino couldn't help but let a faint smile tug at his lips.
Together with Hyakuzawa, they're saying in unison: 'If they use team defense, we'll use team offense.'
The ball changed possession again, and Hyakuzawa, fresh off his successful kill, stepped up to the serving area. His large hands wrapped around the volleyball, feeling its texture and bounce.
"Watch out!"
Daichi Sawamura shouted, warning his teammates to stay alert and prepare for any angle of serve.
The team assumed their defensive positions immediately.
Yet when the referee's whistle blew, Hyakuzawa seemed oblivious, continuing to caress the ball, ignoring the sound entirely.
Seconds ticked by.
For the veteran players, these few seconds felt strangely long. Their attention and heightened neural response times made each moment feel stretched.
Then suddenly, the two-meter giant launched the ball high into the air, stepping forward with long, sturdy strides.
Four steps took him right to the edge of the court. His takeoff looked clumsy from the spectators' perspective, not particularly fast, but
It was precisely this slower rhythm that allowed the power from his massive legs to flow perfectly through his entire body, delivering minimal energy loss while transferring maximum force.
With a swing of his arm, Hyakuzawa unleashed a spike with a flightiness no other tall player possessed.
For the defenders, it was a blur. Their eyes couldn't track the ball, and BOOM, it slammed into the floor before anyone could react.
Kinoshita Hisashi, watching as the "observer," noted the ball went out of bounds. Point to the veteran team.
"Lucky! Lucky!"
Shimada, standing in the back row, muttered one of the most common phrases in volleyball to cover his own panic.
Not good… What was that just now?
Even a two-meter guy's serve can be that scary?
The senior players maintained calm faces, but inside, their hearts raced. They didn't voice their thoughts for fear of demoralizing their teammates.
But some teammates didn't hold back.
Takinoue Yusuke muttered grimly, "That serve was strong… Luckily it went out. There's no way we could've received that."
His words froze the veterans who had been pretending to stay relaxed.
"You just… have no sense of timing when you speak, huh?!"
Still, the senior Karasuno players weren't intimidated.
Sawamura Daichi and Sugawara Koushi both wore expressions of habitual calm.
"Well, I've thought about it before. If the older cousin's serve is that strong, the younger cousin can't be completely useless, right?"
"Yeah, it seems like Hyakuzawa has been waiting for us here all along."
Nishinoya Yuu, always fiery, had his eyes blazing with burning spirit, fully ready.
"Oh!!"
"Anti-air cannon?!"
"Bring it on! I'll show you I can receive it!"
Even Azumane Asahi, who usually panicked easily, remained completely solemn.
No other thoughts, no distractions.
I won't run away anymore. Even if I lose and my teammates can't step on the court in their graduating year…
This will be our final match together.
I'll fight with them until the very last moment.
At that thought, Azumane's nose tingled slightly, emotion threatening to well up.
Daichi Sawamura and Sugawara Koushi, who had spent two years with him, immediately sensed the change.
They exchanged a glance, assessing their former ace.
This guy's getting all emotional on himself.
Yeah… probably imagining some touching scene or outcome.
Even if it's heartwarming, I still want to tease him.
Nah, we're finally back on the court. Let him play this match first.
"Yeah."
Sugawara's gaze silently told Daichi he understood. Daichi returned the look with a nod.
Two third-years, conveying their thoughts about Azumane without a single word.
Years of friendship, brutally honest and effortless.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria