Kurai exhales as he looks up. Eyes glowing as he spins the ball for his first serve. The whistle blows as Kurai tosses the ball. Sprinting forward and flying into the air. Slamming the ball over the net. Sato gets under the ball but hits the floor, the ball going towards the Bleachers. Sato turning.
"No!"
Yuki appears under the ball, reaching out to bring it up, but knocking it further to the bleachers. Yuki hits the ground and rolls silently
2 : USA 23-21 Japan : 0
Kurai looks up as the ref signals for a second serve.
"I don't wanna give up on Japan yet, but these next few rallies are going to hurt"
"To watch, for sure!"
Kurai tosses the ball and jumps forward.
The japanese libero focuses as the ball flies over the net. 'Right, wait- that curve-' The ball violently turns left at the last second, hitting the court. The Libero gritted his teeth silently. 'What kind of serve.. It floated like a float serve but with his typical speed!' Kurai exhales.
Kurai tosses the ball as the arena goes silent.
The whistle blows twice as Kurai and Sean fist bump each other. Kyle smirks as Max watches the Japan Team huddle silently.
"Thank you for the game!!"
Kurai turns and starts walking into the locker room tunnels. Sean beside him walking silently. Kurai exhales and dries his face off with a towel.
"See, Sean? You may have lost against Japan in the VNL last year…" Sean looks up as Kurai smirks slightly. "But now you have me"
The hum of the AC filled the meeting room. Everyone positioned themselves amongst the locker rooms benches. Cheering and celebrating. Tyler smiles as he looks around at the party. Coach Copley walked in, smiling with arms crossed behind his back.
"Good job, team… keep it up" Everyone looks over as Copley looks around.
"Kurai, keep up the good work, but try and keep your movement to a minimum, along with how much you're dragging your teammates, we want a high chance at keeping our stamina longer while maintaining our strengths, got it?" Kurai nods.
"Yes sir" Copley turns to look at the others.
"Max, Tyler, work on improving your coordination in getting those double blocks up, we can't rely on Sean and Kurai to assist with blocks when they're as busy in the rally as they already are. Maybe give them some breathing room" Tyler silently nods as Max smiles.
"Got it, sir!" Copley turns to Sean and Kyle.
"Kyle, Jordan, Sean… keep it up. Keep doing what you do best" Kyle smirks with a thumbs up as Sean nods. Jordan silently looked away. Coach Copley smiles. "Now, with such an amazing game against Argentina and Japan under our belts, we must keep our due diligence, we can't let our pride get the best of us, but we must also maintain our momentum. Keep that in mind… got it?" Everyone agrees in unison as Coach Copley lifts his hand, waving. "Good. Let's go eat out for a little treat, I'll pay"
The large Team USA transport bus pulls into the lot of the large restaurant. Coach Copley walked in front and held open the door.
"Find a seat together, order what you want, It's all on me, watch your head" Kurai and Sean ducking their head under the top of the door frame. Walking over in a big, loud group to the big tables, guided by the waiters. Kurai sitting at a table with Coach Copley, Sean, Kyle, Tyler, and Max. Coach Copley standing and lifting his hands.
"Everyone, listen up! Let's celebrate our win with a meal for the whole team, choose what you want, and I'll pay for it… and treat the staff here well, they're equals with a job, just as you play Volleyball" everyone nods and voices in agreement. "And talk about anything except Drills," Sean chuckles.
"What? No spike Drills? What am I supposed to spike then?" Kurai picks something out and exhales.
"Just don't spike the table, Sean" Max laughs as Copley sits down. Max pointing at Sean.
"Yeah, save some energy for our Finale match against Brazil!" Sean exhales.
"I plan on it," Kyle leans over.
"I'll hold him accountable if he launches a salad onto the floor" Tyler looks at his menu. Exhaling as he groans at the options.
"...Too many options…!" Max leans over, pointing at Tyler's menu.
"Bro, just pick something, you won't get extra points for staring at the Chicken Wings… and in my opinion, I'd get the Pork Briskets, this place is good for them!" Tyler chuckles.
"Sure" Sean exhales.
"Good choice, I'm going to get the Breakfast meal deal" Kurai looks over as the Waiter walks over, pointing out his choice to them.
"Don't forget dessert, Sean, Max… gotta end on a sweet note"