Karasuno vs Aoba Johsai was a match during the Miyagi Spring Qualifier semifinals. It was a revenge match for Karasuno's previous loss during the Interhigh Preliminaries. After a tough and close brawl, Karasuno won and advanced to the finals.
Match[]
Prologue[]
Hinata notices Kyōtani and questions if he's been on Aoba Johsai's team the entire time. When Daichi and Oikawa shake hands, Oikawa informs Daichi that he seems different than before. Daichi then replies that he's trained with an odd bunch of guys since the Interhigh. A ref performs a coin flip, and it lands on heads for Karasuno. Daichi chooses to receive, while Oikawa chooses to serve. Coach Ukai informs the team that Aoba Johsai has been a tough match-up for them, but they still need to overcome their past encounter, and push through to victory. Oikawa reminds his team that Karasuno is a formidable opponent, and if they let their guard down, they'll get "eaten alive". He then tells them that they need to go out and earn a good lead early on. His team then says that they trust Oikawa, shocking everyone. However, they still tell the captain to lands a good serve, and if he doesn't, he's buying the team ramen after the game.
Set 1[]
Oikawa is up to serve first. He hits a good serve, and Daichi receives it. However, the ball is going over the net. Kindaichi wins a joust against Hinata, but Kageyama keeps the ball in play. Kindaichi then comments that Kageyama won't be able to perform the freak quick. To his surprise, Nishinoya jumps from the center line, and Karasuno runs up for a synchronized attack. He sends the ball to Asahi in the back, who scores the first point. Karasuno cheers, and Nishinoya and Asahi appear surprised by the attack, confusing Sugawara. Kageyama serves next and aims towards the line where Hanamaki is, with Daichi commenting on the good placement. However, the ball lands out, angering the first-year. Iwaizumi serves next and Asahi picks it up. However, the ball is flying long. Kageyama then performs a one-handed set to Tanaka, who scores the second point. Hinata then comments that he wants to hit the ball too.
Tsukishima performs a quick, but Matsukawa picks it up. Iwaizumi calls for the ball, but Oikawa sends it to Hanamaki instead. However, Tsukishima reads the attack, and blocks it. The score is 6-5, Karasuno's favor. Hinata rotates in. Takinoue comments that it's about time for Hinata to land a quick. He then explains the previous match, where Hinata and Kageyama had the quick set up with perfect timing, but were still stopped, ending the match. Iwaizumi spikes and Daichi receives it. Hinata and Kageyama perform their quick, but Kindaichi blocks it, as Hinata did not pay attention to the block. At the last second, Tsukishima manages to pick it up. The ball heads over to Aoba Johsai's side. Hinata gets angry over this, but Kageyama kicks him in the butt to knock some sense into him. Iwaizumi spikes and and Hinata gets a one-touch. Asahi receives the ball and sends it to Kageyama. The duo performs another quick. This time, Hinata is aware of the block. His team tells him to avenge the last shot. He spikes across. Watari receives it wrong and the ball scores. Karasuno now leads 7-5. Karasuno maintains their lead. Aoba Johsai is worried as the quick will cause trouble, while Oikawa says not to worry.
The score is 16-15. Oikawa serves and Daichi picks it up once again. Kageyama sets to Hinata again. Aoba Johsai chooses to not block and instead receive the quick. Hinata then aims for the corner and scores. Kageyama serves and Watari receives it, but it's not clean. Oikawa asks Hanamaki to cover him. He does so by sending an emergency set to Kunimi, who scores. Hanamaki and Kunimi then high-five, angering Tanaka as they did it like it was normal for them. Iwaizumi serves but hits the ball into the net. Hanamaki gets a point back by spiking, which Nishinoya fails to receive. The score is 18-17, Karasuno's favor. Matsukawa is now rotated in, and he explains something to his teammates. Hinata goes for another broad jump, but this time, Matsukawa follows him. He then jumps and blocks the path for a cross. This forces Hinata to hit a straight, which Kindaichi receives. Oikawa and Kunimi perform a quick and score.
