The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

Chapter 163 Momentum Shifted

After the game was stopped due to the sudden cheers exploded from the stand, the referee finally managed to calm down everyone in the building. It didn't take a long time before he gave the nod to the players, asking them to get ready to restart the game. The next one to serve the ball was Hirano, waiting for the referee to blow the whistle.

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After a moment, he served the ball quickly, trying to aim at Sawada. However, Arizawa covered Sawada's position quickly and picked up the ball for the setter.

"Thanks, Arizawa-senpai!"

"Nobu! Here!"

Seeing Lucas asking for the ball, Sawada was tempted to do the same play he did before which fooled all the players on the court. However, he suddenly felt a shiver down his spine, and when he glanced for a moment, he could see both Yuki and Riku eyeing him hungrily.

'It seems I am not the only one who got fired up right now.'

This time, his rational side won the battle, so instead of risking the play under both Yuki and Riku's eyes, Sawada decided to take the safest side by sending the ball to Lucas. The Brazilian boy took off from the ground immediately, flying high to reach the ball.

"Jimmy, jump with me!" Yuki shouted. A second later, Ogawa ran straight in his direction ready to form a wall with him. "Come on! One! Two! Now!"

*BAM!*

"Shit!" Ogawa cursed out loud when his hands were thrown forcefully by the spike's impact. Lucas aimed the ball perfectly to the spot where it would bounce out of the court and resulting in a point for Konan High.

However, Kaede saw this intention from afar. His short feet moved at an abnormally high speed, pouncing the ball like a cheetah before it could fall to the ground.

"Oh! Nice save, Kai!"

"Cover!"

As the game went by, the atmosphere shifted dramatically, especially when the usually timid Sawada found his voice, orchestrating plays with newfound confidence. With each strategic set and powerful spike, Konan who was behind in the beginning of the second set due to Yuki's serve began to gain momentum, scoring one point after another.

As the scoreboard displayed an ever-widening gap, Tsunemori's confidence began to falter, replaced by a growing sense of panic. Miscommunication led to uncharacteristic errors, with players fumbling serves and missing critical plays, their once fluid movements now marred by hesitation.

All the people in the building could sense the tension rising from the opponents, who exchanged worried glances, their determination wavering as they struggled to regain control of the game.

"Man, what are they doing? They fumbled it hard!"

"Hey, no need to be harsh, man. They face Konan, after all. To get double-digit points in the first set is already an accomplishment for them."

"Well, I cannot help it. They showed promise before, so how could they suddenly get panicky and play like a bunch of drunkards?!"

Honestly, that was also what all the Tsunemori players wanted to know. They couldn't figure out how Konan High suddenly got better by miles, leaving them in the dust. Little did they know that it was all because of their coach who suddenly gave them a signal to end this game as quickly as possible.

'You have already shown a lot today, don't give more intelligence to your opponent in the stand.'

However, their opponent didn't have the intention to go down so easily. Although their situation was bad, the two freshmen on the team still had their eyes full of determination. "Come on, everyone! We are getting closer! Don't give up yet!" Riku shouted, trying to encourage his teammates.

"Yeah!" Yuki also tried to do the same. "And we are still down by five points! Remember, Akira-sensei only permits us to give up when the lead is more than ten, so move your ass and get ready for the next play!"

"Come on, Tsunemori!"

"Yeah! You can do it! Don't give up!"

"Come on!"

Seeing the team tried their best to encourage each other, the spectators were touched and willing to share their support for them. This somehow also managed to raise the team's morale even for a bit. However, it was still better than nothing.

When Riku saw his teammates' expressions brighten one by one, he grinned widely. "Good! That is the reaction I want to see! Come on, we still have this unfinished business; we cannot give up yet!"