"As everyone already knows, it's that time of the year when we'll have a friendly match with Ushimi Middle School. This time, they traveled here and will arrive next week, so get ready and stay focused."
"Ah, we'll have to face that troublesome guy again, huh..." said Oikawa.
"Indeed, that Bokuto always causes trouble and never shuts up. He's like you, Oikawa," taunts Iwaizumi.
"Stop being annoying."
"For the first time, I'll be able to face that team Oikawa always talks about being strong. I want to see if they are really that strong," thinks Kageyama.
1 DAY AFTER THE LAST PRACTICE:
Hajime is lying on his bed, contemplating the future.
"We'll be facing Kitagawa Daiichi. I don't know much about their current team since the other players weren't mentioned much in the anime, but I have information about Oikawa himself. In my view, he'll be the most troublesome player in the match with his powerful serve, in addition to his excellent passes. According to what I've seen from my past, if I were to make a top 10 list of the best setters in the anime, I couldn't help but place him in the top 3," thinks Hajime.
"If I'm not mistaken, their Ace is Iwaizumi, who has the same name as me. And to be honest, he's a good wing spiker but not as troublesome. I believe he's worse than Asahi, whom fans tend to underestimate."
"As for Kageyama, I'm not sure if at this exact point in the story he would have already become 'The King of the Court.'"
"Now, about our team, we have Washio, who, despite not speaking much, is a very solid player. I believe he can block most enemy attackers with a reliable block."
"Shinji Watari is a great teammate and provides excellent support for the team. As a player, he is a libero who doesn't lack in any aspect."
"One of the defensive pillars of our team is Shinsuke. Although he is a reliable attacker, he excels in receptions. I believe he forms a good duo with Bokuto."
"There's not much to say about Bokuto. He's not the top 4 ace in high school for nothing. He's definitely an incredible player who will be crucial in our upcoming games."
"Analyzing our setters, Yuma is much better at passing than Kanji, but due to his height, he contributes a lot to our defense when on the court. Perhaps against teams that are very strong offensively, he might be a very useful asset."
"Well, I imagine we have great chances of winning. In my opinion, only Oikawa and Iwaizumi don't instill that much fear, hehe."
NOTE: I created this monologue for you to become familiar with it and to remind you that it's part of the team.
7 DAYS LATER:
In the last 7 days, Hajime continued training with the team, exciting awaiting the friendly match.
"Everyone, today is the day we travel. Make sure you're sure to grab everything you need and get on the bus," said the coach.
"I AM SO HYPED FOR THIS TRIP AND OUR FIRST GAME," exclaimed Kanji.
"Me too," said Hajime.
I spent the journey talking with Kanji about strategies we could use in the game, and after 4 hours, we arrived in Miyagi.
We entered the school and went straight to the gym.
"Long time no see, Yamamoto," said Tokugawa.
"Yeah, we didn't get to meet at the nationals. Actually, your team didn't even qualify, hehe," taunted Yamamoto.
"Hey, don't forget that the score is in my favor, you scoundrel," said Tokugawa with fiery eyes.
"Why are the coaches taunting each other?" asked Wataru.
"They've been declared rivals forever, hahaha," explained Shinji.
"Hello, bunch of losers," teased Oikawa.
"WHO DID YOU CALL A LOSER?" shouted Bokuto.
I notice Oikawa observing the three of us...
"Hey, it looks like you guys have some interesting newcomers this year. They're tall; it seems like it's going to be fun," said Oikawa.
"Oikawa, you jerk, stop provoking the opponents and focus on yourself," said Iwaizumi.
"Okay, Iwa-Chan."
"Sorry about that."
Kageyama and the others just watch from afar the interaction between the two teams.
"The starting lineup will have Washio as our middle blocker, Bokuto and Shinsuke as wing spikers, Yuma as the setter, and Shinji as the libero. Also, a reminder to everyone that this game is a best-of-three (MD3)."
"1, 2, 3, LET'S HAVE FUN!"
GAME START:
The game begins with Kitagawa's middle blocker serving.
The serve goes towards Shinsuke, who manages to make the reception.
"It's yours, Yuma-Kun."
"To start the game well, there's no secret, it's an ace ball," affirmed Yuma.
Yuma set the ball for Bokuto on the left, who executed a powerful diagonal shot deep into the court.
"THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE!" celebrates Bokuto.
1-0 (Ushimi)
Washio goes to the service line and delivers a serve that ends up heading towards the opposing wing spiker, who manages to make a reception.
Oikawa performs a drop shot that catches the entire Ushimi team off guard.
"I won't let you defeat me so easily."
1-1 (Tied)
Iwaizumi goes to serve and delivers a beautiful serve, and Shinji manages to dive to make the reception.
I look at Yuma in a determined way, indicating that I want to receive the ball now.
"This one's for you, Hajime-Kun."
I send a powerful cross-court shot, earning a point for our team.
I look at Oikawa with a mocking expression, and he becomes extremely annoyed.
2-1 (Iwaizumi)
Now it's Yuma's turn to serve, and the Kitagawa team manages to make the reception.
"It's time to debut our ace... GO, Iwa-Chan."
Oikawa sends a ball to Iwaizumi, who delivers a powerful diagonal spike towards Shinji, who fails to make the reception.
2-2 (Tied)
"Nice one, Iwa-Chan."
"Good shot," said Iwaizumi.
"DARN, I should have caught that ball," said Shinji.
"Relax, leave it to me," said Bokuto.
In the next rounds, there was an intense exchange of points between the two teams.
PARTIAL SCORE: 15-15 (Tied)
Now it's Oikawa's turn to serve.
"He has already served in this match, but I didn't pay enough attention to copy it," thought Hajime.
Oikawa unleashes a powerful serve that leaves no chance for any Ushimi player to attempt a reception.
16-15 (Kitagawa)
He prepares to serve again, but this time it's not as good, and Shinji manages to make the reception.
Yuma: Bokuto-Kun!!!
Yuma passes to Bokuto, who executes a parallel shot that goes in without difficulty.
"LET'S GO!!" celebrates Bokuto.
16-16 (Tied)
Time for Bokuto to serve, he delivers a strong serve, but it ends up heading towards the opposing libero.
Oikawa passes to their middle blocker, who tries to execute a diagonal but is stopped by our block.
"That's it, team, we're doing well," encourages Yamamoto from the reserves' bench.
Bokuto serves again, and Iwaizumi manages to make an incredible reception. Kitagawa makes an unusual play; the libero jumps before the line, making a pass to Oikawa, who executes a beautiful spike.
17-16 (Kitagawa)
"Take that, you jerks," taunts Oikawa.
Kitagawa's middle blocker serves, received by Shinsuke. Yuma makes a high pass to Hajime, who makes an incredible jump and executes a powerful parallel shot.
17-17 (Tied)
"WOW, this Ushimi newcomer doesn't give us a break; he's playing really well."
The rest of the set was decided with a good variation of points from the Ushimi team. With Kanji entering towards the end to contribute to the blocks, we managed to secure the first set.
25-19 (Ushimi)
Sets: 1-0 (Ushimi)
Scores:
Ushimi: Bokuto (10 points), Hajime (7 points), Shinsuke (4 points),
Washio (2 points), Yuta (1 point), Kanji (1 point).