ACH Volley Ljubljana convincing in second match

In the second match of the first Central European League tournament in Zvettl, Austria, we watched the showdown between the reigning Slovak and Slovenian champions, Rieker UJS KOMÁRNO and ACH Volley Ljubljana. In the second match in two days, the Orange Dragons also won, with a score of 3:0.

Zwettl - Zwettl sports hall, spectators: 50, referees: Hladišova, Rychlik (both Czech Republic).

ACH Volley Ljubljana : Rieker UJS KOMÁRNO 3 : 0 (21, 21, 19).

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Mejal, Šket, Mašulović, Todorović, Bošnjak 2, Koncilja 10, Šestan 7, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 14, Videčnik 7, Kök 5, Šen 9. Coach: Radovan Gačič.

Rieker UJS KOMÁRNO: Krajčo (L), Kohut 8, Hanusek, Pati-Nagy (L), Kasperkević 2, Szarek 11, Mačuha, Turčani, Gergely 12, Forro 3, Santa 7, Szazvai, Gabko.   Coach: Gabriel Chocholak.

At the beginning of the meeting both teams were in attacking mood, and the Dragons took a two-point lead after a successful attack by Šen (6:4). The Rieker volleyball players quickly erased the advantage and took the lead (10:12) after two unstoppable attacking actions by Szarek. This did not confuse the ACH Volley Ljubljana volleyball players, who after the break, at the request of coach Gačič, pressed the pace and went into the lead (18:16). Koncilja, through the first tempo, and then Šen, with an efficient attack, ensured a calm end of the set (23:20), which was decided by an ace by Šestan, the Croatian national player in the team of the Orange Dragons (25:21).

In the second set, Ljubljana volleyball players continued to dictate the rhythm of the game and after another point scored by Videčnik, they led by three (11:8). In the following set, ACH Volley players made too many mistakes in finishing their actions, which their opponents took advantage of and with a partial score of 4:0, they took the lead (11:12). In the second half of the set, the Orange Dragons' blockers came to the fore, with Videčnik successfully attacking over the middle and Koncilja with an ace to restore the Slovenian champions' two-point advantage (17:15). The Slovak representatives made too many errors on the opening hit to seriously threaten ACH Volley Ljubljana's volleyball players, with Koncilja first attacking the first ball and then immediately afterwards with an ace to decide the set (25:21).In the second half of the set, ACH Volley Ljubljana's two blockers were able to take the lead (25:21).

In the third set, the dominance of the reigning Central European champions continued, who quickly distanced themselves from their rivals on the wings of a playful Gjorgiev (9:5). Even a timeout at the request of visiting strategist Chocholak did not stop the Dragons, but only continued the one-way traffic of scoring points in favour of the Ljubljana players (18:12). Bošnjak, who entered the game as a oppsite, finally dispelled any doubts about the winner with two consecutive points (22:18). The match was decided by Kök with a successful attack for another victory of the Orange Dragons.

Statement of ACH Volley Ljubljana coach, Radovan Gačič: "Another good performance by the boys, who were concentrated throughout the whole meeting. I am especially happy with the fact that we have a wide range of quality players, who we can rotate and stay as rested as possible. Tomorrow we have our last match of the tournament against Mladost, where I hope we can continue our rhythm."