Bang!
Clap!
Two sharp sounds hit like a blow to the hearts of everyone on Aoba Johsai. In a flash, the volleyball bounced back to their court, causing their pupils to shrink in shock.
"Wait… it got blocked?"
Akashi Asuka's eyes narrowed sharply mid-air.
It wasn't that Akashi's spikes had never been defended in the national tournament, that would be impossible.
But usually, opposing teams try to block Akashi by forming obstacles at the net combined with backcourt defense, limiting his spike angles indirectly.
Mujinazaka High, however, was the first to block Akashi's spike head-on.
["Blocked!"]
["Aoba Johsai's ace, first-year Akashi Asuka, has been completely shut down for the first time this tournament. The blocker was none other than Unnan Keisuke, Mujinazaka's No. 4 middle blocker and one half of the 'Mujinazaka Twin Towers.' Alongside No. 2 middle blocker Nozomu, they form Mujinazaka's two solid blocking walls."]
A gasp rose from the crowd.
The opening spike blocked, that was never a good sign.
Everyone from Aoba Johsai hurried over, worried Akashi might be shaken by the block.
"Hey! Akashi, you okay?"
"I'm fine! Just got blocked once. I'll find another chance to score on the next ball–" Akashi shook his head, clearly unbothered.
He wasn't a god, being blocked was inevitable. It might sting, but it wouldn't break his mindset.
Seeing Akashi was okay, the others relaxed.
"Sorry, I passed it a bit low just now–" said Oikawa Tooru.
"No, no matter the height, the outcome wouldn't have changed. Mujinazaka clearly studied our plays well enough to predict the attack route on the very first ball–" Akashi replied calmly.
"Also, those two middle blockers from Mujinazaka are no joke. Their height and reflexes are excellent. Whether the spike is straight or angled, they can shut it down directly. To win, we must not only defend Wakatsu's heavy spikes but also handle their two formidable middle blockers."
There are different types of blocking. Although Aoba Johsai's players are skilled blockers, most use "technical blocking", a tactic to disrupt opponents' attack lines and buy time for backcourt defenders.
But Yutaro Kindaichi and Akashi use direct blocking, aiming to completely stop the opponent's spike at the net, which requires superior athleticism.
Generally, unless a player has Akashi's jumping ability, it's nearly impossible to form a perfect direct block without being at least 190 cm tall.
Hearing this, Oikawa's face gradually twisted into a grim expression.
Wakatsu alone was already tough enough, now add two middle blockers who can even block Akashi, and this opponent felt hopeless.
The score: 0-2.
Aoba Johsai was already down by two points just after the start.
The match continued.
Mujinazaka served the third ball, but Oikawa baited Akashi and successfully combined with Kindaichi on a quick set play, securing Aoba Johsai's first point.
2-1.
At the next serve, it was finally Oikawa's turn to serve.
Unlike the frontcourt talents Wakatsu and the Twin Towers, Mujinazaka's backcourt defenders were more like Fukurodani, solid but less flashy. However, unlike Fukurodani, Mujinazaka had a designated opposite hitter.
Possibly because most high school teams dislike the opposite hitter role, Akashi rarely saw official opposites on opposing teams; usually, the second main spiker filled that spot.
Mujinazaka's lineup was textbook: one main spiker, one setter, two middle blockers, one opposite hitter, and one libero.
A flawless formation.
No wonder Akashi found Mujinazaka so "professional" at the start.
Even compared to Fukurodani, Mujinazaka's overall team composition was fundamentally different.
Despite two serves from Oikawa, Aoba Johsai failed to score a direct point.
The first serve was received by Mujinazaka's No. 7 opposite hitter, Ezota.
Probably due to the extreme speed, the reception wasn't perfect, causing the ball to bounce back to Aoba Johsai, where Akashi slammed it back.
2-2.
The score was tied.
After Oikawa's second serve, the No. 7 opposite adjusted and successfully received again, still imperfectly, so the setter couldn't deliver a perfect pass to Wakatsu.
But even from a poor pass barely over the net, Wakatsu jumped and smashed an insanely powerful spike to win the point.
The crowd outside the court gasped repeatedly…
["Amazing!"]
["That's why they call Wakatsu the 'bad ball killer', he can turn any pass into a scoring spike. That's what a top-three power ace looks like."]
["Mr. Oda, what do you think of that hit?"]
["Hmm! Quite clever! Did you notice Wakatsu only took one step before his jump? That lowers his jump height, but it perfectly matches the poor pass, allowing him to still hit a heavy spike from a low position."]
["Of course, we don't recommend others copy Wakatsu's style unless you first build a body as strong as his! (laughs)"]
"Woooooo!"
"Wakatsu! Wakatsu! Great hit… Wakatsu! One more!"
Mujinazaka's cheers thundered through the stadium.
As the crowd roared, Wakatsu slowly approached the service area at position 1.
Aoba Johsai's players immediately raised their guard.
Then the next second,
A familiar thunderous crack sounded, followed by a cannonball flying straight at them…
==========
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