Kageyama then gets worried as they already have a way to counter the quick. The score is 22-21. Hinata remembers how Sugawara said during the Interhigh that to stop Aoba Johsai's quicks, they have to wait a breath longer, than jump. He does so and blocks Kindaichi's quick, earning another break point for Karasuno. In the next play, Kindaichi lands a quick and scores. The score is 23-22, and Oikawa is up to serve. Iwaizumi warns Kindaichi to hold on to his head, confusing and worrying the middle blocker. Oikawa then hits an extremely powerful serve with all his force. This shocks Nishinoya and Daichi, who weren't even able to react. To everyone's surprise, the ball landed out, and Karasuno now has match point. Kageyama is up to serve, and reminds himself that he shouldn't try to rival Oikawa's serving power. He serves and Watari receives it. Iwaizumi then spikes and scores. Aoba Johsai then does a player substitution. They sub in Kyōtani for Kunimi. Karasuno appears confused as they've never seen anyone who looked like him in any of Aoba Johsai's game. Iwaizumi serves and Daichi receives it. Tanaka spikes, but Kindaichi gets a one-touch. Watari receives the ball and Oikawa prepares to set to Kindaichi. However, Kyōtani runs up from behind and knocks down Kindaichi. He then spikes past Karasuno's defense with all his force. However, the ball landed out, shocking everyone including Aoba Johsai's members.
Karasuno wins the set 25-23. Iwaizumi then scolds Kyōtani by punching his head. The second-year then explains that he hasn't played an official game in a long while and wanted to get involved early, while Oikawa yells that his statement is not a valid excuse.
Set 2[]
Before the second set starts, Oikawa reminds Kyōtani that he can only play if he scores and doesn't drag the team down. The second-year, however, doesn't respond, but acknowledges when Iwaizumi states the same thing. Yahaba explains to Kunimi that Kyōtani has challenged Iwaizumi to many sports and also arm-wrestling, but lost each and every time. Because of this, Kyōtani only listens to Iwaizumi.
The set begins with Asahi's serve. He lands it out by accident, earning Aoba Johsai the first point. Oikawa lands the next serve out as well. The score is 1-1. Tsukishima serves next. He clips the net, and Iwaizumi barely picks it up. Oikawa sends an open set to Kyōtani on the right. Shimada notices that he's making a running approach vertical to the net. Kyōtani jumps up and hits a cut shot. The audience is shocked. Shimada then realizes that he made the unusual approach in order to hit a cut shot and avoid the blockers. Iwaizumi serves and Daichi picks it up, but the ball is flying long. Both Kindaichi and Kyōtani run up for a "double quick". Kindaichi notices Hinata's concentration and chickens out of jumping. Kyōtani gets the ball and scores, as Hinata is unable to jump in time. Oikawa then tells Kindaichi that Kyōtani won't be the only one scoring, and to do his approaches with determination. Kindaichi then admits to being scared the previous time. Daichi receives Iwaizumi's next serve. Hinata and Kageyama perform their quick, but Iwaizumi picks it up. Kindaichi makes an approach for a broad jump, tricking Hinata into jumping, only for Kyōtani to get the ball. He scores, accidently knocking down Hanamaki in the process. The score is now 4-1. Iwaizumi hits his next serve into the net. Yachi then cheers in relief that Karasuno finally got a point.
Kageyama serves and Hanamaki receives it. Hinata waits for Kyōtani to come, and then jumps. To his shock, Kindaichi gets the ball and scores with a broad jump. Aoba Johsai maintains their lead. Kindaichi serves and Nishinoya receives. Hinata and Kageyama perform their quick, but Iwaizumi picks it up again. Hanamaki passes to Kyōtani, but the ball is close to the net. Oikawa realizes that if he spikes, he'll get shut down, and then yells at him to bounce the ball back. Kyōtani doesn't listen and is shut down by Daichi. Mizoguchi then yells at the second-year for not attempting a feint or rebound. Kyōtani then responds that a spike doesn't feel good if it doesn't land for the kill. Karasuno then stares in confusion. Mizoguchi gets angrier, but Irihata calms him down by saying that the mistakes will be fixed in due time. Tanaka taunts Kageyama for an earlier comment that Kyōtani might be smart and quick, as he subbed in for Kunimi, and Kageyama replies that he said: "Maybe." Hinata also exclaims that Kyōtani is missing out if he doesn't like feints. Hanamaki spikes and Nishinoya receives it. Hinata decoys for Asahi, who spikes, but Kyōtani gets a hand on the ball. Hanamaki saves it. Oikawa sends the ball to Kyōtani who attempts the parallel running approach from earlier. Hinata is determined to stop it, but Kyōtani instead spikes into the net, scoring. Hinata exclaims that Kyōtani's spikes look awesome. Oikawa explains to himself that Kyōtani has strong core muscles and that he stretches back before snatching forward, creating a nasty spike. Mizoguchi then sighs in relief, as Kyōtani finally landed a point. Kyōtani serves next but lands it out. Both sides continue scoring.
