Volleyball League Practice Catch-all

[bluecastleace]

Who: primarily those who signed up to participate in the Void’s new volleyball league, but anyone and everyone is welcome!
What: volleyball practice for the new Void volleyball league
Where: the underground gymnasium
When: early December
Content Warnings: none yet, but will update if necessary!


((ooc: this log is gonna be used for a few practice sessions, as well as a practice game and other such things! Iwaizumi will be sharing his knowledge with everyone and acting as a coach of sorts until the practice game, so feel free to use the TLs to interact with him, or make your own TLs under the sections to start your own threads with your teammates or others participating! also, if you are not a player but want to be in the audience or are playing another role, feel free to make TLs reflecting that! everyone is welcome (walk/ins included!) If you have questions or want to plot, feel free to add me on Plurk at pantheraliam))

Comments

ota!

[rotomphone]

[ though he has little volleyball experience besides pick-up games in Hullbury on warmer summer days, Raihan certainly looks the part of a player - he's taken off his trademark hoodie for once, revealing the full extent of the Hammerlocke Gym uniform. its sporty nature can't be denied, and that in itself is giving him some movtivation! it's always important to look the part, after all.

considering team 2's collective lack of experience (including his own), winning the first set was actually a bit of a surprise. he'd like to give himself a little bit of credit for being a good blocker thanks to just straight up being 6'5", but it was most definitely a team effort - he's quite enthusiastic about encouraging everyone on a job well done, though their job is far from over.

unfortunately, the momentum doesn't quite keep up. hard as they try, the tie is broken by team 1 and leaves their win short-lived. as per his post-loss ritual, Raihan makes sure to take a selfie after the latter two games have concluded - even outside of a Pokémon battle, it's good to remember that sting of defeat. ]

We started out strong, but a loss is a loss. As long as I looked good, I won't complain!

[ he's a little pouty for a little while, but it just as quickly turns back into a smile as the teams begin to mingle. if you're a member of team 1, Raihan will be offering his hand to you for a proper, sportsmanlike shake. ]

Good game! I can recognize good team synergy when I see it, and you guys definitely had the stuff.

Re: ota!

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi accepts Raihan’s handshake gladly, a smile on his face, still breathless from the exertion of that final set.]

Hey, it was one hell of a game, man. You took that first set from us like it was no problem. I’m impressed.

[He pauses a minute then to take a generous swig from his water bottle, using the back of his hand to wipe his mouth as he pulls it away.]

Not sure if I introduced myself properly before. [He was a bit busy orchestrating this whole circus with the last few days of practice.] Iwaizumi Hajime - just Iwaizumi, though.

You’re Raihan, right? You’re a tough player, man.

[rotomphone]

[ once their handshake ends, he takes his own moment to wipe the sweat from the back of his neck with the towel slung over his shoulder. it's been a while since he's exerted himself like this - it's refreshing! ]

Thanks! That means a lot coming from the only non-amateur in the bunch. [ he'd seen Iwaizumi earlier, explaining the rules to those unfamiliar with the game. ] The one and only! Guess you could say I've got a bit of a competitive streak.

[ without the ability to get out that competitiveness in a proper battle, another sport is probably the next best thing. ]

[bluecastleace]

I can tell. [And he seems pretty pleased to be saying so. Volleyball - or any sport, really - is nothing without decent competition, and Raihan was definitely among one of the strongest players on the other side of the court today.]

Volleyball is my sport if anything - it’s pretty much all I do back home.

Have you played before this?

[rotomphone]

I'm glad it's obvious! [ he grins widely; if there's one thing Raihan likes, it's being noticed. ] I don't doubt that - I reckon you could wipe the floor with all of us if this was a one-on-one competition. Is it a professional thing, or just for love of the game?

[ both are valid, but he's not sure if Iwaizumi is even old enough to be a professional... but then again, what does he know? it's not like they're even from the same world, so who's to say high school kids can't be volleyball pros? ]

Not habitually, but I have a few games under my belt. I've got the natural advantage, so why not make use of it?

[ when he finds himself in Hulbury for work and needing a break, he makes a point to bother Nessa to head to the beach with him. it usually ends up with her taking a swim and him taking advantage of the setting for some selfies, but they usually end up hitting a volleyball over a net a few times once they get bored. a model and an online influencer are bound to gather attention like that, but it at least gives them enough bodies to make a proper team. ]

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi can’t help but preen a little at the idea he’d be a professional, but even so, he shakes his head.]

Not professional - not really. I’m just on my high school team, but it’s a powerhouse in our prefecture. We definitely put the work of a professional in. [Oikawa would accept no less - neither would Iwaizumi.]

I’m vice captain and ace. I know a couple of guys on my team that’ll probably go pro some day, but I’m not sure if that’s where my path’ll take me.

[He smirks a little (perhaps with some vague chagrin) at what he assumes is a comment on Raihan’s height. He can’t help but be a little jealous, though he’d never admit that.]

You’ve definitely got an advantage there, yeah. You’d be one hell of a middle blocker. Not that height’s all there is to it, but it definitely doesn’t hurt.

[rotomphone]

So you're high on the totem pole! That's nothing to bat an eye at. [ he smiles, genuine and reassuring. ] Go at your own pace. You're young; you've got plenty of time to figure it out.

[ he's speaking like he's not only a few years older than Iwai... but no matter! dishing out advice is what Gym Leaders do - call it force of habit, even if it puts him at odds with his youthful looks. ]

Think you could give me a few pointers, then? Today was fun - I wouldn't mind working on my game a little more.

[bluecastleace]

No time like the present.