ACH Volley Ljubljana breaks the Kamnik hall curse this year

In the second match of the grand final of the Sportklub First Volleyball League, held at the Kamnik Sports Hall, we watched the showdown between ACH Volley Ljubljana and Calcit Volley from Kamnik. The Slovenian champions proved to be the better side even on the challenging Kamnik court, recording their second victory in the final series, which may decisively continue in Ljubljana this Wednesday.

Kamnik – Sports Hall Kamnik, spectators: 400, referees: Markelj, Milojević.

Calcit Volley : ACH Volley Ljubljana 0 : 3 (-28, -22, -23)

Calcit Volley: Planinšič 1, Vinkovič, Lazar 2, Klobučar, Karadža Pevc (L), Košenina (L), Nikolić 2, Okroglič 7, Mitrašinović 6, Brunet 13, Oman, Bakonji 3, Dulchev 11, Pavlovič 3. Coach: Mladen Kašič

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Marković, Kržič 7, Šket 17, Najdič 2, Marovt 11, Šen, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev, Sešek, Pokeršnik 7, Videčnik 4, Song. Coach: Matjaž Hafner

The home team took the initiative at the start of the second match of the final series, successfully blocking captain Gjorgiev to lead 5:2. Following this, young Marovt stepped onto the Kamnik court floor, replacing the captain of the Orange Dragons, and brought the necessary energy. The 19-year-old from Braslovče first attacked powerfully, then served an ace to bring Ljubljana within one point (13:14). In the second half of the set, we saw a remarkable duel and a fight for every point. Calcit players started the final stretch with a minimal advantage, but young Najdič with an ace caused a turnaround at 23:22. He was joined by Kržič and Marovt, who each added a point from an attack and an ace, enough for a victory in the opening set, which ended with a block by Videčnik at the 22nd point.

The Dragons dictated the pace from the start of the second set. With aggressive serves and Najdič effectively engaging his teammates, who returned the favor with effective attacks, the Kamnik team couldn't keep up with the spirited Slovenian champions. The victory in the second set came after yet another of many errors by Kamnik on their serve. Although the Ljubljana players made more errors in the first set, they still won this set as well.

Calcit started the third set with a slightly changed lineup, Bakonji playing as setter instead of Planinšič, and Dulchev replaced by Mitrašinović at the opposite. The start of the set looked promising for Kamnik, as after a point by Pavlović, they led by four points (8:4), but Ljubljana tied the score at nine points with an ace by Najdič. After an ace by Brunet, Kamnik led 14:11, but Pokeršnik tied the score at sixteen points, and Šket took Ljubljana into the lead (17:16). Ljubljana also led 18:16, after a mistake by the home team, and entered the final stretch of the set leading 22:19. They didn't let go of the lead, and their second match point was converted by the match's most valuable player, Šket.

Statement from Matjaž Hafner, coach of ACH Volley Ljubljana: "Similar to the first final match, we persisted again, did not deviate from our game, and the team stands together, which is visible on the court. In the first set, we were behind for most of the game, but we fought back, and when one point lifts us, we start playing volleyball. We had two eighteen-year-olds and even a seventeen-year-old on the court, along with three or four experienced players, and that chemistry connected. Luka Marovt stepped into the big shoes of captain Gjorgiev and played well, albeit with some fluctuations, which goes for the entire team, but in the end, we won. It was a pity about the last set, when we allowed the opponent back into the game towards the end, but because we were fair to the sport, to volleyball, and to ourselves, we were rewarded. We entered both matches very confidently, but we are aware that the final series is not yet decided.