The score is 10-8, Aoba Johsai's favor. Iwaizumi serves next. Asahi spikes from the back, but Iwaizumi picks it up. Hanamaki spikes next but Hinata gets a one touch, sending the ball to Aoba Johsai's side. Watari messes up his next pass. Oikawa then goes into the position to perform a quick with Matsukawa. However, this was a trick, and he sends the ball to Kyōtani. It's revealed that Oikawa told Watari to make a bad pass to lure the blockers to the left, and then Kyōtani will attack from the right. He spikes a cut shot, and now Aoba Johsai leads three-points ahead. Ennoshita comments on the sharp angle on Kyōtani's spike, while Sugawara comments that a setter loves nothing more than tricking opposing blockers. The score is 13-11, and Hinata is up to serve. Kageyama then signals him. He serves and Watari receives. Hanamaki performs a back attack, but Tanaka picks it up. Karasuno performs a synchronized attack. Kageyama sets to Hinata in the back. He spikes but is shut down by Oikawa. The setter than questions Kageyama on if he really thought it was a good time to attempt something like that. Shimada notices that Sugawara is being called to the bench. He wonders if Karasuno is switching setters, but Takinoue replies that he's not holding a nine-stick, indicating that he's subbing in for someone else. Iwaizumi scores, and Oikawa is now up to serve again. He performs a perfect serve toss and scores an ace. Aoba Johsai now leads with four points. He serves again but hits the net. Ukai then yells to get up front. Nishinoya picks it up. Tsukishima passes the ball to Tanaka, who scores a block-out. Sugawara subs in for Tsukishima.
Sugawara is up to serve. He serves and aims towards Kyōtani in the front. Shimada realizes that now, Kyōtani will be late to attack. Kindaichi spikes and Sugawara receives it. Hinata performs his quick and scores, as the ball glances off Kindaichi's arm and goes out of bounds. Shimada comments that usually, the rotation with Tsukishima in the back row is tough to deal with as the front only has 2 attackers, and Tsukishima can't block from the back. He then says that being able to score points in a tricky rotation is saying something big. Sugawara serves again and aims towards Kyōtani again, who is forced to receive. Mizoguchi remembers that Kyōtani is a super aggressive type of spiker who always comes in for quicks, and now that Sugawara is forcing him to receive, Kyōtani can't make as many approaches. Iwaizumi spikes and Daichi picks it up. Sugawara and Kageyama switch positions. Kindaichi realizes that with Sugawara setting, Karasuno has 5 attackers as opposed to the usual 4. Sugawara sets to Kageyama, who scores a line shot from the right. Karasuno is now only one point behind. Aoba Johsai calls a time-out. Hanamaki and Iwaizumi discuss a plan. Sugawara serves again but is shocked when Kyōtani moves away and Hanamaki receives instead. He remarks on his frustration of how Aoba Johsai is quick to react to everything. Kyōtani scores a cross shot. Sugawara subs out for Tsukishima (Nishinoya). He then comments that he wanted to get to a tie at the least.
Tanaka scores a line shot right back. Kageyama serves and Iwaizumi receives it. Kyōtani spikes but Asahi receives it. Daichi performs a feint, but Oikawa picks it up. Watari performs a Libero set to Kyōtani who scores past Hinata and Tanaka's block. Kindaichi serves. Hinata performs his quick but Hanamaki receives it. Kyōtani gets the ball again. Hanamaki comments that Kyōtani is only on the court for one reason, and that is to score points. He then spikes and Kageyama fails to receive. Aoba Johsai has reached 20 points first. Karasuno calls a timeout. Shimada says that at the current pace, Aoba Johsai will most likely take the second set. Saeko then says that even if that does happen, Karasuno already won set 1, and they just have to win the last set. Shimada, however, denies this, saying that they have to win the set anyway they can, because if the game goes to full sets, Aoba Johsai could turn the game around. The timeout ends. Kindaichi sends his next serve into the net and apologizes. Tanaka serves next and Iwaizumi picks it up. Kyōtani runs up to spike.
However, Hinata notices Matsukawa coming from behind. This was a trick and Kyōtani gets the ball, scoring. Kyōtani is up to serve. He hits an extremely powerful serve and scores an ace untouched. Aoba Johsai now leads 22-18 and Karasuno is forced to use their next timeout. When the game resumes, Ukai notices that Yamaguchi is staring at him, and reassures him that his time will come. Kyōtani serves again and Daichi receives, but the ball flies long. Matsukawa scores with a direct, extending the score to a five-point lead. Asahi tells Daichi and Tanaka to step back as Kyōtani will never try a soft serve. He serves again and Tanaka picks it up. Hinata scores a quick and is now up to serve. Yachi and Oikawa's fangirls notice Yamaguchi stepping onto the court. Hinata tells Yamaguchi to score ten points, and he replies that a such action would end the game. Hinata then reminds him that ending the game is their goal. Karasuno then cheers and motivates Yamaguchi. Before he serves, Yamaguchi remembers an earlier conversation with Shimada about how he has 8 seconds to serve after the whistle before it's a violation, and that in the Wakunan match, it appeared that the whistle scared him too much and made him think that he needed to serve right away. Back to present day, Oikawa appears frustrated at the fact that all of Karasuno's members appear to be new people.
