As everyone outside had predicted, Matsukawa Tech was no match for Karasuno.
Even after changing tactics, they still couldn't avoid defeat!
In the end, the first set was lost under Kageyama's quick attack!
"Nice one, Akira!"
"I'm rooting for you!!"
As soon as the players returned to the rest area, they heard Bokuto shouting nonstop from outside the venue.
"That first set was amazing!"
"Keep it up! You're about to catch up to me!"
Beside him, Akaashi and the others covered their faces, clearly embarrassed by his volume.
"Hahaha! Thanks, Bokuto-senpai!"
"I'll definitely catch up to you!"
Akira also waved back at him with a grin.
During training camp, Bokuto had loved making these kinds of jokes with him.
Now, Akira was a little used to it.
"Hinata! You better keep up too!"
"Don't fall behind them!"
"Don't worry!"
…
"Haha! You can see it clearly now!"
"Everyone's fully adjusted to the match!"
Ukai smiled and said:
"Looks like we don't need to worry about their mentality anymore."
"But! There are still issues to fix!"
"In that last set, Kageyama and Tsukishima's blocking still needs work!"
"Especially against their number 6 attacker—he's good at targeting the gaps in your block!"
"So keep a close eye on that next set!"
"And…"
He continued to meticulously point out the remaining weaknesses.
Ever since his talk with his grandfather yesterday, Ukai had felt the pressure mounting.
On the phone, the old man's expectations were still incredibly high.
"If you can't get this team into the national top four…"
"Then don't go around telling people you're my grandson!"
"We're family—I can't afford to lose face!!"
That's why, after the team meeting last night, Ukai stayed up late in his room, poring over areas for improvement.
Only by getting stronger and facing tougher opponents could they gain more confidence!
…
Tweet!
With the referee's whistle, the second set between Karasuno and Matsukawa Tech was about to begin!
"Karasuno! Let's go!"
"Let's go!"
After giving each other a round of encouragement, the players stepped onto the court once more.
On the opposite side of the net, Matsukawa Tech looked energized and ready.
No one knew what adjustments they had made during the break.
But the Karasuno players believed:
As long as they were strong enough, no matter how the opponent changed—
Victory would still be theirs!
Tweet!
After switching courts, Matsukawa Tech got the first serve!
"Give us a good one, Nishikai!"
"Got it!"
As the team's most stable player, Nishikai's strengths lay mainly in defense.
Whether it was receiving or blocking, he always outshone others.
But when it came to serving, he wasn't quite as dazzling.
Thump!
A rather plain straight serve!
Its target—Karasuno's back row!
Slide!
Nishinoya caught it in a flash!
At that moment, Kageyama shot a glance toward Akira's position!
This movement was immediately noticed by the Matsukawa Tech players across the net.
It's him!
This set—it's going to Number 7, right?
After all, that glance must've been to confirm the set position!
So, with that in mind, Matsukawa's players instinctively stepped back together!
Akira's spike couldn't be stopped!
But just as the set reached Kageyama's hands, he used a concealed signal and sent the ball straight behind him!
At the same time—
Tsukishima leaped up from the rear!
Smack!
A quick attack from close range!
Before Matsukawa Tech could even react, Karasuno had scored!
"Oof!"
"Matsukawa Tech is totally stunned!"
"They really chose not to block…"
"I get it now! That's why they lost the last set!"
…
Some players watching from outside couldn't help but murmur among themselves.
To them, this was baffling!
Facing such a strong opponent—why would you give up on blocking??
Coincidentally, not far from where Nekoma and Fukurodani were seated, a nearby team had also started chatting.
"What a misstep! Seriously!"
"Matsukawa Tech actually isn't bad—why would they go with something like that?"
"No blocking? That's basically asking for holes in your defense!"
…
Their words made Kuroo and his group frown.
Because when they faced Karasuno, they had also tried not blocking.
"Idiots…"
"I'm going to shut them up."
Yamamoto clenched his fists and was about to march over.
"Forget it, Yamamoto."
"Don't be so impulsive!"
Yaku and the others quickly held him back.
"Hey, check out their uniforms," Akaashi said, glancing over. "They're probably from Group C, right?"
Hearing that, Kuroo flipped through the schedule in his hands.
"Inubushi Higashi High..."
"They're just entering the tournament today."
"Looks like they're the seeded team in Group C."
"Not sure how strong they are, though."
"I know a bit," Konoha said hesitantly.
"I have a friend from school who played a few practice matches with them."
"Apparently, Inubushi Higashi High is the pinnacle of coordination."
"They're all about executing tactical plays flawlessly."
"That might be why they're baffled by Matsukawa Tech giving up on blocking."
"It totally contradicts their core philosophy."
Listening to all this, Yamamoto caught the key point.
"Group C?"
"So they might end up facing Karasuno too?"
Yaku leaned over to check Kuroo's schedule.
"Technically…"
"As long as they both keep winning, they'll face off."
"After all…"
"Only one team can advance per group."
Yamamoto clenched his fists excitedly and shouted:
"Haha!"
"A team that thrives on teamwork!"
"I can't wait to see the looks on their faces then!"