ACH Volley Ljubljana remains undefeated in Mevza

In the last match of the second tournament of the Mid-European Mevza League, hosted by Ljubljana, we watched ACH Volley Ljubljana and Merkur Maribor play each other. The Ljubljana team justified their role as favourites and strolled to another victory.

Ljubljana - sports hall Tivoli,  spectators: 70, referees: Brlas, Jurković (both Croatia).

ACH Volley Ljubljana : OK Merkur Maribor  3:0 (23, 16, 18).

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Mejal, Šket, Mašulović 6, Todorović 2, Bošnjak 6, Koncilja 9, Šestan, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 10, Videčnik, Kök 11, Šen 12.   Coach: Radovan Gačič.

OK Merkur Maribor: Jevšnik (L), Vodušek, Pernuš, Adžović 3, McConnel 15, Bračko, Kržič 5, Donik 8, Leva 2, Fink 3, Najdič, Iršič.   Coach: Sebastjan Škorc.

The opening set started with a spectacular volleyball match, where neither team managed to gain a significant advantage. The Slovenian champions took a three-point lead (11:8) on Gjorgiev's serve, but Mašulović shone, finishing twice in a row over the first tempo. The Ljubljana players were getting better and better, with Kök finishing strong for a four-point lead (14:10) and the first timeout at the request of coach Škorc. This encouraged the Maribor players, who came close to a two-point deficit (19:17), but the playful Kök and Gjorgiev, who were unstoppable in their offensive actions, did not allow for anything more. It was the latter who took advantage of the fourth final ball to win the first set (25:23).

The second set started better for the guests from Maribor, who led by two (5:7), followed by a reply from the Ljubljana volleyball players, who took the lead (8:7) with a 3:0 partial score. It was an evenly matched match until the moment when the outstanding Kök came to the service and pulled the Dragons to a five-point difference (18:13). Gjorgiev finally decided the second set with another ace for 23:15, which was finished by Mašulović with a kill (25:16).

In the third set we saw a promising start of the young Maribor volleyball players (5:7), but the Slovenian champions didn't need much time to catch their opponent and take the lead (12:10). Koncilja's ace gave ACH Volley a big lead before the end of the set (20:15), in which they came up with a new victory with a focused play. Bošnjak secured it with a successful attack.

Statement of ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Radovan Gačič: "We made our job easier today with a strong serve and prevented our opponent from playing. I am satisfied with the performance of the boys, who controlled the whole match and were a level better opponent. We have a great tournament behind us, with two more wins, which is a great start, first for the home championship match and then for the much-awaited Champions League showdown."