"Don't worry guys… this is your first match… You have nothing to fear… they've been setting center quite alot… and more particularly to #3… So keep an eye on him, watch for his serves… and keep the Defense loose… we wanna play the long game… let their number 4 exhaust his strength… Got it?" Everyone agrees. Ajax clenching his fist as an intensity pours. 'I need to keep the ball off the floor!' The team walks back onto the court after a whistle. Conner nervously looks over after feeling Ajax's presence.
"What's his deal?" Cameron steps up and overhand serves the ball. Tapping the tape as it bounces over. Ajax appearing under it and receiving it.
"HAA!" Kurai jumps forward and setting the ball to the right. Kaneko jumps up and spikes the ball but gets blocked. 'What the-... their blockers are fast!' Ajax saves the ball yet again.
"HIGH!!" Kurai grits his teeth and sets the ball straight down the center. Dougal spiking the ball onto the court. Kurai sweating. Chloe looking at Russ.
"Kurai's already sweating? Why?" Russ sighs.
"I was afraid of this… the combination of his jump serves and running around so much for the sets… he's getting exhausted really fast… but we can't take him out with our current lineup… hmm" The ref whistles. MCHS 8-7 LWTHS Connor looks at Ajax shocked, remembering him staring earlier.
"Just who is this Ajax guy!?" Cameron walking over.
"It's amazing how he received the net serve then almost instantly reacted quick enough to receive the blocked ball…" Eric sighs as Ajax's eyes glow.
"There's no way… A freshman has access to that Ability?" Cameron realizes. Ajax has an intense glare, enough to intimidate the whole court. 'Keep the ball off the ground… Off the grround… off the ground!' Eric exhales excitedly.
"An ability only few can use… Flow" Kurai looks at Ajax.
"So… that's what you're known for Ajax?... No wonder you were #2 on your previous team…" Kurai smirks.
"We won't let Ajax slow us down!... Full steam ahead!" Kaneko smirks and tosses the ball up.
"Right!" Kaneko overhand serves the ball. Eric receiving it.
"It's low!" Cameron reacts instantly. Jumping up and spiking the ball over the net. Kurai shocked as the ball appears in front of them. 'These guys don't care about regulations… These guys are free spirited, that's why they're so strong!' Kurai can't react as Ajax receives it.
"Kurai! Get yourself together!" Kurai smirks as Ajax glares at him. Jumping straight from the place he stood. Lifting his hands to set the ball. Derek ready to block as the ball hits the ground behind him. Kurai having power setter dumped from an awkward position. Kurai lands as his knee stings. An intensity radiating from his eyes. Derek shocked: 'There's no way he's also-' Eric smiles confidently. 'I guess it's true… The Zone spreads like wildfire!' The Ref whistling. MCHS 8-8 LWTHS.
"But wait… that isn't a state of flow… They must be super determined… I've seen and played with players in the state of flow before… but this… feels different… more like intense pressure then dead calm and confidence…" Lucas takes note of what Derek said. Dougal taking a deep breath and overhand serving the ball.
"It's Mine!" Conner receives the ball sending it high. Cameron jumping up and setting the ball down the middle. Derek jumps up to spike but misses. Dougal grits his teeth as Eric appears behind Derek and spiking the ball as Dougal hits the ground. Ajax diving after it but not making it. The Ref whistling. MCHS 9-8 LWTHS. Chloe looks up at Coach Russ.
"So… What's this 'state of flow' Thing the other team is on about?" Russ crosses his arms.
"It's basically a state of hyperfocus…" Derek looks at Eric.
"See… If he was actually in a state of flow… He could have got that up…" Eric sighs.
"May have been a fluke… Only temporary probably" Dougal looks down with a disoriented Glare.
"I couldn't… stop the ball?" Ajax violently slaps Dougal's back.
"Volleyball isn't a sport where you can loose, give up… its a sport where you must look forward… If you don't… you might not make it to the top… dream big, work hard, and make that goal happen… lets retry that… give it your all again Dougal… you've got it this time." Dougal still looking down.
"Right!"