Karasuno vs Aoba Johsai was a match between the two teams during the third round of Miyagi Interhigh Prelims. The match ended in Aoba Johsai's victory after an endless 3rd set.
Match[]
Set 1[]
The set begins with Tsukishima serving. Kunimi receives and Matsukawa goes up for a quick attack. To everyone's surprise, Oikawa actually jumps up and spikes the ball, giving Aoba Johsai their 1st point. Oikawa then warns Karasuno that he'll be doing the same thing again. During the next play, Hinata and Kageyama use their quick attack, but Hanamaki digs it. Oikawa then runs up to spike again and lures Tanaka and Hinata into blocking. At the last second, Oikawa switches to a set and sends the ball to Iwaizumi, who scores unmarked. During the next play, Aoba Johsai's blockers notice Hinata and Tanaka are both running up to spike. Oikawa, however, notices Asahi approaching from the back. To everyone's surprise, Kageyama pulls off a setter dump and makes the score 2-1 (Aoba Johsai's favor). Kageyama then tells Oikawa that he'll be doing the same thing next, angering the 3rd-Year. He cannot fulfill this promise though because he rotates to the back to serve, and as noted by Hinata, setter dumps from the back are illegal.
Kageyama serves, but he ends up getting a "home run" and gives Aoba Johsai another point. Oikawa then serves the ball and aims for Nishinoya. Nishinoya predicts that the ball will curve and is able to pick it up, shocking a lot of people. Kageyama tricks Kindaichi by glancing at the right and sends the ball to Hinata who scores. Kindaichi apologizes and Oikawa explains to Kindaichi that he's worrying too much about the quick attack and that all he needs to do is have faith and jump. During the next play, Kindaichi calls for a center ball and Hinata jumps to block him, only to realize that Kindaichi is jumping a lot higher and is able to spike over Hinata. Hinata runs up and calls out "bring it", tricking Kindaichi into jumping, only for Asahi to get the ball and deflect a spike over Kunimi's hands. Oikawa then tells Coach Irihata to call a timeout. He then explains the secret to the quick attack, stating that "Bring it" means a normal quick attack, and that "Give it here" means it's the Super version. Sugawara and Kageyama realize that Aoba Johsai has probably figured out the secret as it would be weird to call a timeout that early into the game.
Hanamaki spikes and Hinata fails to dig the ball. Kindaichi is up to serve and aims for the spot where the setter moves from the back. Because of this, Asahi fails to receive two of the spikes, and Kindaichi scores two aces. Asahi picks up the next serve and Daichi ends the streak with a hit from the right side. The score is 9-5, Aoba Johsai's favor, and Tanaka gains another point after spiking through a three-man block. Kageyama realizes that Karasuno has to do something fast, as they are already four points behind. He jumps up and attempts a setter dump, but Oikawa blocks it, stating that he should not rush things like that, as they're predictable and easy to stop. Hinata goes to spike, but Kindaichi notices his signal and perfectly times his jump. Hinata freaks out and barely glances the ball onto the other side. Kageyama serves next and hits a softer serve, which is barely received by Hanamaki. Despite Aoba Johsai's messed-up formation, Oikawa turns it into an opportunity, as he sends the ball towards Kageyama, who makes the first touch and is unable to set. Daichi sets to Tanaka, but he is blocked. Oikawa is up to serve again.
Oikawa serves towards Tanaka and earns a service ace. Ukai then calls for a timeout and he tells Kageyama that dumps aren’t bad but they are risky and should be used carefully. Additionally, he tells them that they aren’t just playing Oikawa, but the whole Aoba Johsai team, and that Aoba Johsai isn’t just playing against Kageyama, but the whole Karasuno team. Oikawa serves again and Tanaka receives, but Kindaichi gets a direct spike. During the next rally, Tanaka goes to spike but is completely shut down. This causes Ukai to call another timeout. Tanaka declares that he will stop letting down Karasuno because of his stupid mistakes. During the next rally, Tanaka calls for the ball and manages to finally score as he spikes past Kunimi's arms, and he and Hinata cheer.
Despite this, Karasuno is still behind by 7 points (15-8). Kageyama starts to feel pressured, as the point gap continues to stay the same. The score is 17-11, Aoba Johsai's favor. Oikawa explains in his head how unlike him, Kageyama is not the kind of setter who brings out the best in all his teammates. Oikawa's teammates all trust his sets, and he says that bringing out the best in everyone is what makes you a true setter. He then sets to Hanamaki, who scores, making the score 18-11. Kageyama is even more pressured, and expresses that he must do whatever to score. He and Oikawa are caught in a joust, and despite how much he tries, Oikawa wins and looks down at Kageyama. After Hanamaki spikes again, Aoba Johsai is now up by 9 points. Kageyama is then subbed out for Sugawara.
