ACH Volley Ljubljana opens the national championship season with a narrow win in Kanal

In the 2nd round of the Sportklub Slovenian Volleyball League, we witnessed a rematch of last year’s finals in the Kanal Sports Hall between the reigning national champions ACH Volley Ljubljana and the home team Alpacem Kanal. The hosts provided strong resistance to the favored Ljubljana squad and, somewhat surprisingly, managed to take a point. After five intense sets, the Slovenian champions celebrated their first victory of the season.

Kanal – Sports Hall Kanal, Attendance: 600; Referees: Pevc, Atanasov.
Final score: Alpacem Kanal – ACH Volley Ljubljana 2 : 3 (-20, 19, 23, -17, -10)

Alpacem Kanal: Mugerli Aleks, Fink 10, Vinkovič 16, Jerončič 4, Vinčič 2, Godnič, Stojanovič, Okroglič (L), Sešek 26, Mugerli Maj, Konjedic, Ranc 9. Head coach: Gregor Jerončič.
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Štern 20, Pajenk 11, Kržič Jošt, Šket 1, Najdič 1, Marovt 25, Šen 7, Kržič Janž Janez 7, Prevorčnik, Ropret 2, Urnaut (L), Verdinek (L). Head coach: Igor Kolaković.

The match in Kanal began evenly, with Vinkovič delivering two consecutive blocks to put Alpacem ahead by three points (8:5), prompting a quick timeout from Ljubljana’s coach Kolaković. Two additional errors from the visitors extended the gap to five (10:5), before the reigning champions responded with a 5:0 run to level the score at 10-all. Midway through the opening set, Pajenk’s ace gave ACH Volley a three-point advantage, and Štern’s spike widened it to six (15:21). The visitors converted their fifth set point through another successful attack by Štern (20:25).

The second set saw a strong start from the home side, led by the in-form Sešek, who pushed Alpacem to a 4:0 lead. The momentum continued, as Sešek once again struck for 7:2. ACH Volley struggled to find rhythm, and after another Vinkovič block, Alpacem led 20:13. The hosts maintained control throughout the set, with Fink sealing it with an ace (25:19).

In the third set, the visitors opened with a 3:0 run capped by Marovt’s spike, but Alpacem quickly regained control through the outstanding play of Vinkovič and Sešek. Ljubljana’s players appeared tense and committed too many unforced errors, allowing the home side to stay ahead. Despite a late push from Štern, who brought ACH Volley within one point (24:23), a service error by the visitors handed the set to Alpacem (25:23).

The reigning champions responded decisively in the fourth set. Šen’s attack made it 7:3 for Ljubljana, and the guests continued to dominate with more confidence and precision. Marovt’s spike pushed the score to 18:13, while Štern’s block created a comfortable lead (14:21). Pajenk finished the set with a powerful middle attack (17:25).

The decisive fifth set saw ACH Volley Ljubljana take control from the start. Marovt, the team’s top scorer, delivered a crucial ace for 13:8, while Ranc’s service error sealed the victory for the visitors.

ACH Volley Ljubljana head coach Igor Kolaković statement:
“When you see a 3:2 result, it might not seem satisfying, but in reality, we must be pleased. We served aggressively and created many counterattack opportunities, though we didn’t capitalize on them effectively. The opponents defended extremely well and delivered a quality performance. This match was an important learning experience for our younger players Šen, Marovt, Verdinek, and Kržič, who are still adapting to this level of intensity and responsibility. On Thursday, we’ll face the Dutch team again in the Champions League return match, where our goal is another victory and progression to the next round.”