The Volleyball Goddess || Female Hinata Shouyou

Chapter 16

Karasuno would be playing in the first round, facing a school from Kanagawa Prefecture, Tsubakihara.

They all were jittery and nervous since it was their first time playing in a big tournament. Even Hinata, who had experience playing in the international level, was all antsy. After all, it was also the time the world would see her as an official indoor volleyball player.

20 minutes before the match started, both teams were warming up. As the others were stretching their limbs or doing passing or spiking drills, the gingerhead was staring up at the ceiling, noting how bright the lights were.

She clicked her tongue as she crossed her arms. This was different from gymnasiums in Miyagi, which didn't have such advanced facilities. Years of playing on the sand gave her the advantage of being cautious of ceiling serves, where beach volleyball players used the sun as a distraction. In indoors, players would use the lights on the ceiling instead.

"There she goes again, going into her 'God's Eyes' mode," Sugawara commented as he watched Hinata scanned the entire arena with hawk eyes. "It's all cool until those eyes are directed on you."

"What's with the nickname, Suga-san?" Ennoshita asked with a small snort. "Are you sure you're not exaggerating there?"

He shook his head. "No, I heard Seijoh's Matsukawa and Hanamaki came up with the name themselves. Even the setter from Shiratorizawa was left shaking in fear when he saw the look in her eyes even though it wasn't directed at him. If it was that lethal to the non-target, I'm not sure those who are actually the target managed to not cower in fear," he stated.

Not long after, the match has officially started. Tsubakihara was leading with several points ahead while Karasuno was still trying to adapt with the new environment. Kageyama couldn't do his usual precise sets until he get the hang of it so they decided to hold things together until he get his accuracy back on track.

"Forget the quick set! Focus on their left!" A player from Tsubakihara said to his teammates.

"Huh?" A feminine voice said, making him turn to see Hinata giving him a piercing stare, her now slightly longer fringes casted a shadow over her eyes, "Why wouldn't we use quick sets?"

He shuddered in fear. This is the same girl who beat Ushiwaka in a joust we're talking about!, he reprimanded himself.

After she said that, it was true Kageyama tossed the ball to the left, to Asahi who slammed it down even as Hinata leapt at the right side.

The match continued, Kageyama set the ball to Hinata again, grimacing when he realized it was too high but it was still enough for her to smack it down in full force, sending it flying to the stands.

"Yuh! Get into it, Hinata!" Tanaka barked gleefully at the sight of the look of wary and disbelief on Tsubakihara's faces.

"There she is, folks! Karasuno's number 10 and only female player, Hinata Shouyou! She's the shortest attacker in this year's tournament but she's not someone to be taken lightly!" The commentator exclaimed.

"Shouyou!!!" William shouted gleefully over the cheers with Hatsumi clapping her stick-like balloons with a wide smile. Natsu was screaming on the top of her lungs, yelling, "That's my Nee-chan!!"

Minutes later, Kageyama finally gained his accuracy back and tossed the ball exactly in front of Hinata's hand before she hit it down before Tsubakihara could react.

"And it's finally here! Karasuno's lethal weapon, the freakishly fast quick set of rookies Kageyama and Hinata!" Another commentator remarked with a smile. "We've finally got to see it!"