Hinata declares that he is the one that will defeat Kageyama and that he should not let Oikawa beat him first. Coach Ukai then tells Kageyama to watch his upperclassmen play. Sugawara smacks everyone and high-fives Nishinoya, exclaiming that they are getting the next point. He then explains something to Tsukishima. Oikawa sends the ball to Iwaizumi, who aims straight down as Sugawara has a low block. To his surprise, Sugawara and Tsukishima had switched places, and they shut down Iwaizumi's spike. Hinata is rotated in. Oikawa and Matsukawa attempt a quick attack, but Hinata jumps up and blocks him, shocking the 3rd-Year. Sugawara praises Hinata, and then shows the hand signals he created to warn Hinata about their next move. After Daichi receives Iwa's spike, Hinata runs up to spike. Oikawa comments that Hinata and Sugawara can't perform the super quick attack, but to their surprise, the two still manage to perform a quick and score.
Kindaichi spikes and the score is 22-15. Oikawa then serves and gets two aces. The first is when he aims the ball between Nishinoya and Tanaka, which tricks both of them. The second is when he makes a softer serve with less rotation, and the ball lands in the very front of Karasuno's court. Aoba Johsai is now at set point at 24-15. Daichi receives the next serve and Asahi attempts a back attack, which Hanamaki is digs successfully. The ball is over the net, and Kageyama yells at Hinata to perform a direct, but Hinata has never done so before and he barely glances at the ball, causing Kageyama to yell at him. Kindaichi goes to spike, but Hinata times his jump right and manages to block Kindaichi. In the end, the ball actually lands out, and Aoba Johsai wins the set 25-15. Kindaichi realizes that they have to be more careful with their quicks, as Karasuno has caught on to their timing.
Pre-2nd Set[]
Karasuno uses the same lineup for the start of the 2nd set. They decide to have their two best receivers, Daichi and Nishinoya, handle Oikawa's serve.
Set 2[]
Tsukishima scores the first point with a quick attack. Hinata comments on how Sugawara is a lot nicer and gives his teammates lots of praise when they do good. The score is 2-2 and Oikawa is up to serve. He does so and Daichi receives the ball. Sugawara then sets to Tanaka, who scores, and Karasuno leads 3-2. Asahi spikes another block-out and the score is 14-13, Karasuno's favor. Despite this, Aoba Johsai quickly turns the game around after blocking Tanaka and leads 15-14. They lead 17-15 after Kindaichi blocks Hinata. Asahi then tells Sugawara to send him the next ball. Sugawara does so and Asahi spikes a back attack past Kindaichi. With this, Kageyama subs in for Sugawara.
Kageyama smiles, which freaks out the entire team. Kageyama is up to serve and manages to score an ace after Watari fails to receive. Both teams are now tied 17-17. Kageyama serves again and Iwaizumi receives, but it's not clean, and Hanamaki sends the ball to Karasuno's side. Nishinoya receives and the ball goes towards Kageyama. Hanamaki and Kindaichi listen to which code words Hinata will use but are tricked when the two 1st-years score a quick without saying anything. Karasuno now leads 18-17. Kageyama's serve streak ends after Hanamaki scores. Both teams are tied 19-19, and Karasuno scores another quick where Hinata jumps sideways and is able to spike untouched. Hinata now rotates to the back and Tsukishima is rotated in. Hinata gets a netball that Matsukawa receives but the ball goes to Karasuno's side. Kageyama then sets to Asahi who scores and gains Karasuno a 2-point lead.
Aoba Johsai calls a timeout and discusses how Tsukishima and Kageyama don't seem to get along that well, and how Tsukishima does not trust Kageyama's sets 100%. Tsukishima attempts a quick but hits the ball like a cross-shot and it's easily received. Iwaizumi scores and Aoba Johsai ties the score again. Karasuno calls a timeout, where Ukai yells at them to chill out. Kageyama then asks how Tsukishima feels about his sets. Tsukishima explains how when he sets, it's like Kageyama is controlling where the ball goes. He then says he likes doing things his way, and that Kageyama should be consistent with his sets. Kageyama sends a ball to Tsukishima that is straight in front of him. He then scores with a feint. He does the same thing again, and Watari barely receives. Asahi gets the ball and spikes past Oikawa and Matsukawa, gaining Karasuno another 2-point lead. Matsukawa then scores a quick. Tsukishima does the same technique again, and this time Watari receives it cleanly. Tanaka receives a quick from Kindaichi, and Kageyama sets to Tsukishima. This time, Tsukishima tricks Aoba Johsai by spiking regularly, and Watari fails to receives as he's too far up. With this, Karasuno is a set point at 24-22.