The whistle blows. Everyone watches in silence. After a few seconds, Yamaguchi serves. The ball looks as if it's going long, and Watari calls it as out. At the last second, the ball drops and lands in, shocking Aoba Johsai. Karasuno cheers and praises Yamaguchi for his serve. Hanamaki explains how he thought it was out too, and Oikawa explains how it's the exact reason he dislikes jump floaters so much. Tsukishima questions why everyone acts so surprised, to which Tanaka scolds him for sounding like a downer, until Tsukishima reminds him that Yamaguchi practiced serving the most out of everyone. Takeda then says that with that one service ace, Karasuno has hope for a counterattack. Yamaguchi serves again. The ball goes toward Kyōtani, who prepares to receive with an underhanded serve. However, the ball is aiming towards his face, and he moves, causing the ball to glance off his arm and score for Karasuno. Yamaguchi's third serve is received by Hanamaki with an overhand pass.
Oikawa sets to Iwaizumi in the back. He spikes, but Yamaguchi picks it up, telling himself that he's not ending his streak yet. Kageyama receives and Daichi sends the ball to Tsukishima, who scores with a block-out. Aoba Johsai calls a timeout. Yamaguchi reflects on his previous statements about wanting to be as good as the other first-years, and now he can finally fulfill that dream. The timeout ends. Yamaguchi's team yells to get another serve in. Before he serves, he remembers being taught by Shimada to try aiming for the top of the net. He is able to do so, and scores, as Watari is unable to receive. The score is now tied 23-23. Oikawa tells his team to calm down, but the third-years remind him that they're all calm. Yamaguchi serves again but doesn't give as much spin to it. Iwaizumi picks it up. Oikawa sets to Hanamaki in the back, but Tsukishima reads it and gets a one-touch. Tanaka picks it up and Kageyama passes to Asahi, who is up against a tall triple block, as noted by Ukai. He spikes, but is blocked, and the ball is going back to Karasuno's side. However, the ball lands out. Karasuno now has match point. Yamaguchi serves once more and feels good about it. However, Watari picks it up. Iwaizumi gets the ball and scores a back attack, as Yamaguchi fails to receive it. The score is now a deuce, 24-24. Yamaguchi subs out for Hinata, who rotates out for Nishinoya. Yamaguchi promises Hinata that he'll really score 10 points next time, and Hinata declares that they will win.
Daichi reminds himself that Karasuno now has the perfect chance to win because of Yamaguchi, and they can't let it go to waste. Hanamaki serves and Daichi cleanly receives it. Asahi then scores and Karasuno is back at match point. However, Matsukawa scores right back with a quick, shocking Ukai, who expected that Oikawa would've let Iwaizumi spike, as they're in a tough situation and in possible need of their ace. Kindaichi rotates in but nerves get the better of him, and Tsukishima scores a quick untouched. He's told that he looks too stiff by Iwaizumi. Kindaichi then reflects on how they can't lose as it would end the third-years' career. Iwaizumi then tells him to get out of his head and focus on the game, and that in situations like they're in, all they need to think about is the next point. Asahi serves next. Hanamaki receives it, but the ball flies long. Oikawa is able to perform a one-handed set and Kindaichi scores with a quick. The score is once again tied and Oikawa is up to serve. He hits a powerful serve, and Nishinoya is unable to receive it properly, sending the ball all the way into the stands.
Daichi comments on how the serve looked as if it was a spike. Aoba Johsai now has set point 27-26. Nishinoya yells at himself for not getting the ball up. Daichi then asks Asahi to be part of their serve rotation. Ukai remembers that they dealt with serves from Ubugawa and Fukurōdani many times, and that they have a chance to fight this battle. Oikawa serves and Daichi manages to receive it. However, the ball goes long, and Kindaichi attempts a direct by dinking the ball down, but Tanaka picks it up. Kageyama sets to Asahi. He spikes, but Hanamaki manages to receive it. Oikawa prepares to set. Tsukishima sees Kyōtani running up and Oikawa looking towards him, but realizes it was a decoy, and Iwaizumi comes from the back and spikes through Tsukishima and Kageyama's block. Aoba Johsai wins the set 28-26. The audience appears shocked, believing that Karasuno was about to take the thing in straight sets.
