"How They Score" (Japanese:
Overview[]
The first set of the match between Karasuno and Nekoma comes to a surprising close when a misplay costs the former the set.
Plot[]
Kuroo scores, bringing the score back to a deuce. Karasuno collectively recall their past failures against Nekoma, which is why this set holds so much weight for them. Determined to score, the pull off a synchronized attack. After Kuroo gets a one-touch off of Tsukishima, Kai saves the ball and Kenma passes it to Fukunaga. Fukunaga's spike targets Kageyama, but Nishinoya is there to toss to Asahi. This time, Asahi's spike goes past the blockers, but Yaku saves it. Kenma, seeing the ball close to the net, positions himself for a dump before shifting to set the ball. Karasuno is, however, fouled for contacting the ball when Kenma was not trying to attack. While the onlookers from Nekoma High think that Kenma just got lucky, Kageyama recognizes the move as the same one Atsumu used in their match the day before.
Kenma's success bait of the Karasuno blocks brings Nekoma to set point. Tendō remarks that the members of Karasuno must have gotten careless in their haste to close out the set. Next, Kai serves. Karasuno attempt another synchronized attack, but Nekoma barely manages to return it, to Karasuno's frustration. They go for another synchronized attack, and again, Nekoma saves it. This time, Kenma gets the ball and tosses it to Karasuno's side. Karasuno prepares for one more synchronized attack, but then the ball simply lands on their side of the court without anyone picking it up.
Everyone is shocked, including the commentators, but points out the obvious "communication error" by Karasuno. Nekoma has surprised everyone by stealing away the first set. The commentators analyze how Kenma returned the ball to a point that fell in Kageyama's run-up path, which blindsided the other players who were all preparing to attack. Kenma has used Karasuno's eagerness to make an offensive play against them.
Appearances[]
- Inarizaki High
- Atsumu Miya (Mentioned)
- Osamu Miya (Mentioned)
- Others