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

[bazooker]

[Living as a rich heiress did have its setbacks and this was one of them. She wasn't the most athletically gifted person and she knew it.

Shaking her hand, she could already see the red marks on the side of her thumb.]

I think I'll be okay, I'm not use to playing this sport. All I need is practice despite the difficulty! [Even if she kept on failing at it!]

[bluecastleace]

You’re not wrong, but I did say I’d teach you what I know, right?

[His smile endures - looks like he won’t be taking no for an answer.]

It’s gonna help you a lot to bend your knees. It’s a work out at first, but that way you can jump to meet the ball wherever it’s coming from. Like this. [He demonstrates, bending his knees until he’s low to the ground, and shuffling a bit with his arms in the up and readied.] With your arms like this, you can shift into a bump or a set depending on what you need.

Just give the position a try.

[bazooker]

[Such is the life where she was so sheltered, she didn't know how to play any sports. However, as she looked to him, she followed his lead in bending her knees before moving her arms similar to his]

You mean like this? This position isn't one I am use to but I will have to learn to get use to it.

[She said before shifting her weight from side to side] So that's how volleyball players are able to hit despite this stance...

[bluecastleace]

Right. [Another encouraging smile.] Just like that.

Now I bet when I toss the ball your way you’ll be able to hit it much easier. You wanna try?

[bazooker]

Yes, let’s!

[She said cheerfully! If she was going to help her teammates win, she needed to get better.

As she placed herself into position, she was ready to hit the ball!]

[bluecastleace]

Alright, Haru. Here it comes!

[He gives her an easy bump, one that’s not too powerful in strength, and one that should be easy enough to hit with her knees bent and arms readied.]

You can do it!

[bazooker]

[And just like that, Haru attempts to hit the ball as it comes her way. With a hit, she manages to get it over the net! Just like that, there was a huge smile appearing on her face]

Did you see that? I did it, Iwaizumi-san! I managed to get it over the net!

[While it might have been an easy pass, it was still enough to brighten her day!] I thought it would be difficult but it wasn't at all! I just need more practice.

[bluecastleace]

Hell yeah! You see that, Haru? I knew you could do it.

[In his excitement (it is exciting), he gives her a light slap on the back, just as if she were one of his teammates at home, but then freezes up a little - was that too much?]

Ha. Sorry. But you got it now, huh? Let’s keep working on getting those balls over. You’ll get the hang of it in no time, I know it.

[bazooker]

[While she didn't mind, she was surprised by the action. For a moment, she just stared at him wondering what to say next.]

There's no need to apologize, I am grateful you are comfortable enough to do that! It means you think of me as a teammate in this battle!

[Was this a potential friendship after all??]

[bluecastleace]

[That brings out a smile, and any nervousness over being awkward seems to fade away.]

Of course. You said you were thinking of joining my team, huh? That would make us teammates, wouldn’t it?

[He likes the way she refers to the experience as a “battle”, also. It’s not out of the realm of something he might say himself.]

[bazooker]

Yes, it would! I never been in a team outside of my group of friends so it's such an exciting feeling to know I am part of another one!

[She said before attempting to get back into position.] I would like to continue practicing if that is okay with you.

[bluecastleace]

You’re right about that. [Haru wouldn’t be imagining it if she found his tone just a touch wistful.] There isn’t anything else like it in the world.

[But enough of that sappy stuff. He gets himself in position again to set her another ball.]

Back at it then! [And he sets it her way for another bump.] You got this, Haru!

[bazooker]

Yes, let's!

[She shouted before another ball comes her way. This time, she wanted to make sure her hit would be stronger than before. As the ball comes ever so closer, she made sure to hit it with everything she got!

As she does so? She manages to get it across the net but...?]

Ah, watch out! [It may or may not be a little too strong!]

[hightouch]

[At this point, it's practically a ritual for Shouyou to greet the ball with his face or some other, unfortunate part of his body when he's someplace new. He's just standing off to the side, working on his ball control and minding his own business when something slams into his face.]

Gwah! [With a yelp, Shouyou goes flying. To add insult to injury, the ball he'd been practicing with bounces off his chest and goes rolling off, too.]

[bluecastleace]

[Oh no. A familiar “gwah!” from the other side of the court - and who should it be coming from but none other than his would-be kohai, Hinata Shoyo? Iwa’s eyes go a little wide, but even as he’s crossing the net to check on the poor kid, he’s laughing.]

Hey Number 10, you know you’re supposed to receive the ball with your arms, right?

[True, Hinata was not even playing with them, so naturally he wasn’t expecting this, but Iwa can’t help himself - this kid is like a ball magnet!]

Shake it off, nerd. You okay?

[He doesn’t even stop to consider how cruel he might sound to Haru right now.]

[bazooker]

[As soon as Haru saw the ball hit someone, she immediately rushed over toward this new person!]

Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hit you! Are you okay? [She said to Shou before looking at Iwa. She didn't know why he was so mean toward him but Haru couldn't help but speak up.]

Iwaizumi-san, we need to get this person to safety! We need to make sure he is well enough to stand up!

[hightouch]

[And this is why Haru immediately becomes one of Shouyou's favorites. As needed as her concern is, when Shouyou's already pushing himself off the floor and shaking the hit off, it's appreciated anyway.]

