"Beach Volleyball" (Japanese: ビーチバレーボール Bīchi Barēbōru) is the three hundred seventy-sixth chapter of the Haikyū!! series, written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate. It was published in the 2nd issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump's 2020 series.
Overview[]
The beach volleyball match between Hinata and Heitor vs. Carvalho and Santos continues. Although Hinata and Heitor gain an upper-hand in the early third set, they must overcome the vast experience and refined technique of their opponents to win.
Plot[]
Hinata scores a point off of the Carvalho and Santos pair to lead the third set 10-9. Lucio joins the others in spectating the match and discovers that the teams have won and lost a set each. Pedro questions if Hinata used a "pokey" in his last hit, and Lucio explains the various hand formations that are legal in beach volleyball when pushing the ball over. After Heitor's serve goes out, the teams switch places on the court with Heitor and Hinata taking the good side that's facing the wind. Quickly, the two begin to accumulate a lead over their opponents. Hinata purposely positions himself to one side of the court in order to trick Carvalho into hitting a line shot. He then immediately moves to the other side to receive as if he had foreseen the spike trajectory beforehand.
Lucio praises Hinata's agility and expertise in mind games but warns of Santos's true prowess. Santos receives Hinata's spike and purposely sends the ball back on the first touch to an empty area on the court. After the teams switched sides once more, Santos receives Heitor's spike and returns a powerful spike of his own. The ball appears to be heading out-of-bounds, but a gust of wind softens its momentum. The ball lands inbounds and to tie the score at 13-13. Next, Carvalho makes a service ace after the wind interferes with Heitor's receive.
Soon, Hinata realizes the opponents' strategy of picking the bad side first in order to end up on the good side at the end of the set. As a veteran player, Santos is pushing Hinata and Heitor into a corner. Heitor begins feeling frazzled but is reassured after seeing Hinata's unwavering determination. Carvalho makes his third serve. Heitor barely saves the ball and sends it flying back directly. Carvalho direct spikes, but Hinata intercepts in time. Heitor, wanting to play longer with Hinata, fervently chases down the ball to keep their chance of winning alive.
Appearances[]
- Karasuno High (Former)
Chapter notes[]
Character revelations[]
- Carlos Carvalho is 192 cm (6'3") and specializes in blocking and serving.
- Lucas Santos is 181 cm (5'11") and specializes in defense and shots. At 37 years old, he is a veteran beach volleyball player.
Trivia[]
- In beach volleyball, players must use their fingertips (cobra) or knuckles (pokey) when dinking a shot. It is illegal to use finger pads like in regular volleyball.