Karasuno vs Neighborhood Association was a practice match between Karasuno and several of their alumni plus Sugawara, Nishinoya and Asahi. The match ended in the Neighborhood Team's victory in straight sets. This match also regained Asahi's confidence and his love for volleyball. Afterwards, he decided to rejoin as the team's ace.
Match[]
Set 1[]
The score is 1-1. Sugawara sets to Takinoue who scores with a quick. He then compliments Sugawara for the set. Hinata comments that Sugawara is doing really good to which Daichi comments that it's because he's the offcial setter. Nishinoya compliments Sugawara too, to which Sugawara comments that it was just because the spiker adjusted to his setting style. He also explains how they need to get a handle on fast attacks and that they can't rely on one person to carry the game. After this, Nishinoya tells Sugawara that he's pretty cool, to which Sugawara replies that it's a huge compliment coming from Nishinoya. Asahi overhears the conversation and thinks to himself about about Sugawara has become much more of a leader than the last time they talked.
Hinata and Kageyama perform their quick, which surprises the neighborhood players, who comment on both Hinata's jumping power and also the accuracy of Kageyama's set. Takeda then starts bragging to Ukai who stares in confusion. Asahi is also surprised and thinks back to when Hinata told him that because of Kageyama's sets, Hinata can see the view on the opposing side completely clear.
Asahi then flashes back to the Date Tech match from a few months ago, to which Asahi gets blocked several times by Aone and Futakuchi, causing Karasuno to lose by a ton. He eventually realizes he can't do anything about the wall and stops calling for the ball. Sugawara then sets to Daichi, but he gets blocked as well, and Karasuno loses 25-15. Back at the school, Noya is seen in tears and comments that he was worthless during the match and was unable to pick up any blocked balls. Asahi hears him and tells Nishinoya that it was his fault as he was the one who called for the ball many times but got blocked each and every time.
Sugawara says it was his fault because he was the one who sent the ball to Asahi every time. Asahi comments that whoever it got sent to, it wouldn't matter, as the outcome would be the same. Nishinoya denies this and grabs Asahi, saying he doesn't know what will happen until he hits the ball. Asahi also steps on a broom and breaks it. Nishinoya then tells Asahi that if he leaves the club, he will never forgive him. The next day, Asahi had missed morning practice, and was later approached by Nishinoya who asked why he didn't show up, to which Asahi replies that he's lost interest in volleyball and that he'll hold back Sugawara and Nishinoya if he goes back. Nishinoya then yells at him, which triggers the Vice-Principal, who tries calming down Noya, but he retaliates and knocks down the VP's plant. This caused him to be suspended for a week and also banned from club activities for a month.
Back to present day, Tanaka is praising Hinata for his spike while Kageyama tells him he's up to serve. Asahi then tells Nishinoya that he was wrong, and declares that no matter how many times he's stopped, he wants to keep trying to break through the wall. Nishinoya then prepares for Hinata's serve and comments that his job is to keep the ball in play.
Hinata serves and hits the net, which Shimada receives, but it's not clean. Uchizawa then calls out to Asahi and sends the ball to him. He then attempts to spike, but the ball is still blocked. The ball is going towards the ground, but Nishinoya receives it, shocking everyone. Tanaka recalls earlier when Nishinoya told him he practiced blocked-ball retrieval during the time he was banned. He then yells at Asahi that he needs to keep asking the setter for the ball until he scores, because he's the ace and needs to score for his team. Kageyama tells Sugawara to send the ball to Asahi, but he is also taunted by Tsukishima, which angers him.
Shimada calls for the ball, but then Asahi yells Sugawara's name and calls for the ball instead. He gets the set he likes and prepares to spike. Asahi reminds himself that is not alone and that he will land the spike. He does so and scores right past Kageyama and Tsukishima's arms. This makes Daichi, Sugawara and Hinata happy. Takeda then comments on the power and the sound the spike made. Hinata comments that he does not the power and force that Asahi has, but he has spirit, and will be the next ace for Karasuno.
The score is 5-7, Neighborhood's favor. They serve and Ennoshita receives it. Kageyama prepares to set while Ukai tries to determine who the ball will go to. To his surprise, Kageyama sends a fast set to Hinata on the right, and he scores untouched. This shocks Ukai, Asahi, & Nishinoya. Asahi comes to the conclusion that Hinata was right when he talked about Kageyama's sets and being able to see the other side. Noya then praises Hinata and is confused on how he pulled he off. Ukai is also confused, and questions how Hinata is so sure that the ball will come to him.
Asahi then scores a line shot. Both teams continue scoring back-to-back. Ukai then questions why Takeda didn't tell him about how good the team was before, but Takeda reminds him that he mentioned it several times. Daichi spikes from the right and the score is 19-24, Neighborhood's favor.
Ukai questions why Hinata is a middle blocker, as it seems his only good quality is the super quick attack, and he's unsure if he can actually block based off his height. Takeda then remembers that Hinata is inspired by the Tiny Giant, and he's going head-to-head with the ace right now.
Daichi serves and Nishinoya receives it. Sugawara sends the ball to Asahi, but Hinata jumps and is ready to block, which shocks the 3rd Year. He however still manages to glance the ball off Hinata's hands and send it towards the back, scoring the final point of the set, and Neighborhood wins 25-19.
Set 2[]
While Hinata stares in shock and also excitement at Asahi, Kageyama tries to tell him that his blocking form is wrong. Hinata then comments on how awesome aces are. The score is 2-2. Asahi goes to spike straight where Hinata is. Daichi keeps telling Hinata to get prepared to receive, but it's too late, and he is hit in the face by the ball and is knocked onto the floor, scaring everyone. Tsukishima comments that it's Hinata fault he got hit and that there's no need to feel bad for him. Hinata laughs at how it happens all the time, but then is scared when he sees Kageyama's angry aura ahead of him. He questions why Hinata is spacing out during a game, but quickly figures out it's due to the fact that Hinata wants to be the ace and is jealous of Asahi's power.
The game resumes and Kageyama tells Takinoue & Asahi that he's setting to Hinata next. Kageyama tells Hinata that despite having good speed and jumping, he could never be the ace of a team like Karasuno, but then comments that with him around, he's the greatest. Hinata runs to the left, and lures the blockers to him, only to run to the right and spike and score. He then comments again on how Hinata is great asset for having his quicks and also being a good decoy.
The score is 20-18, Neighborhood's favor. Shimada comments that they have to kick it up a notch. He then performs a jump floater serve. Hinata prepares to receive, but the ball drops down and Hinata is unable to get it. Shimada laughs at the faceplant, and Takinoue calls him a jerk. Yamaguchi is surprised, while Kiyoko reminds him to change the score. He scores 3 more aces, until Daichi manages to receive one. Hinata goes to spike and the blockers are all ready, but the ball goes to Tanaka instead, who spikes, but Nishinoya receives it, surprising Tanaka. Sugawara then sets to Asahi, who scores the final point.
The match ends in Neighborhood's victory.
Aftermath[]
Asahi rejoins as Karasuno’s ace. The team prepares for their upcoming match against Nekoma.
Trivia[]
- An error is shown in the jump floater scene. The score is 20-18 after Karasuno scores, but then Neighborhood serves despite not scoring.