I'm okay! [He grins up at her, looking no worse for wear.] This happens a lot during practice.

[Not exactly the most reassuring thing to say, but he's already turning toward Iwaizumi and sticking his tongue out.]

I know that, Iwaizumi-san! I just wasn't looking this way or I would've got it.

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi flusters a little when Haru looks to him - it’s not the most approving look. Then he tosses a hand behind his head and gives an encouraging laugh.]

He’s fine, see? Like he said, this kind of stuff happens all the time - especially to this—-

[He pauses. He should be nice, at least in front of Haru. He drops his hand and smiles - he can’t help it, it was funny!]

Especially to Hinata. [He sticks his tongue out back.] You’re okay, right doofus?

This is my kohai. It’s all in good fun.

[That’s right. Hinata may not be his kohai back home, but what else is he to call him here? He’s a snot-nosed little first year who Iwaizumi, the upperclassman, is guiding. Kohai! He’s gotten pretty used to the idea even in Hinata’s short time here (and besides, he’s in a good mood right now).]

Get off the floor and introduce yourself. You’re getting me in trouble here.

[bazooker]

[Even with his words, Haru wasn't sure how to feel about it.]

Even so, I would much rather have him be on sit on the sidelines for a moment. I don't want another ball to hit him.

[Maybe it was during her time in Mementos that made her fully aware of what happens when one pushes themselves. Or maybe it was how she felt guilty for accidentally hitting Hinata with the ball but she would much rather have him be safe than sorry.

That being said, she turned toward Hinata.]

Even if getting hit is common, I still want to apologize for what I did. Do you need some rest?

[hightouch]

[In any other situation, Shouyou would probably be pleased that Iwaizumi's claimed him as a kouhai, but frankly, when someone as nice and pretty as Haru's fussing over him, his fluster just overwhelms everything else.]

N-no... [Sudden flashbacks to his first few interactions with Shimizu-senpai, complete with the obvious blush. Shouyou scoots back an inch or two, then scrambles to his feet.]

I'm fine, I promise! I don't need to rest or anything. [He shoots Iwaizumi a pleading look, not caring if this is going to result in more teasing later.] Right, senpai?

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi’s rampant homosexuality leaves him immune to such female interactions, so much so that for a minute he can’t figure out why Hinata is suddenly blushing and stammering like a moron. He’s about to say something about it when realizes, but then—-

[Oh yes, he is definitely going to be teased about this later. He should feel damn lucky that they’ve only known each other for a short time or he’d be teased right now in front of Haru.

[Instead, Iwaizumi walks over to him and gives him a decidedly rough slap on the back, grinning a bit.]

This Number 10 is a fighter, Haru. He’ll be fine. If you’d seen him on the court during a game, I don’t think you’d worry a bit.

In fact...[He turns so that only Hinata can see the wicked grin on his face.] I bet he’d probably play with us right now.

[Back to Haru, sweet as an angel.]

You’re doing a good job getting the ball over the net. We should see if you can keep it from making it to the opponent’s hands. [Or heads.]

Besides, Hinata could stand to work on his receives.

[bazooker]

[Haru was no stranger when it came to crushes. She had her fair share with it herself. What was surprising was how fast it came to be when she just met Hinata. When she saw his blush, she knew right away.

It was Haru's turn to feel flustered as this wasn't what she intended on doing! What a strange thing for someone to act this way around her!]

I-If you say so! As long as you are okay, then there is nothing more I can do!

[She mumbled before clearing her throat. As she looked back at Hinata and then back at Iwa, she just wanted to continue practicing!]

Then let's continue, I wish to improve on how to play volleyball! I want to be an asset to the both of you!

[hightouch]

[Haru makes the right call to divert Shouyou's attention back to volleyball; his love and enthusiasm for it tends to overwhelm anything else, even a potential crush.

He lights back up again--after giving Iwaizumi a stink eye for his comment, because wow rude--and practically bounces in place, embarrassment forgotten.]

Don't worry, there's a lot I need to work on, too! And your spike was really good! [He's already edging toward the court, impatient to start.] Besides, Iwaizumi-san's right, I really need to work on my receives. I'll play ball boy for you two!

[bluecastleace]

[Hinata ceases to be flustered to Iwa’s grand disappointment, but at the very least they’ll have a ball boy now. It’s still a win. He gives Hinata a playful nudge and jogs back over to the other side of the court, gesturing for Haru to follow.]

Come on, then! We’re gonna win that next practice game, but only if we keep drilling! You’re up, Haru!

[bazooker]

Right! I'll keep it up!

[Crisis averted! With the volleyball on their minds, she made sure to work extra hard on this practice session! As she continued to play, it made sure to focus mostly on how she hit the ball. As she continued to hit it above the net, it was a lot more challenging than she thought.

However, she didn't seem to mind as she felt that she was improving. Was this what it was like to play sports like this with a bunch of friends? How odd and yet, fun at the same time!

After trying to spike the ball once more, it barely went over the net. Placing her hands on her knees, it was clear a break was needed as she started to pant a little. And yet, there was a part of her that wanted to keep going.]

I'm sorry, I really should have tried a little harder on that one.