Afterwards, Yamaguchi explains how he may have a good serve, but he can't rival Oikawa's serves one bit. He is then complimented by Nishinoya and Tanaka for his performance. However, Yamaguchi explains that only half of his serves were really good, and that he has a long way to go before perfecting his serve. Tanaka then tells his underclassmen that he can worry about improving later and for now, just focus on the really good serves.
The match goes into full sets, and the final battle is about to begin.
Set 3[]
The set begins with Asahi's serve. Kyōtani receives it, and Oikawa sets to Iwaizumi who scores the first point of the set. Oikawa is up to serve. He serves and Asahi receives it, but the ball flies long. He then comments on the speed and power of the ball. Kyōtani hits a direct, and Aoba Johsai leads 2-0. Ukai comments on how Iwaizumi, Kyōtani, and Oikawa are all playing a key role in the match, and if Karasuno doesn't find a way to break down their connection, they'll find themselves falling apart. Oikawa serves again, and Daichi picks it up. Kageyama sets to Tanaka, who scores with a block-out, angering Kyōtani, who replies with a block-out off Tanaka's block. Yahaba then comments on how Kyōtani is a lot more active in the front row. Asahi spikes.
The score is 7-6, Aoba Johsai's favor. Asahi then serves and scores an untouched ace, and Karasuno is now tied with Aoba Johsai. His next serve is received by Hanamaki. Kindaichi then scores a quick. Seijoh continues to lead 8-7, and Oikawa is up to serve again. He hits a powerful serve, but clips the net, and Tanaka picks it up. Tsukishima spikes a quick, Oikawa picks it up. Iwaizumi passes the ball to Kyōtani. Before they jump, Tsukishima alerts Tanaka. Kyōtani spikes but is blocked by Tsukishima, who had switched places with Tanaka to block a line shot. Ennoshita then realizes his prediction was right, which was that Tanaka and Kyōtani had been hitting spikes back at each other since the second set, and that Tsukishima caught on to it. Tsukishima serves and Watari receives it. Oikawa sets to Kyōtani. He spikes towards Tsukishima but the ball lands out. Karasuno now leads 9-8, and Aoba Johsai calls a timeout.
Kyōtani flashes back to his earlier years of volleyball. He was once training at a gymnasium, and some other players had questioned why he was playing a team sport like volleyball when he looks like the type who is rebellious. Kiyoshi believes that Kyōtani wouldn't be playing if there wasn't a reason he liked the sport to begin with. It's revealed that he started loving the sport because his dad had once taken him to watch a game and he was inspired by an ace player he saw playing. Back to present day, Kyōtani gets the ball again, but he spikes into the net. Karasuno continues to lead 10-8. Watari pats Kyōtani and tells him to calm down, but Kyōtani pushes him away.
Oikawa then tells Iwaizumi to scold the second-year again, but before he does so, Irihata subs him out for Kunimi. While the other benchwarmers are scared to even look at Kyōtani, Yahaba quickly scolds him for attitude and informs him that he needs to get his head into the game, but Kyōtani replies that he doesn't care. Yahaba then tells his teammate that Kyōtani is letting himself be taunted and fooled by Karasuno's players and that it's lame. He then reminds Kyōtani that he's been gone for months and yet still gets put in a game, and that not everybody likes it. He tells Kyōtani that the ones needed to win are the ones on the active roster, Kyōtani being one of them. And because of this, he needs to put in his best efforts. Yahaba then says his statement was just the friendly way of saying it. He then pins Kyōtani to the wall and tells him that if he stupidly ruins this game for the third-years, then no one will forgive him. He then says that all the points scored, and points lost contribute to match as a whole, and that Kyōtani needs to just calm down and do his part.
Back on the court, Kunimi goes to spike. Kageyama reads his attack and knows he's going for a feint. He does so and Kageyama is able to pick it up. Nishinoya then performs a Libero set to Tanaka, who scores with a line shot. The score is 12-10, Karasuno's favor. Kyōtani subs back in for Kunimi. Tanaka serves. Kyōtani flashes back to another interaction with Kiyoshi. He talks to him about how he goes to Aoba Johsai, and that Kiyoshi himself couldn't make it in. He starts questioning Kyōtani on his decision of practicing in random places instead of with his team. He then tells him while being on a team is good, there are downfalls to it, but he just has to face that fact while playing. Back to present day, Kyōtani spikes a cross and scores. The Seijoh players then praise Kyōtani. The second-year is now up to serve, and Oikawa hands him the ball, while also complimenting his spike. He serves and Tanaka receives it. Hinata performs a quick, but Watari receives it. Hanamaki then counters with a straight, and Aoba Johsai is now tied. Kyōtani serves again and Nishinoya picks it up. Hinata spikes a quick, but Iwaizumi picks it up, angering Hinata. However, the ball flies long, and Asahi spikes a direct and scores. Karasuno keeps the lead at 13-12, and the teams switch side. Kageyama notices Hinata's anger and realizes that they need to find a way for Hinata to score.
