Chapter 75: Training x News About Nekoma x Worries
During club activity time, thanks to Karasuno recently receiving a large donation and some educational funding, the entire school's club activity budgets had increased considerably.
The most notable beneficiary was the volleyball club. Besides having a gymnasium specifically designated for volleyball club activities already under construction, there had been significant growth in club assets.
However, the way the growth occurred was a bit different, so other clubs didn't show any signs of jealousy.
Because what the volleyball club received the most of wasn't cash, but donations of training equipment. Although the volleyball club's equipment might be worth much more than other clubs' activity budgets when converted to cash, it wasn't freely disposable funding after all.
The equipment included but wasn't limited to: reaction nerve training targets, smart positioning high-speed serving machines, passing impact boards with swing arms, basic strength training equipment, and some specialized volleyball functional training equipment.
After seeing these training machines, both Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shoyo rarely showed the same expression on their faces - one of anticipation, excitement, and eagerness to try.
"Hinata aside, I didn't expect Kageyama to show that kind of expression."
"Yeah, I thought Kageyama would prefer traditional volleyball training methods like an ascetic monk."
"Eh, now that you mention it, I get that feeling too. Like those unscientific trainers from the Eyeshield 21 Devil Bats?"
Once again, Tanaka, Sugawara, and Sawamura Daichi were discussing what kind of training methods Kageyama Tobio would seem to prefer.
Kageyama Tobio, with his keen hearing, overheard this and, being extremely serious about volleyball, joined the conversation this time. He looked seriously at the three senpai and said:
"That's not it. What I personally like are training methods that can most effectively improve volleyball technique."
"Whether it's traditional or advanced, I don't mind. What I care most about is whether it's effective and whether there are injury risks."
Sawamura Daichi, who was chatting casually with his teammates, was startled by Kageyama Tobio's sudden seriousness. He was stunned for a moment until Sugawara poked him from the side, prompting him to quickly answer Kageyama.
"Oh!"
"I-I see, hahaha, Kageyama, you really do love volleyball."
"Yes!"
After the senpai understood his views on volleyball training, he nodded to them and continued running over to explore the usage of these training equipment with Hinata Shoyo.
Nishinoya Yu also went to check out these very fresh gadgets, paying special attention to the high-speed serving machine. He first carefully examined the operation screen, discovered it was touchscreen controlled and very easy to use.
Then he began trying to serve, and when he discovered that this machine could randomly perform high-speed serves within a set range.
Nishinoya Yu jumped down directly from the control panel and said to Ichise Guren, who was more familiar with the machines:
"Guren!"
"If I put a board in front of this serving machine, wouldn't I be able to simulate the ball trajectory after a spike gets blocked?"
Ichise Guren, instantly understanding what kind of training Nishinoya Yu wanted to do, hadn't expected that this seemingly carefree senpai would be so concerned about the iron wall blocking that the ace who hadn't yet returned to the team had encountered in the last Spring Tournament.
He nodded accordingly.
"Yeah! I know what training Nishinoya-senpai wants to do. Masaru has done similar training before. You can ask him about it - that board he made himself should still be at his house."
"Oh! As expected of a libero, thinking the same as me."
So Nishinoya Yu, with his action points maxed out, energetically went to find that half-dead libero kohai on the sidelines.
After that, Ichise Guren began guest-starring as a trainer. Everyone on the team with training needs would consult him about how to train, which machine would be most effective, and what to pay attention to during training.
Among them, Sawamura Daichi and the two liberos focused more on receiving training, while Kageyama Tobio and Sugawara Koshi had a great time playing with the passing-through-holes device.
Hyakuzawa Yudai and Hinata Shoyo were more worry-free. Having already experienced similar equipment at Yukigaoka, they quickly familiarized themselves with the upgraded versions of the machines.
Plus, being quite clear about their own advantages, the two quickly began their own training without needing additional guidance from Ichise Guren.
Other team members followed suit and started doing their preferred training projects, with Tanaka Ryunosuke being the most worry-free.
He didn't mess with those training equipment that looked troublesome, but instead found the training apparatus that were already in the gym and began frantically working on his strength.
Light weights, high frequency, fast pace - training the muscle groups specialized for his forte: spiking.
Ichise Guren was doing his own specialized functional training next to the strength area where Tanaka was. After training for a while, Tanaka couldn't help but ask:
"Ichise, why don't you train strength?"
"Look at your build - you're too thin. How can you be a wing spiker?"
Upon hearing this, Ichise Guren stopped his double-rope jumping, wiped his sweat, and looked at Tanaka Ryunosuke:
"I do train, Tanaka-senpai."
"I just intentionally control my training methods so I don't build up the muscle mass in my upper body."
"Upper body weight would reduce my jumping height and increase pressure on bones, joints, and ligaments when landing."
"I'm not pursuing the spiking power that breaks through everything with force, but rather absolute height that can ignore blocking defense."
.....
While the team members were enthusiastically training or chatting, Takeda-sensei, wearing his eternal grass-colored jacket, jogged to the gymnasium entrance and cheerfully announced to everyone that there would be training camp during Golden Week.
And on the last day of the training camp, there would be a practice match against that traditional rival school from Tokyo - the one with the "Battle at the Garbage Dump" promise with Karasuno.
Everyone was very happy to hear this news, but Sawamura Daichi and Sugawara Koshi were somewhat worried - not because Nishinoya Yu wouldn't participate in this practice match, but because of the starting lineup.
Because although Ichise Guren had voluntarily withdrawn from the starting lineup during the last practice match against Aoba Johsai, if Ichise Guren didn't withdraw this time...
Then between Hyakuzawa Yudai and Tanaka Ryunosuke, they would need to choose one starter and one substitute. On one side was a two-meter traditional middle blocker who was excellent in both offense and defense at the net, and also had good receiving skills. Unless it was serves at the level of Oikawa Toru - the strongest in Miyagi Prefecture - other serves wouldn't make Hyakuzawa Yudai a receiving weak point for Karasuno.
On the other side was someone who had fought alongside them for a year with deep bonds, and who could always inspire teammates on court with full fighting spirit - their charging captain. Although his defensive receiving range might not be as wide as Hyakuzawa Yudai's, Tanaka Ryunosuke's excellent athletic reflexes and physical condition could also create some spectacular saves.
Takeda-sensei also noticed the two third-years' worries. After announcing this news, he pulled the two aside.
"I know what you're worried about, it's okay!"
"With this news about Nekoma, I might be able to invite that coach!"
"Besides, worrying about not knowing who to choose for the starting lineup is also a happy worry - don't be so anxious!"
Looking at Takeda-sensei's smile and the determined light flickering in his eyes, both Sugawara and Sawamura's worries were considerably relieved.
When the two regained their spirits and shouted for everyone to train even harder, Takeda-sensei also began silently organizing provocative words in his mind.
***
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