ACH Volley Ljubljana express in the first semi-final against Kanal

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ACH Volley Ljubljana

In the first match of the semi-finals of the Slovenian Cup we watched the home team Salonit Anhovo and the guests, ACH Volley Ljubljana, who are defending their title in this competition. In the duel of the two most trophy teams after winning the cup titles, we saw the dominance of the Ljubljana volleyball players, who won with a convincing 3:0 in sets. 
Kanal ob Soči - sports hall Kanal, spectators: 100, referees: Pevc, Vrenko.
Salonit Anhovo : ACH Volley Ljubljana 0 : 3 (-19, -18, -12)
Salonit Anhovo: Kodric 1, Stojanovic, Saric (L), Hesselholt 5, Karnel, Jeklin 1, Godnic 2, Kavcic 2, Maretic 4, Okroglic (L), Kovacic 2, Ikhbayri 2, Vrtovec 7, Maksimovic 4. Coach: Rade Dačović.
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Satler, Šket 7, Mašulović, Todorović 3, Bošnjak, Koncilja 13, Šestan, Kovačič (L), Videčnik 10, Kök 10, Šen.  Coach: Radovan Gacic.
The Slovenian champions, ACH Volley Ljubljana, came to the first semi-final match of the Slovenian Cup with a weakened line-up, with captain Gjorgiev and Mejal missing due to illness.
At the beginning of the match, the home team had a small initiative, leading by two points (5:3) with an ace by Vrtovec. After an unfavourable opening shot by Todorović, the Ljubljana players first settled the score (9:9), and the excellent Serbian setter secured the lead with another ace. Kök continued with excellent serves from the Dragons and triggered a reaction on the bench of the Salonit players, who tried to stop the Ljubljana team's onslaught with a timeout. The home team players had more and more difficulties in receiving and, consequently, in organizing their attack effectively, and the Orange Dragons took advantage of this and increased their lead (15:11). In the second half of the set, the situation on the court did not change, with an excellent triple block to Vrtovec for 22:16 and an ace by Koncilja for the first set win (19:25).
The second set also went the way of the guests from Ljubljana, who took a 4:1 lead on Koncilja's serve. With the score 14:9, Salonit coach Dacović called for a second half-minute break, which did not deter the Salonit players. Šket, who played the position of a opposite and took over the captain's armband in the absence of Gjorgiev, secured an unassailable advantage with two consecutive points (11:18). The first final ball was used by Videčnik in the calm end of the second set with an attack over the first tempo (18:25).
As if the Ljubljana players were in a hurry to get home, they completely overshadowed their opponents in the third set and already led by ten points in the first half of the set (5:15). A distracted Koncilja increased the advantage with two fierce attacks (7:18) and added an ace a little later (8:21). Videčnik secured the final ball through the first tempo, and Koncilja, the MVP of the day, took advantage of the second one with an outstanding block (12:25).

Statement of ACH Volley Ljubljana player, Danijel Koncilja: "We played the first half of the semi-final of the Slovenian Cup in Kanal with great results. Despite the absence of Gjorgiev and Mejal, we were in the mood on the serve, the opponent had problems with the reception and it was much easier for us. We have to stay focused and go game by game."