The score is tied 15-15. Oikawa is up to serve. He serves and Daichi receives it, but it's flying back to Aoba Johsai's side. Kindaichi flashes back to when he practiced broad quicks with Oikawa. He was unable to time it right but remembered that Oikawa told him to just ask if he has any complaints. He tells Oikawa that he doesn't seem to be connecting well with Oikawa's set. He tells him that his true point of impact is still one ball's width outward. Kindaichi then scores a broad jump in present day. Aoba Johsai leads once again. Oikawa serves again, and Nishinoya receives it, but the ball flies long again. Tsukishima gets caught in a joust with Kindaichi, which he wins in. Hinata rotates in and Tsukishima is up to serve. Hinata says that Oikawa is a great player, and Kageyama questions if he even knows how Oikawa works. Hinata tells him no, and that he just knows Oikawa is skilled. Hinata then tells Kageyama that it doesn't matter how good Oikawa is, and as long as he's around, Kageyama is the greatest. This surprises Seijoh's players. Kageyama however reminds Hinata that almost all his spikes are getting dug up, angering him. The match resumes. Kyōtani spikes but Hinata and Tanaka get a one-touch. Hinata calls for the ball while jumping sideways. However, he accidently jumps too far in front of the net. Kageyama then sends a set right in front of the net. No one is in front of Hinata, and he smacks down the ball with his wrist and scores. Karasuno now leads at 17-16.
Aoba Johsai fights back with a back attack from Iwaizumi, to which Tanaka replies to with a cross-shot. Hanamaki then scores a line shot. Kindaichi serves next, but subs out for Yahaba. Yahaba uses a jump serve which Asahi receives. Tanaka spikes a straight, but Oikawa picks it up. Yahaba covers for him by setting to Kyōtani. However, the set is too short. To everyone's shock, Kyōtani uses his left hand to spike and scores, and Aoba Johsai leads again. Yahaba serves again and Nishinoya receives it. Hinata runs up to spike. Matsukawa does his same technique of blocking the view for a cross, while Yahaba prepares to receive a line shot. However, Hinata performs a feint, which Yahaba fails to receive in time. The score is tied 19-19, and Yahaba subs out for Kindaichi (Watari). Before doing so, Yahaba tells Kyōtani that the rest is up to him. The match continues. Asahi scores a block-out, which Iwaizumi is able to receive. Hanamaki spikes but is blocked by Daichi, but Matsukawa keeps the ball up. Irihata says to take things slow and careful and score points one at a time. Matsukawa scores with a quick shortly afterwards. Aoba Johsai has reached 20 points. Daichi tells his team to focus, and that they're only one point behind. Kyōtani serves and Daichi receives it. Tanaka then scores with a back attack. Hinata is up to serve and subs out for Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi serves with a jump floater and the ball flies towards Kyōtani. He thinks it's heading out, but then remembers what had happened in the second set. He prepares to receive, but he second-guessed himself, and the ball glances off his fingers. Yachi and Saeko cheer but Iwaizumi ends up receiving the ball, shocking them. Watari sends the ball to Karasuno's side and Tanaka receives it. Karasuno performs a synchronized attack. Asahi gets the ball and spikes, but Iwaizumi picks it up. Oikawa sets to Hanamaki, who scores with a feint. Yamaguchi subs out for Hinata (Nishinoya). Despite not scoring, Ukai still compliments Yamaguchi's serve.
Both teams continue scoring back and forth. Kindaichi performs a quick and scores. The score is 23-22, with Aoba Johsai one away from match point. Saeko questions what will happen if they go into a deuce, but Shimada tells her that they can't afford to go into a deuce. However, Oikawa is up to serve. Karasuno's receivers are ready, but Oikawa performs the serve from the end of the first set and this time, it plunges into the corner of Karasuno's side and scores. Aoba Johsai now has match point 24-22. Karasuno calls a timeout. Daichi says that they need to put everything into receiving the next serve. Takeda thinks to himself about how calm Daichi seems, considering the pressure they are under. The timeout ends, and Hanamaki tells Oikawa to hit a good serve. Oikawa hits a powerful serve. Daichi flashes back to all the times he received serves from Bokuto, Gōra, Ikkei, Kageyama, and Asahi. In present day, he is able to pick up Oikawa's serve and the power behind it sends him flying backwards. Tsukishima and Tanaka run up to spike, but Asahi gets the ball and scores with a back attack. The score is 24-23, still match point for Aoba Johsai. Some people in the stands think Aoba Johsai will still win, as Nishinoya rotates out. Ukai then alerts Takeda to something. As Hinata runs onto the court, Sugawara subs in for Tsukishima.
