This Third Year Ace, who hadn't truly exerted himself all day, launched a torrential attack against Fukurodani right from the start.
Covered by Miya Osamu's quick attack on the other side, Aran took advantage of several opportunities to spike over the net, beautifully scoring several points for Inarizaki.
The service right passed to Washio Tatsuki, simultaneously signaling the end of Fukurodani's strongest offensive zone.
The scoreboard on the sidelines stopped at Fukurodani 18:20 Inarizaki.
During Fukurodani's entire period of dominance, they only managed to close the gap by a single point.
“What a great serve!”
Washio patted the ball in his hands, adjusting his touch.
The entire round of attacks just now left him physically and mentally exhausted; he simply couldn't imagine the immense pressure that a Bokuto, who was struggling just to survive, actually had to bear.
Because of Inarizaki's tight defensive blocking, his own scoring rate was actually higher than Bokuto's.
In this situation.. is there any way to change the circumstances?
—The only way is the serve.
Washio held the ball in his hands, waiting for the referee's whistle.
He had great confidence in his serve; he wouldn't get another chance to play this set, so he would pour everything he had into taking this point.
A heavy sound rang out as Washio poured all his remaining strength into the ball, smashing it with unerring precision toward Hinata in the back.
Hinata's pupils contracted sharply.
The ball was traveling too fast; he didn't have enough time to adjust his distance for a diving save.
He decisively raised his arm, using his forearm to block the ball, while simultaneously making use of the time to step back half a step, allowing himself to stabilize his center of gravity in a lunge.
The ball hit his arm, the immense force caused his mind to go blank for a moment.
But fortunately, he managed to pop the ball up accurately, he didn't fall.
"What a great first receive!!" Miya Atsumu was overcome with immense surprise.
The placement of this ball was indeed a bit off, but the height was nothing short of perfect.
To be able to stay steady after receiving such a Power Serve is just incredible!
Miya Atsumu quickly sent the ball toward Aran, who was jumping at Position 2, while Hinata, having just completed the first receive, also provided timely cover for a back-row attack.
Aran's spike scored with a line shot.
Inarizaki's score rose again, jumping to 18:21.
"Don't panic!" Coach Anromi said, trying to calm his players' emotions.
"Nice one, Shoyo!" Miya Atsumu raised his hand to high-five Hinata.
That first receive was beautiful; it directly crushed the opponent's best chance at scoring consecutive points.
Aran also high-fived the two players in succession, then walked toward the back to the service position while holding the ball.
Hinata cheered loudly for Aran: "Aran-senpai, hit a good one!"
After returning to the front row, he stood there quietly after shouting, his gaze fixed on the Fukurodani members on the opposite side.
Bokuto is currently in the back row, Washio-senpai has already left the court; this is the best interval for them to widen the score gap.
Coach Anromi shouted from the sidelines, "Defend! Don't lose your composure!"
There is no need to demand a powerful attack; it is enough just to hold the line.
If the opponent cannot score through repeated attacks, they will eventually make a mistake and give them an opportunity.
But.. can they really do it?
"I've got it!" Komi dove to save the ball Aran sent toward Bokuto.
Bokuto took advantage of the momentum and circled around from outside the court, attempting a back-row attack.
Right now, Bokuto's attack conditions are quite good; furthermore, Saru Yamato on the other side provided plenty of cover, Akaashi passed the ball over very decisively.
Bokuto's spike hit Oori Ren's hands, resulting in a touch.
"Touch!" Oori's steady and powerful voice rang in everyone's ears.
Akagi moved quickly to follow up with a set.
Everyone on the court except for the Libero and the Setter moved almost simultaneously, charging toward the net from all directions to attack.
Different spike timings, different approach timings, the setter becoming difficult to read under Oori's cover..
—There was simply no way to stop it.
Hinata's spike hit a sharp cross, sending the ball to the furthest possible point from the libero, Komi.
Komi felt a sense of despair.
Was Inarizaki going to score again and widen the score gap?
The sound of the body colliding with the ball rang out, but it wasn't as crisp as the sound of a ball hitting an arm; instead, it was much more muffled.
