ACH Volley Ljubljana better than Kamnik for the second time

In the 9th round of the Sportklub First Volleyball League we watched the second derby of the season in the Kamnik Sports Hall. On one side the Kamnik team in search of new points with captain Gasparini at the helm, and on the other side, the undefeated ACH Volley Ljubljana volleyball players. The latter were clearly the better opponents on Saturday evening and won convincingly with a 3:0 score.

Kamnik - Kamnik Sports Hall, 300 spectators, referees: Kramar Šandl, Jurković (both Croatia).

Calcit Volley : ACH Volley Ljubljana 0 : 3 (-19, -21, -15)

Calcit Volley: Kos 1, Hribar (L), Bregar 2, Purič 4, Kosmina, Gasparini 8, Klobučar 8, Siirila, Brulec, Beravs 1, Plot (L), Mujanović 7, Pavlović 7. Coach: Matija Pleško.

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Pernuš, Šket 8, Rutar, Mašulović 8, Todorović 1, Peruničić, Okroglič, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 14, Pokeršnik 14, Videčnik 7, Kök.  Coach: Mladen Kašić.

The opening game was a great game by the Ljubljana players, who made it clear to their opponents that they came to Kamnik for their 17th consecutive win of the season. The playful Gjorgiev was the real leader of the Orange Dragons on the court. With his excellent blocks and offensive rebounds, he was an unsolvable puzzle for the Kamnik players. Thus, the Ljubljana volleyball team built up a big lead (6:13) in the first half of the opening set, which they maintained in the continuation of the match. The Ljubljana team's setter Todorovič played a great game, where everyone followed the tactical ideas of the head coach Kašić. The Dragons continued to play at a fierce pace and showed a series of impressive moves. The room fell silent when Mašulović made an attractive finish for a 17:9 lead. Thus, the opening set ended in favour of ACH Volley Ljubljana after an error on the opening shot by young Mujanović (19:25).

The start of the second set was more even, but not for long. The home players of Calcit simply made too many mistakes, especially on the reception, to keep up with the pace of the Orange Dragons, who led by five points (8:13). The lead only grew after a mistake by the unfocused Pavlović (8:14). Kamnik woke up a bit later and managed to cut the deficit by two points (20:22). However, ACH Volleyball Ljubljana quickly put things back on track and won the second set (21:25) after another strong finish by Mašulović over the first tempo.

The third set also started on the notes of the multiple national champions from Ljubljana, who led 3:0 after an ace by Šket. After the Orange Dragons took the lead (6:9), Calcit also played better and tied the score at 9 after a successful block and an ace by Purić. However, the Orange Dragons were a much better opponent today, as the set continued, where they escaped to an unassailable seven-point lead (9:16) on an opening shot by Šket. The doubts about the winner were finally cleared with a block by captain Pokeršnik (10:19). The match ended in favour of the Orange Dragons after a serve error by Purić.

Statement of ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Mladen Kašić: "It was a great pleasure to see my players with such commitment. It was also a great motivation ahead of Wednesday's very important match against the Ukrainians."