Chapter 46:
The trash talk battle—through pre-match pressure, drawing the opponent's attention to himself, then using the ace's signature move [Ace's Call] when the formation reached a stalemate, putting tremendous pressure on the two opponents.
Just when everyone thought Ichise Guren would use his powerful jumping ability to force a score over the two blockers' heads, and when the opposing blocking duo saw through this and jumped with all their might to try to shut down this spike—
Ichise Guren used an extremely clever rhythm change in his approach run, starting fast then slowing down, easily sending the three blocking players flying, then casually tapping the ball in the unblocked area to add a point to Yukigaoka's scoreboard, finishing with a devastating trash talk taunt: "Hands up, don't jump randomly".
This opened Yukigaoka's first shot in this trash talk battle.
What? Didn't the previous round of verbal sparring count? Of course not—that was just the rehearsal for the trash talk battle.
The three players evened out their breathing rhythm as the number 7 wing spiker standing in the middle patted both their backs comfortingly.
"It's fine, we can block the next one. No matter how high his hitting point is, he's not spiking with a straight arm. Even our fingertips are weapons—we can definitely block it."
"Who's worried about whether we can block him? I just can't stand his arrogant attitude."
The number 1 middle blocker curled his lip and began the barking of a defeated dog.
"It's just a one-man time lag, isn't it? Who can't do that?"
The other middle blocker nearby scratched his head and said:
"Senpai, that didn't seem like just a one-man time lag. That setter gave a high ball from the start—we didn't think it was a quick attack either. We were just drawn in by that guy's presence and only focused on watching him."
"That's right. This kind of technique, I've only seen on top professional women's volleyball players. When the setter gives a ball that's high and slow enough, the attacker can use changes in their footwork rhythm to decide on cross-court, straight shots, power spikes, fake dumps, or tricking the opposing blockers into jumping."
The number 7 wing spiker's expression became more serious. After agreeing with the middle blocker underclassman's view, he voiced his own opinion:
"That guy is probably not just the power-type player we saw in the previous footage—someone who jumps high and runs fast."
Saying this, number 7 glanced again at Ichise Guren across the net, who was refreshed and pleased after spouting trash talk, making his teeth itch with anger again. But he still pulled his gaze back to continue his previous topic.
"His tactics and fundamentals are super first-class for middle school. Even if he entered high school right now, he could immediately join the ranks of national first-class attackers. Within three years, he'll definitely become a top-five national attacker."
The number 1 captain looked impatiently at his teammate: "What's the point of praising how amazing he is?"
The number 7 spiker's face drooped, and the number 1 captain immediately fell silent, only muttering quietly: "Can't even let someone speak."
Already used to this captain who had a bit of a delinquent vibe but was actually still a kid at heart, the number 7 spiker pretended not to hear his quiet grumbling.
He continued: "But no matter how strong he is, he's still just one person. Volleyball isn't useful with just one person. Even if he were a professional player competing against us, the score would still be built point by point."
"Moreover, volleyball has never been a one-person sport. If one person can't defend against him, then two will. If two can't, then three, four, or even the whole team defending together."
"This way, we three will only defend one course, leaving the back row players to watch the other courses deadly. Most effectively, we seal off the cross-court, and only give him limited straight-line options. This way, our back row players will have clearer vision and comfortable receiving."
"If there's not enough time to seal the cross-court, then we seal the straight line. We also have three people receiving his cross-court shots. In any case, we absolutely can't let him spike comfortably!"
"Six people are definitely greater than one person. The moment he spikes—when it's him alone against our six—that's when he fails!"
Kosen's number 7 spiker seemed to be the most clear-headed third-year player in Kosen Academy, logically providing a method to limit Ichise Guren.
But when they treated Ichise Guren as the biggest threat and decided to use the whole team's power to counter him, Ichise Guren was no longer fighting alone. Ignore him, and he'd use the most ferocious spikes to tell the opponents he was there. Watch him, and he'd happily execute his decoy plan.
This was an open strategy—all teams could only respond move by move.
Yukigaoka 2:1 Kosen Academy.
Possession changed, and now Yukigaoka's setter Mori, who had rotated to position one, would serve.
"Watch closely! Look carefully before receiving!"
The number 7 wing spiker seized command from the number 1 captain and began using his rational thinking to direct teammates. Compared to simple cheerleading, what his teammates needed now, with morale not declining, was calm thinking.
Patting the volleyball in his hands, Mori calmly observed the opposing formation.
'The libero was substituted by the middle blocker who entered the front row during rotation. Now the opponent's back row has one opposite, one setter, and one second-year wing spiker.'
'Just aim at the setter and wing spiker side. If the setter receives the first touch, they can't assist teammates, and that third-tallest wing spiker is still a second-year—his receiving definitely isn't good enough. Even if he gets it up, there's a high chance it'll disrupt the first touch rhythm.'
'Yes! Attack that side!'
Mori's serve training hadn't reached the jump serve stage yet. Jump serves weren't skilled enough for the current Mori—only standing serves were weapons that could let Mori use ball control to tear apart the opposing formation.
Tossing lightly, the volleyball carried slight spin, attracting everyone's attention from across the net.
'This spin... could it be!'
'That's right!'
Ichise Guren and the opposing middle blocker had a conversation with their eyes.
When the ball reached its highest point, it was exactly Mori's hitting point.
From a standing position, Mori sent out a float serve with large trajectory changes, and because at the moment of flat contact, Mori's wrist made a downward motion—this was a floating drop ball.
"Damn it!"
Nagamatsu Yumeto's center of gravity was too high. With the float serve's large trajectory changes, his footwork couldn't keep up with the movement. He could only forcibly dive forward, relying on his long arms to reach for this ball.
Just as Nagamatsu Yumeto was about to receive it, the volleyball made another trajectory shift in space. Instead of being received by the inner palm of his clenched fist as Nagamatsu had expected, it struck the outside of his arm.
Then, due to the small contact area, when Nagamatsu forcefully lifted his arm trying to delay the volleyball's landing time to save the ball, the brushed arm gave it a small arc.
But it was useless. This small arc clearly wasn't enough time for the setter to come save the ball. The volleyball gently hit the ground, bounced twice, then slowly rolled away.
Turning his head, Nagamatsu Yumeto's eyes full of unwillingness met Mori's calm, ancient-well-like gaze.
Between these two players—one second-year and one first-year—the fires of volleyball battle had also been ignited.
***
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