“Hey!”
Bokuto moved into position quickly, using his chest to forcefully pop the ball up.
Osa Noboru seized the opportunity, using his height advantage to spike the ball directly toward the Inarizaki back row the moment it flew in front of the net.
At this moment, the Inarizaki back row, with everyone launching an attack, had no one defending except for the Libero, Osamu specifically aimed this ball toward the corner.
The ball slammed into the floor, Fukurodani scored, breaking Inarizaki's service turn.
"Nice one, Bokuto!!" The Fukurodani members instantly erupted.
They saved it; they still have a chance!
Taking the volleyball thrown back by Akagi, Mokoba Akitsugu prepared to serve.
Glancing at the scoreboard showing Fukurodani 19:21 Inarizaki, he unconsciously pursed his lips.
To be honest, with the set nearing its end and only one rotation away from the Ace returning to the front row, he really shouldn't be nervous.
Maintaining the status quo until the Ace rotates to the front row to break the deadlock was not an impossible option.
But.. are you content with that?
The whistle sounded in his ears, the referee's signal for the serve.
Mokoba squeezed the volleyball in his hands.
Unwilling.
It's not like Fukurodani only has one living Ace; even though he's a bit lax in everything, he's not going to just sit there contentedly waiting for the Ace to save the world.
—That would be way too lame.
The jump float serve he attempted before was extremely ineffective, even a bit comical.
But.. it really is a wise choice to use a jump float serve to press the front row setter or spiker at a time like this.
Never mind, I'll try it one more time.
Having made up his mind, Mokoba Akitsugu adjusted his state slightly before tossing the ball into the air.
After a quick step forward, his palm struck the center of the ball.
The perfect contact point and correct force resulted in a jump float serve that was almost exactly as Mokoba had envisioned.
The ball hit the top of the net between Hinata and Miya Atsumu with precision, then cleared it after a brief pause.
Hinata and Miya Atsumu both reached for the ball almost at the same time, the two of them, unable to even call out, nearly collided with each other.
The ball hit Hinata's arm and then rolled out of the court.
Fukurodani scores consecutively.
"Hell yeah!!" Mokoba clenched his fists tightly.
This is what it means to truly redeem oneself!
He won back the point he had lost from a service error!
Hinata hurriedly apologized to Miya Atsumu: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Damn, he forgot to call it out again.
Miya Atsumu waved his hand and said nothing.
It wasn't Hinata's fault; he shouldn't have reached for that ball in the first place, his brain felt like it had turned to mush.
Having scored a point, Mokoba Akitsugu took advantage of the momentum and prepared for the second serve.
However, he wasn't so lucky this time; after the ball grazed the net, Miya Atsumu proactively stepped in to receive it, sending it directly into Hinata's hands at Position 4.
Before the Fukurodani members could even react, Hinata had already spiked the ball, sending it crashing down toward the sideline.
Mokoba dove for it, barely managing to touch the ball.
With a loud thud, the ball bounced high into the air, falling toward the area near the net.
From the back row, Bokuto called for the ball once again: "Akaashi!!"
His voice was still full of passion, giving all his teammates his strength.
Akaashi jumped in place, arching his back slightly, preparing to set the ball to Bokuto, who was positioned in the back-right to prepare for an attack.
But in the next second, he suddenly pulled back his hand from the side near the net, using his right hand to lightly tip the ball over the net.
Second Attack.
The Inarizaki members, who hadn't reacted to the block in time, suddenly looked grim.
Meanwhile, Miya Atsumu, who was closest, had already lunged sideways, reaching out his hand to save the ball.
With a soft sound of a touch, Miya Atsumu had already sent the volleyball flying.
After performing a diving save and putting all his effort into getting back up, Miya Atsumu shouted to Hinata in the front row, "Shoyo!"
He had already done his best to set the ball at a high enough height; at this level, Hinata would definitely have no problem with it.
Aran leaped with all his might from the back row and shouted, "Give me the ball!!"
He didn't need any high-difficulty sets; as long as Hinata sent the ball his way, he could spike it.