Iwaizumi spikes past Kageyama and Tsukishima and the score is 24-23. Oikawa is now up to serve. Iwaizumi reminds him that he's playing against his 2nd most hated person in the world and that he's free to go all out. He does so and hits a powerful serve. Nishinoya receives but the ball goes back to Aoba Johsai's side. Nishinoya comments on how Oikawa was willing to hit a powerful serve, despite knowing a slight mistake could cost him the set. Watari receives and Oikawa prepares to set. Tsukishima immediately assumes they'll go for a quick, but Kageyama stops him from jumping and predicts that it's a trick so he can send the ball to Iwaizumi. Kageyama and Tsukishima jump and successfully block the Ace, winning the set 25-23.
Set 3[]
Daichi receives and Kageyama and Hinata perform a quick attack. However, Kindaichi is ready to block and gets a one-touch. Kunimi attempts a feint that is received by Nishinoya. Asahi spikes but Oikawa receives the ball. Some spectators comment that no one can set now. To everyone's surprise, Watari jumps from behind the mid-line and sets to Oikawa who spikes a point. Aoba Johsai leads 10-8. Asahi spikes and Hanamaki receives the ball, but the ball is over the net. Hinata attempts a direct, but Oikawa gets the ball and sends it to Iwaizumi who scores untouched, gaining Aoba Johsai a 3-point lead.
Ukai calls a timeout and tells the team that they're doing great and to stay focused. He also tells them they have a variety of attacks and to use the full width of the court to their advantage. Sugawara also tells Hinata that his wide broad jump is the perfect attack to use. Tanaka scores and Hinata is rotated in. Hinata then uses the advice from Sugawara, and does his wide broad jump, scoring untouched and surprising the entire audience. The Karasuno team cheers for Hinata. Karasuno has now scored back to back and is only one point behind. Oikawa says in his head that he does not want Hinata to on a scoring spree and wants him to rotate to the back as soon as possible. Hanamaki scores a straight and Aoba Johsai continues to lead 15-13. Hinata jumps but lures the blockers, and Tanaka gets the ball instead and scores. Hinata does his same decoy technique again, and Asahi manages to score a back attack, tying the score 15-15.
Aoba Johsai calls a timeout and discusses how they're going to counter Hinata's broad jump. Irihata comments that they just need to shut him down. Oikawa suggests that they leave him unmarked and focus on receiving.
The timeout is over. Tanaka scores and the score is 16-16, technically Aoba Johsai's favor. Hinata goes for another broad jump and is left unmarked by the blockers. He hits the ball but Watari receives. Oikawa then performs a setter dump with his back facing the net, which surprises everyone. Oikawa then serves and hits the net hard, which makes him nervous for a second, before the ball lands back on Karasuno's side and scores. Karasuno gives it their all the next rally, and Hinata attempts to spike but is blocked by Kindaichi, Iwaizumi, and Kunimi. With this, Aoba Johsai is at 19-16, and Karasuno is forced to call a timeout. Ukai is left confused as to how they are going to make a comeback.
Iwaizumi blocks Hinata, but ends up touching the net in the process and gives Karasuno a point. Hinata has now rotated to the back row and is up to serve. Before he can, Yamaguchi is subbed in as a pinch server. Takinoue and Shimada are both nervous. Yamaguchi then attempts a jump floater, worrying Oikawa as he dislikes that type of serve. Karasuno prays that the ball goes over, but in the end, it hits the net and lands back on Karasuno's side, giving Aoba Johsai a point and making the score 20-17. Yamaguchi is seen crying as he walks off the court.
Daichi helps the team to be less worried. Both sides exchange several points. Karasuno gets to 23-21. Tanaka attempts a spike but is blocked by Matsukawa and Oikawa. Determined to not lose, Tanaka saves the ball with his foot, which shocks Oikawa. Hinata then does a flying receive and hits the ball onto the top of the net. The ball lands on Aoba Johsai's side and scores. With a score of 23-22, Aoba Johsai's favor, Kageyama serves and Kunimi receives it. Oikawa attempts to spike but Daichi receives. Tanaka spikes but it's received by Iwaizumi. Oikawa and Matsukawa perform a quick attack and get Aoba Johsai to match point, 24-22. Nishinoya yells at his team to not give up and to give their all. Asahi spikes and scores. Tanaka serves and is worried when Oikawa and Kindaichi perform a quick. Despite this, Tanaka manages to receive the ball with his shoulder. The ball however is over the net and Oikawa attempts a direct. At the last second, Kageyama jumps and performs a one-handed set that goes to Hinata, who scores, tying the game 24-24, and Karasuno cheers.
