I would say it is less "realistic" compared to Haikyuu, but still really entertaining.
The main character had one of his Achilles tendons cut and can only serve. So his role is pinch server. At least in the beginning, later he will be on the field, too.
I would suggest you should read around till c25 and see, if it grows on you. I think the art is quite old school and oddly fitting.
And all characters grow, have plausible pasts and got similarities compared to Haikyuu.
If I had to make a reference for MC, think Yamaguchi if he hadn't met Tsuki and gotten injured in middle school.
As for the story it is a little more realistic than sensational. Characters took bit longer to grow on me than in Haikyuu but i think it's more because of how story is lead differently
Give me your opinion, please. I wanna read this but with 100+ chapters and an art style that isn't exactly my cup of tea, I want to know people's opinion first. Please, Tell me what you think are pros and cons of this.
Also, just talking about some other sport mangas and what I liked/disliked so people can just say "oh, I think you're gonna like this/dislike that":
I was a hardcore Haikyuu!! fan and loved everything about it.
Ienjoyed but was also very frustrated with Blue Lock and All Out for opposite reasons (BL felt too individualistic, while AO felt like there wasn't a group effort)
Dogsred/supinamarada were fun but didn't make me SUPER fan, idk why, maybe it was too dense on informations/exposition?
Ao Ashi and Days felt too slice of life, rather than sport focused, like coming of age, youth days, instead of competition, friendship, my future career. I generally hate romance in non-romance works — even mlm romance, if I'm reminded of it every other chapter, affects the actions of the MC or the villain (cough cough Tokyo revengers cough cough) it just ruins for me.
Kowloons' Ball Parade and Rugby Rumble were VERY fun for me but they stopped before reaching chapter 50 :(
And I LOVE Dig It, after so many post-Haikyuu disappointments, dig it make me crawl back to sport mangas and is the reason I found this one.