Everyone took there positions, once everyone was ready I immediately noticed the change in atmosphere. Everyone of the third years had an aura about them that couldn't be described, the aura of the strong.
'Well I guess they're not a powerhouse team for nothing' I mused to myself.
Thinking that I turned to my team. Noya and Taigen were all emitting the same aura, but the others were visibly nervous which caused me to shake my head.
'Makes since I suppose, most people only start playing volleyball in middle school' I thought as I motion to Noya.
"Yo, I'm gonna be counting on you. These guys other than Taigen are all newbies." I whispered to Noya.
"I won't let a one get through." He spoke confidently.
Once we were done, the third years served the ball and it was received, badly I might add, by one of the first years.
"Sorry!" He said.
"Don't mind." I replied.
The ball is hit to me and I watch the court with my hawk-eyes. I smirk to myself and think,'Why don't we give our senpai a nice greeting.'
After that thought, I tap the ball to there side for a setter dump. Caught off guard , our senpai couldn't react and we scored our first point.
"Nice Kai!" They all said except for Taigen who looked at coldly. 'Aww is he mad I didn't give him a chance to show off,' I snicker to myself as we get back in position.
Over on the bench,'He's got good instincts and an overall good eye for the court, guess nicknames aren't given out like candy these days,' the coach thought, 'But he's a little full of himself, he needs to curve that to be great.'
On the other side of the court," Geez, that guy really is looking to piss us off," Eichi said under his breath,"well if he wants a war he's got one." He said while grinning.
After that it was our serve, and Kano hit it towards Eichi. I watched as Eichi hit it to Araken, who knocked it down despite the first years block. 'Looks like this won't be as easy as I first thought.' I think to myself.
After that, we kept up with the third years and as much as we could and soon the score was 9 to 5.
We received the ball and get ready to attack and I notice that Taigen is hanging back. I smile to myself when I realize what he's doing.
"Is he..." the coach muttered.
Soon he ran up and I, of course, set to him and he spikes it down.
The third years looked at us in surprise and yelled,"Back attack!"
But it wasn't enough as the ball hit the court. I looked at Taigen who looked at me. He was honestly surprised that I could recognize what to do, that's something that people usually only see in high school and above. He hated to admit it but I was better than what he expected.
"Looks like we might have a shot at the championship this year." The coach said while grinning. Obviously he had recognized what we did and knew how difficult it was to perform it with someone you just met.
[For those that don't know a back attack is when someone runs up from the back line before crossing the back row line. Also known as: ten-foot line, or the 3-meter line. This usually used with multiple people jumping for the ball to confuse the other team.]
After that we went back and forth, until we eventually lost 25 to 21. It was closer than what it should have been thanks to Nishinoya saving the ball so many times.
As we breathe heavy, the coach walks up. "All right guys good work I know about what needs to be done for us to improve we will meet tomorrow and I'll start looking for some practice games. All right you guys are dismissed."
I went home replaying the match in my mind and thinking on my new teammates.' Araken is a good power spiker and has good basics I guess that's why he's the ace. Eichi is an average player, his setting wasn't anything special, but his serves are deadly. Mitsuo is more of a defensive player and he's hard to get a spike through, him paired up with Noya will be deadly for sure. The rest of the team was average other than that but once me, Noya, and Taigen are put in the mix we will see a qualitative change and should have a good chance to win the whole thing this year.' I sighed while thinking. Overall this team will be a hard competitor this year, I can't wait to see how for we go.
As I'm lost in thought me and Noya reach our houses. I say bye and walk in to my home, when I was suddenly tackled by my little sister who barraged me with questions.
"Did you get on the team? Are they strong? Do you think you'll when this year? Will you start?" She fired off rapidly.
I nod and try to placate her while wondering some of these questions myself.