After practice, the Karasuno players were gathered in the locker room again, packing up their things to head home.
"We should do something this afternoon again. Maybe we should go watch the nationals one more time! It'd be so cool if one of the teams from our prefecture won!" Tanaka said excitedly while putting on a shirt.
"That could be fun, but I think we should start focusing on the next tournament and begin watching the games of the teams we'll face..." Daichi warned.
"Two meters! Let's watch the two-meter guy's game!" Nishinoya chimed in enthusiastically, joining the conversation.
"Well, the game between Johzenji and the giant's team is today, but wouldn't it be better to focus on the teams directly in our bracket? If I'm not mistaken, both are on the other side..." Sugawara observed, staring at the bracket they had stuck on the locker room wall.
"True, theoretically our first opponent would be Wakutani, which is also a tough team, but both teams are playing today, so if we want, we can watch both!" Daichi declared.
And so, after practice ended, the players were once again taken by Takeda to the gym where the First Preliminary matches were being held. As mentioned earlier, it was a gym relatively far from where the Middle School nationals were taking place.
"I hope we don't run into Oikawa-san here again. That wasn't a very pleasant experience..." Kageyama remarked.
"For sure, with guys like Tanaka and Nishinoya around, a fight could break out at any moment, especially since that guy doesn't hold back when he's arguing!" Hinata agreed.
"Looks like the match between Wakutani and Ōgi Biz is before the one between Johzenji and Kakugawa," Asahi said, staring at a schedule posted on the wall.
"I've never heard of this Ōgi Biz..." Tanaka commented, being the first to sit down in a chair near where the game would take place.
"None of us know anything about them... That's why I think we'll probably face Wakutani, which, as Ukai-san mentioned, is one of the top four strongest teams in Miyagi," Daichi said, sitting down in a chair as the rest of the team followed suit.
"This is weird!" Tanaka commented after staring at the Wakutani team, who were warming up with some sets and spikes.
"What do you mean?" Sugawara asked.
"When you look at the teams in this top four, they all have something impressive... Shiratorizawa is an entirely strong team with a top-three ace at the national level, Seijoh has Oikawa, and Date Tech has those tall guys with that iron wall block... But these guys... they seem too normal compared to the other teams we've faced!" Tanaka criticized.
"You're not entirely wrong... They're not necessarily flashy, but they can't be underestimated..."
After some time, the game began with Wakutani serving. Shiroishi put the ball in play on Ōgi Biz's court, and they managed to receive it. Their setter made the first set to the wing spiker in position four, who spiked the ball past a double block toward Wakutani's court. However, Shiroishi, who had served and also made the receive, directed the pass to Hanayama, their setter, who immediately set the ball to Nakashima. Nakashima jumped and faced a double block but managed to hit the ball off the side of one of the blockers, sending it out of bounds.
"Oh, that short guy... He seems to be their ace, right?" Tanaka asked.
"Yes, and that play sums up their style of play—consistent in reception and competent at scoring..." Daichi explained.
"He's only a few centimeters shorter than you, idiot... So they're basically a budget Nekoma..." Tsukishima quipped.
"Well, I have to agree with Tsukishima... Of course, we can't underestimate them. In the past, it would make sense to be wary of them, but as Tsukishima said, we've already faced and beaten a team that's like their final Pokémon evolution, so... I'd say we're the favorites!" Hinata commented confidently.
"THAT'S RIGHT! BRING IT ON! WE KNOW HOW TO RECEIVE TOO!" Nishinoya shouted excitedly.
After Wakutani won the first set 25-22 and the second set was underway with a score of 16-12, Sugawara alerted the players to something.
"Guys, the match between Johzenji and Kakugawa is about to start because the game on the other court just ended..." Sugawara warned.
"Wow, it must have been a blowout by one of the teams..." Hinata observed.
"Alright... This game is pretty much in the bag for Wakutani, and we've seen enough. Let's go!" Daichi said, guiding the Karasuno players to an empty row where they could get a better view of the new game.
"OH, THE GAME ALREADY STARTED WITH A BLOCK FROM THE TWO-METER GUY!" Nishinoya shouted after seeing Hyakuzawa block Terushima, who didn't seem too shaken and was even smiling.
"Speaking of which, it looks like Johzenji's third-years didn't continue into this second tournament," Hinata observed while looking at Johzenji's team and bench and not recognizing any of the third-years.
"So they're really going to have a hard time winning this match. Your guess might be wrong, Hinata—this giant is good!" Tanaka said with a grin.
"Well... let's watch..." Hinata said as he observed the next play. After Johzenji received the serve, they executed one of their crazy attacks, switching positions and confusing Hyakuzawa, who jumped prematurely to block the wrong player, giving up the point.
The game continued with Johzenji using these kinds of attacks to outsmart Hyakuzawa's blocks. Hyakuzawa managed to score some points with his raw power, but it wasn't enough to beat Johzenji, who won 2-0 (25-22 and 25-23).
"That was a bit disappointing. The two-meter guy was clearly a rookie!" Tanaka complained.
"Yeah... He reminds me of Lev, jumping too early and not doing the preventive block, driving Kuroo crazy!" Hinata said, laughing.
"Well, this is a good reminder that height isn't everything, and Wakutani is considered strong for a reason... So let's keep training!" Daichi encouraged the players.
"YES!" everyone shouted in unison.