The semifinal gym was louder than any gym Leo had ever been in.
Not the cathedral from the state tournament. This was a high school gym, smaller, more intimate, with bleachers that shook when the crowd stomped. The opposing team's fans were packed on one side, their faces painted, their voices hoarse. Westbrook's fans were on the other side, outnumbered but louder.
Leo stood at the edge of the court, his whistle around his neck, his knee throbbing, his heart pounding. Derek was beside him, his ankle wrapped in a fresh compression sleeve, his eyes locked on the other side of the net.
Their opponent was the fourth seed—a team from the south that had knocked off the fifth seed in a five-set thriller. They were big. Physical. Experienced. Their captain was a senior outside hitter who'd alre