Aoba Johsai calls their final timeout. Oikawa questions if Kunimi is ready and Kunimi confirms. Kageyama is thinking of when Kunimi received earlier, shocked as he's never known Kunimi to go after a ball like that. Hinata then comments that he will keep doing the broad jump as many times as needed until they win.
Hinata attempts the jump twice, but Watari receives both of the attempts. Hinata then gets a one-touch on Kindaichi's attack. He goes for another jump, only for Iwaizumi to jump to block him. Hinata does not jump very high. At the last second, Hinata is able to perform a feint, which goes over Iwaizumi's hands and scores. Karasuno is now at match point 25-24. Iwaizumi scores a back attack and ties the game. Oikawa is now up to serve again. He remembers his promise from middle school to take down Ushiwaka, and with that, he hits a powerful serve that goes towards Nishinoya. At the last second, Nishinoya moves his head, and the ball lands out, which surprises everyone, as Oikawa usually never hits a bad serve. Karasuno has match point again, 26-25. Iwaizumi spikes again and ties 26-26.
Both teams exchange points for over 10 rallies. Eventually, the score reaches 31-31. Aoba Johsai has gone the full rotation, and Oikawa is up to serve again. Iwaizumi tells him that he needs to stop worrying about Ushiwaka, or he will very well lose. Oikawa agrees to this. He hits a powerful serve that Daichi receives and the ball goes back to Aoba Johsai's side. Asahi and Hinata think about if the ball is going to Kindaichi or Iwaizumi. To their surprise, it goes to Kunimi on the right side. A flashback of the Yukigaoka game is shown when Kunimi didn't go after the ball that Hinata glanced off the blockers. This made Kageyama scold him for not taking the game seriously. Kunimi then spikes and Kageyama receives, but the ball goes to Aoba Johsai's side again. Kunimi runs back, and Kageyama is confused as to how he still has energy after the long game. Kunimi then gets the ball again and attempts a feint and scores. Aoba Johsai has turned the tables is at match point 32-31. Sugawara reminds Kageyama that everyone on Karasuno's side is good.
Oikawa comments on how Kageyama is evolving quickly and that he will one day be his downfall. He then serves a softer serve, which lands upfront. Daichi receives it. Asahi attempts a block-out, but Watari receives the ball. Oikawa sets to Iwaizumi, who spikes, but Tanaka receives. The ball is over the net, and Kindaichi jumps to spike, commenting that despite the fact that Hinata has better speed and reflexes, he is still taller than him. He spikes but Nishinoya receives the ball. Kageyama runs towards the ball, and he and Hinata perform their super quick attack with perfect timing. Hinata spikes with all his force, but in the end, Kindaichi blocks the ball. Everyone is shocked. Kageyama, Nishinoya, & Asahi attempt to receive. Oikawa adds on to his earlier comment about Kageyama, stating: "You may very well be my downfall... but not today." The ball lands on the floor. The final whistle is blown and Karasuno has been defeated (1:2 / 15-25, 25-23, 31-33).
Aftermath[]
The team shakes hands with Aoba Johsai and thanks their supporters for coming to watch.
Everyone is devastated by their loss. They must leave to cool off as Senseki High arrives in the gym and needs the court to warm up. Ukai comments that Aoba Johsai will be participating in the Quarterfinals after taking a break.
Kageyama blames himself for the loss, but Hinata yells at him to not say sorry about what happened. Takeda finds the two, and states that defeat was like a trial to be overcome, and that remaining on their knees would be a sign of weakness. The two 1st-years stand up, and Takeda smiles. As Karasuno prepares to leave, they go to get their banner and come across Aoba Johsai who has just won the Quarterfinals against Senseki (2:0 / 25-? 25-22).
Ukai decides to treat the team to dinner. He tells them that after their long, hard game, they need to eat to build up their muscles. The team eats while crying over their loss.
Trivia[]
- The 3rd Set is based off the Anime version.
Errors[]
- When the score is 20-14 in Set 1, Iwaizumi spikes past Sugawara and Tsukishima. However, Tsukishima was serving before this, so he should not have been able to block.
- In the manga version of Set 1, Oikawa's 2nd serve streak ends when the score is 15-8. However, he is up to serve again when the score is 22-15. This is an error as they did not go the full rotation.
- In the anime, after Yamaguchi fails his serve, Hinata is shown decoying for Tanaka. This is an error as Hinata was just subbed out for Yamaguchi, meaning he rotated out for Nishinoya.