ACH Volley Ljubljana Secures Full Victory in Novo Mesto

In the first-round match of the Blue Group in the Sportklub First Volleyball League, Novo Mesto hosted a clash between the home team Krka and the visiting team from Ljubljana. ACH Volley Ljubljana lived up to their status as favorites, celebrating another league victory and solidifying their position at the top of the standings.

Novo Mesto – Sports Hall Marof, Attendance: 150, Referees: Blaž Markelj, Nejc Klinar.

Krka: ACH Volley Ljubljana 1 : 3 (-20, 24, -19, -15).

Krka: Travnik (L), Medved 5, Erpič, Mikulass 1, Kosmina 20, Verdinek (L), Travnik, Glamočanin 12, Koncilja 3, Vidmar, Lindič 3, Rojnik 7, Bregar P. Coach: Tomislav Mišin.

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Golzadeh, Šket 19, Najdič 3, Esko, Marovt 16, Šen 11, Kržič Janž Janez, Kovačič (L), Štalekar 2, Videčnik 6, Kök, Kumer (L). Coach: Matjaž Hafner.

The duel at Sports Hall Marof began in favor of the guests from Ljubljana, who took advantage of the early nervousness of the home players, marked by numerous unforced errors (3:7). Marovt's ace extended the lead to +5, while Šen's successful attack increased the gap to six points (8:14). Krka improved their play later in the set and reduced the deficit to two points, but the Ljubljana team responded in time and secured the set with Marovt's effective attack, finishing it at 20 points.

The Ljubljana players also started the second set stronger, with Videčnik and Šen delivering successful attacks (6:10). However, in the second half of the set, the Novo Mesto team rallied, turning the deficit into a lead with a 4:0 run and a block from Medved. Krka maintained their advantage into the closing stages of the set, where the in-form Kosmina converted the second set point to level the score at 1:1 (26:24).

The third set was a balanced duel, though not particularly attractive volleyball. Both teams committed several service errors, with Krka also struggling in attack, which led to the visitors gaining an advantage (16:19). Najdič secured the first set point with a block, which Videčnik converted with another block to close the set (19:25).

In the fourth set, ACH Volley Ljubljana gained a significant lead after two consecutive aces by Marovt, taking an 8:5 advantage. The team from Ljubljana maintained their dominance and quickly surged toward another league victory. Šket, who was the most impactful player for the defending champions in this match, delivered two successful attacks to stretch the lead to an unassailable +8 (10:18). The match ended in favor of the guests after Medved's service error (15:25).

Coach Matjaž Hafner’s statement:
"Congratulations to the team on another victory. The thoughts from Thursday's Champions League loss haven’t entirely cleared, which was evident today. However, in all three sets we won, we had control over the game, and we deservedly secured three points today."