Hoshinoya delivered another high-quality spike, but unfortunately, it was touched by Suna.
Touch!
“I've got it!”
Hinata's voice rang out, after lowering his center of gravity, he received the slightly floating ball steadily.
"Nice play!" Miya Atsumu shouted before jumping in place, preparing to set the ball.
Four spikers rushed forward almost simultaneously, creating distance between them before taking their approach jumps in succession.
Miya Atsumu's movement was quite deceptive, this time it was a play featuring three quick attacks and one Ace's powerful spike, providing extremely high overall cover.
Ichibayashi's block didn't dare to make a prediction in advance.
Throughout this set, even if they saw Miya Atsumu's intentional movements, they would still have to wonder if it was just a feint.
Under the cover of Miya Osamu's quick attack, Miya Atsumu delivered a back set to behind Position 2.
Ichibayashi's libero, Nasu, was positioned in the center, giving Inarizaki the best opportunity for a kill.
Shoyo leaped near the antenna and spiked the ball straight down, a line shot that crashed into the center of Ichibayashi's court.
The referee signaled the ball was in, Inarizaki scored.
The score jumped to Inarizaki 30:29 Ichibayashi.
The assistant coach couldn't help but marvel, "His overall coordination is truly incredible."
Even looking at the entire Japanese professional scene today, it is rare to find any setter who can achieve this level.
Not to mention Miya Atsumu is only 17 years old this year; to possess this kind of setting ability, he could truly be described as "mature beyond his years."
Coach Unabara stood with his hands on his hips, unable to suppress the smile on his face.
“He will surely carry the weight of an entire era on his shoulders.”
Lead this era toward an even further future, go see the landscapes he has never even seen.
But speaking of which.
Why does Ichibayashi's play always give off such a Men's Volleyball Brazil vibe..
This setter's style of play, as well as the Ace's own attacking style, are very similar.
It was just that the First Receive was a bit lacking, which directly prevented the Setter from providing even more spectacular attacks.
Especially that last counterattack, it was extreme.
Wiping his nose, Kuroe Kao turned his gaze toward Miya Atsumu, who was preparing to serve on the opposite side.
A whole rotation had passed since they first entered a stalemate, after weathering wave after wave of attacks from Inarizaki, they were facing Miya Atsumu's terrifying service turn once again.
But.. there was nothing to be afraid of.
"I've got it!" Nasu shouted, once again choosing to go for a diving save to ensure the most basic first receive.
Hinata glanced at Hoshinoya, who was adjusting his position on the opposite side in preparation for an attack, imperceptibly shifted two steps backward.
After filling the gap in the block and supporting Akagi's successful defense, he took a running start from his original position toward the edge of Position 2.
Hoshinoya from the opposing side chased after it at the same time.
As Hoshinoya and Rei both pressed down at the same time, Hinata gave the ball a light tap, tipping it over the block.
This ball was very close to the block, very close to the sideline.
Even if Ichibayashi protected the Ace well, it wouldn't change the fact that he would have to receive the ball himself when it was close to the block.
After all, there was a high possibility that the other players in the back row would collide and get injured if they rushed in.
The moment Hoshinoya reacted, he reached out to try and save it, but he, who rarely performed such front-court saves after a block, missed the ball completely.
The ball hit the sideline, the referee immediately signaled it in bounds, making the Inarizaki score valid.
The whistle blew, announcing Inarizaki's victory in the First Set.
The score ended at 31:29.
Hinata blinked. He had originally only intended to force Hoshinoya-senpai to receive the ball to disrupt Ichibayashi's subsequent attack.
Although it was a bit different from what he had anticipated, but..
Hinata raised his hands: "We scored! Yay!"
Chapter 209: The Two Hundred and Ninth Fox
Returning to the side of the Coach's bench, Hinata approached Coach Kurosu, his face full of regret.
Damn it, I just started to find my rhythm.
He had just wanted to test if his idea would work, but he didn't expect Hoshinoya-senpai to fail to receive it completely.
But scoring directly did indeed eliminate the possibility of the match dragging on.
After such a long set, even he could feel a heavy sense of exhaustion.
Coach Kurosu reached out and patted Hinata's back: "Don't lose heart, there will be more opportunities later."
Hinata bit his lip and gave a soft hum of agreement.
But he knew that he likely wouldn't get another chance like this later.
His intention just now was a bit too obvious; Kuroe-senpai and the others have probably already guessed how he's going to play.
Did that Little One just aim a tip toward Akiteru's position?