Saeko notices this and wonders if Karasuno will pull another 6-2 formation like last time. Sugawara high-fives his teammates and then whispers something to Kageyama. Sugawara serves. The ball goes toward the left side. Watari debates whether it will be him or Iwaizumi who picks it up. Iwaizumi receives it in the end, and now he can't attack. Kindaichi calls for the ball, but Hinata notices Kyōtani approaching from the left. Kyōtani gets the ball, but before he spikes, Hinata jumps and manages to block him. In the blink of an eye, Karasuno ties 24-24. Sugawara serves again and Iwaizumi receives it. Hanamaki catches on to the fact that Sugawara is purposely aiming for Iwaizumi to keep him from attacking. Oikawa remarks that despite having an optimistic and kind personality, Sugawara's serves are extremely annoying. He sets to Hanamaki in the back, who spikes, but hits the net. He hopes the ball drops down, but Sugawara receives it at the last second.
Karasuno then performs a synchronized attack. Aoba Johsai's blockers note that don't need to stop an attack, but rather just touch it. Hinata calls for the ball, but Kageyama actually performs a setter dump, shocking everyone. Oikawa runs towards the ball, but doesn't make it in time, and it scores. Karasuno now has match point 25-24. Aoba Johsai calls for a timeout. Yahaba remarks that the fact Kageyama was brave enough to pull off a dump with everything on the line is just another aspect of being a good setter. Oikawa recalls when he had spoken to a former coach several years back. The coach had questioned if Oikawa truly knew if he was at his full potential in mind, body and technique. He had informed Oikawa that if he truly believed someone was born with a natural godlike gift over another, then it would be impossible to beat them regardless of effort, creativeness or the team one is on and continuing to think like this will only lead him down a path of failure and ineptitude. Oikawa was advised not to compare himself to others and that he only has himself to improve upon.
Iwaizumi guesses that if Sugawara serves the ball to the front as he previously did, he will cover it and advises Watari to guard the back. The timeout ends and the players return to the court. Sugawara serves for a 3rd time. The ball goes to the front and Iwaizumi receives it. Oikawa sends the ball to Kyōtani who attempts a cut shot, but Tanaka manages to save it. With the ball up, Sugawara and Kageyama switch positions. Sugawara sets to Asahi. He spikes past a double block, but Hanamaki manages to save it. The ball is heading out of the court but Oikawa chases after it. Hinata and Tanaka call "chance ball" but Oikawa actually signals to Iwaizumi. From outside the court, Oikawa sends the ball toward Iwaizumi, stunning everyone. He crashes into side chairs, but hurries back onto the court. As Iwaizumi spikes, Daichi is able to receive but the ball heads backwards. Mizoguchi cheers but is quickly shocked as Tanaka is able to dive for the ball and send it back. Asahi runs toward the back and performs a spike from that position. He sends the ball back to Seijoh's side. Watari is able to receive it, but the ball goes directly into the net. Kyōtani is able to save the ball but it goes over the net. Daichi calls for Kageyama to do a direct spike, but he is blocked by Kindaichi. The ball hits Sugawara on the head but stays in play. After getting a running distance, Hinata charges forward while calling for the ball. Oikawa silently calls for Kageyama to go at him with his strongest weapon. Kyōtani, Iwaizumi and Kindaichi all jump to block Hinata as Kageyama sends him the ball. Seeing everything slowed down, Hinata sees his best chance of success is deflecting the ball off Kindaichi's hand. He spikes the ball against Kindaichi's hand and Oikawa is unable to receive it. The ball goes out.
Karasuno wins 26-24 and wins the match.
Aftermath[]
The teams line-up to thank one another for the game. After shaking hands with the referees, Daichi recalls how it seemed like Oikawa was able to tell exactly where Hinata's last spike was being aimed and how he had tried to position himself to receive. If the blockers had not changed the trajectory of the ball, there was the possibility Oikawa would have been able to pick it up. Moments later, Irihata speaks with his team about the feelings they are surely experiencing and that the pain of defeat will not easily be forgotten. Despite this, he tells them they played a great game and immediately many of the players begin to cry. Shortly after, the players begin to line up to thank their supporters and Iwaizumi stops and begins to scold himself for not being able to make his last spike count, saying that he should not be able to call himself the ace. Oikawa walks by and pats Iwaizumi on the back, followed by Hanamaki and Matsukawa. After collecting himself, Iwaizumi joins the rest of the team to thank those who had come to support them. The Karasuno team huddle together until Hinata and Nishinoya throw themselves into the team and knock everyone down. The two laugh it off despite being yelled at by Tanaka and Kageyama. Yahaba, Watari, and Kyōtani observe them and promise revenge for their next match.
