Winner [Haikyu!! x OC] (Completed)

Embarrassing

Niiyama Tech High School isn't impressive at first glance. They're a team of average height, and they don't have any flashy, stand-out players. But they're sure putting up a fight.

We took the first set, 25-20. Now, we're locked at a tied score, neither team pulling ahead.

Niiyama Tech is the type of team that always manages to connect. No matter where we aim, or how fast our attacks are, their defense is somehow always there to dig the ball. Their receives aren't perfect, but there's always a teammate there to cover. Their attacks aren't stunningly powerful, but they simply keep the ball in the air until we mess up.

I lean over my clipboard, tapping my lip with my pen. In tennis, we call this type of opponent a backboard player, because it's almost like you're playing against a wall rather than a person. The ball keeps coming back and coming back and coming back until you get so frustrated that you make a mistake. It's incredibly difficult to play against, since the backboard player is in complete control of the momentum.

I think our team is feeling that frustration right now. They know our combinations can mix up the defense enough to score. It's just a matter of knowing when to use which attack. Oikawa has done a great job of helping everyone stay calm while he figures that out.

I glance over at the boys standing in the area for substitute players. It's a good thing Mad Dog isn't playing right now. Even standing with the other boys, it's obvious that he's seething. He would probably lose his mind along with his temper if he played against this team.

Returning my gaze to the point playing out in front of me, I start clenching and unclenching my fist. How can we get the momentum on our side?

"Sorry, cover!"

The cry snaps me out of my thoughts to see Oikawa running toward my side of the court to catch the receive, sending the ball back up and behind him.

Kunimi jumps, his form giving no hint as to where he's going to spike. His arm swings forward, slowing at the very last moment to tap the ball over the block.

Two Niiyama Tech players dive, one of them managing to get a finger under the ball, but not enough to allow for a follow-up hit.

That's one way to get some momentum.

"Nice point, Kuni-chan!" I yell.

The first-year turns slightly and gives me a thumbs up.

On the next point, Iwa digs Niiyama Tech's spike. It's a perfect receive that allows Kindaichi to score with a center quick attack before the opponent can recover.

"Let's go!" I shoot to my feet, punching the air. This is the first time we've scored two points in a row in a while. "Nice receive, Iwaizumi-san!" I shout, knowing how hard he's worked on his receives to be able to do just that.

I sit back down on the edge of the bench. "Come on, guys, keep this momentum." This very well could be the turning point of the match. If we win this point, we get the momentum, and we can run with it. If Niiyama Tech wins the rally, we go back to fighting point for point.

One-touch off the block.

Makki passes the ball to Oikawa and immediately starts an approach.

We also have Kunimi, Iwaizuimi, and Kindaichi. My guess is that Oikawa will trust this ball to Iwa-san. He knows we need the momentum, and Iwa is his fail-safe.

Oikawa jumps, both hands up for the set. Then one hand crosses over the other, slamming the ball into the court on the other side of the net.

A setter dump.