Kuroe Kao looked at Ouji Son, seeking confirmation.
Ouji Son nodded. "Yeah, they're trying to limit the offense with this targeted spike style. It's a classic Inarizaki tactic, though they used it more on the setter before."
“But none of that matters.. Hanahana, is your hand alright?”
Everyone looked at Kuroe Kao at the same time, trying to catch a glimpse of any discomfort hidden beneath his calm expression.
Kuroe Kao waved it off. "It's nothing, it's nothing. Didn't you injure your finger before as well?"
Ouji Son, who was usually frivolous, looked very serious at this moment. "This is different."
Could his fingers and Kuroe Kao's fingers ever be the same?
Those were the fingers of a Setter, important not only for this match, but equally important for Kuroe Kao's future life as well.
"It's really fine, I know what I'm doing." Kuroe Kao waved her hand at him, showing off her still-flexible hands.
Seeing that he couldn't argue with Kuroe Kao, Ouji Son could only roll his eyes: "Watch out, or Coach Kurosu will come back and scold you."
Nasu blinked. "But Kuroe-senpai is graduating soon, right? Will she even be able to scold him anymore?"
Once the Third Year seniors go back, they'll have to start preparing for their entrance exams, they probably won't even have the chance to meet again after they graduate, not to mention their coach is already quite elusive himself.
Ouji Son pointed his two fingers at his team's Ace and Setter: "What are you thinking? Coach said he's going to take those two away; Flower will never escape this for the rest of his life."
This time, it was Rei who lost his composure: "Are they really leaving!"
Kuroe Kao nodded: "Of course, development will be better over there; if there are channels, you must seize them."
Ouji Son rolled his eyes again. "I'm going to report you as soon as the coach gets back. We'll have high-definition match footage anyway, so you won't be able to escape."
Kuroe Kao protested, "Don't sell me out!"
Although he spoke lightly, he was truly afraid; he didn't want to be forced into practicing blocking for several months once his injury had healed!
Hoshinoya, who had been forced to practice landing safely after three months of intense spiking drills following IH, said nothing.
Kuroe Kao smiled, shifting the heat of the battle: "Osamu, give me some good tosses."
Nasu shrank his neck: "I'll try."
He couldn't do it; he really couldn't do it.
If he actually had that kind of talent, he wouldn't drive the coach to the point of wanting to bang his head against a wall.
On the Inarizaki side, Coach Kurosu was making adjustments: "Ichibayashi will start the Second Set. Make sure the first receive in the opening is as stable as possible; don't let it fly."
Osamu won't play the Second Set. Shinsuke will go up to stabilize the early stages; even if he gets outplayed by the opponents, he must try his best to keep the score difference within two points.
Kita Shinsuke and Miya Osamu nodded at the same time: "Understood."
Miya Atsumu made a peace sign behind his back.
Great, that annoying guy has finally left, so he can celebrate however he wants!
Coach Kurosu continued, "Ichibayashi's complete reliance on an Ace core style isn't sustainable, their setter's condition is also declining. If we can drag the Second Set out to the end, we win."
The First Set unexpectedly lasted nearly half a set of extra play, with the constant coordination required, Miya Osamu's stamina had also basically bottomed out.
The first things to be affected by declining stamina are the quality of the spikes and the reaction speed for saves; in this situation, it would be better to use Kita Shinsuke to provide some protection.
Moreover, for teams with similar skill levels that are equally proficient in strong attacks, being able to secure the initial service turn can essentially lay the foundation for an early victory.
In the last set, they relied on the points Miya Atsumu scored from his serves at the beginning to drag the game out until the end, even then, they were almost overtaken by the opponents.
Hinata suddenly raised his hand at that moment: "Coach, can I play the Ace position in the Second Set?"
Aran froze for a moment, then quickly realized what Hinata meant.
Indeed.. that would be very feasible in this situation.
Coach Kurosu thought seriously for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "Alright, then Shoyo will play as the Opposite, Kita will cover the Right Wing defense."
If anything, this adjustment was the most suitable.
Although a defensive-oriented Opposite can indeed ensure that the Left Wing's attack proceeds smoothly.
But when playing against a team like Ichibayashi, it is better to focus on ensuring the offensive intensity of the entire Left Wing.
With Aran and Shoyo standing next to each other, they can produce an explosive offensive effect in a short amount of time.
If we are lucky, we might even be able to take the lead right at the opening.
Coach Kurosu looked toward his guardian deity: "Then we'll have to trouble Michinari on the Left Wing."
Akagi patted his chest: "Leave it to me!"