Later on, Kunimi finds Kindaichi in the restroom and informs him the team is about to leave. The two walk down a hall when they run into Kageyama. Kindaichi immediately refuses to look at Kageyama and they remain silent as he walks by. Just when Kageyama walks past the two, Kindaichi calls out to him but is unable to speak again. Kunimi steps forward and warns Kageyama that things will be different the next time they face each other. Kageyama acknowledges their promise and the two leave. Kageyama rejoins his team outside of the gym in time for Yachi, Saeko, Shimada, and Takinoue to find them and praise them for their victory. Tanaka is embarrassed by his sister being his biggest fan and Yamaguchi is complimented on his serves by Shimada. Takeda reveals to Ukai that he felt nervous at the last play when Hinata was faced against the triple block. Ukai compares it to Asahi's last encounter with the Date Tech's Iron Wall and also assumes that Kageyama had believed that giving Hinata the last hit was their best chance at success. Yachi tells Hinata how impressed she is that he had been able to get through the final block, but Hinata reveals that he noticed Oikawa had reacted to what he was doing and had attempted to save the receive.
In another part of the building, Oikawa is looking for any remaining team members that have not gone to their bus when he runs into Ushijima. Though he tries to walk past, Ushijima says he has words for Oikawa. Ushijima informs Oikawa that he became lost in the heat of the moment and it reflected in his performance. He goes on to tell Oikawa that he did not use his skills to his full potential and only has his pride to blame. Oikawa remarks how Ushijima believes he should have done things differently by having gone to Shiratorizawa Academy instead of Aoba Johsai but adds that there is no team that is guaranteed victory. Although Ushijima agrees on this, he does say that his team does have a greater advantage when it comes to strength, skill and experience. Oikawa is momentarily stunned by Ushijima's claim and says that he is the one who is basing his confidence on worthless pride. He states that he has never regretted his choice of going to Aoba Johsai and warns Ushijima that he will now need to be cautious of Kageyama as he is a great threat now that he is no longer playing alone. Outside the building, Hinata and Kageyama stare at a poster that announces the final round match of Karasuno vs Shiratorizawa and Hinata declares he will show Ushijima how strong Karasuno is.
On the way back to the school, everyone has fallen asleep, leaving Ukai and Takeda to go over how much the players have grown during the year. Ukai credits Takeda with some of that as he had worked so hard to rebuild ties with Nekoma, which led to Karasuno being invited to the summer training camp to play against and build relationships with other powerhouse schools. Takeda is embarrassed at first but then states that Ukai can shower him with praise when they beat Shiratorizawa. Now back at the school, Ukai announces for the team to head to the gym for their meeting. On their way, they meet Michimiya, Aihara, and Chizuru. The girls congratulate the team on their win and making it to the finals. Michimiya quickly notices the bruise on Daichi's face, but Daichi assures her he is alright. At that moment, many students and teachers from inside the school welcome back the team and congratulate their win while announcing their support for the next game. Michimiya then remembers that the sports news channel will be on soon. The team gathers together to watch the broadcast that announces Karasuno had defeated Seijoh who had been heavily favored to win. Tanaka and Nishinoya become annoyed that Oikawa and Seijoh are being shown more than they are but quickly disregard that when the news mentions Shiratorizawa defeating their opponent, Kesenike Nishi High in straight sets and advancing to the finals.
Later that evening, the team is in the gym and listen to how Ukai goes over how they will be facing Shiratorizawa. He points out how strong the team is when he states that throughout Oikawa's 3 years at Aoba Johsai, the team has never won against Shiratorizawa, thus making Shiratorizawa the absolute champions. The members of the team are top-level players with Ushijima just being the beginning. Hinata declares that none of that should matter and is scolded by Daichi believing he is back talking to Ukai. Ukai allows Hinata to speak and he goes on to say that despite everyone having believed they would not win against Seijoh they did so anyway and they should not worry about what others think concerning whether or not they will win against Shiratorizawa. Ukai muses how the team will once again be looked at as the underdogs of the match but declare they should show everyone how tough they really are. Takeda adds that after being called the 'Wingless Crows' for so long, no one can call them this anymore and he believes the team can go farther than they ever have before. When Hinata and Kageyama are leaving the school after a quick encounter with Yachi, Hinata wonders how the Small Giant felt the night before the finals and admits that he's nervous about facing Shiratorizawa. Despite that, he also admits that he's excited about going against Ushijima. Kageyama states that they will win tomorrow and the two fist bump.