ACH Volley Ljubljana without a scratch against Črnuče

In the 4th round of the Sportklub First Volleyball League, ACH Volley Ljubljana and the returnees to the first league, the team of Črnuče, met in the city derby in Hala Tivoli. The duel was considered a clear favourite for the multiple national champions, who justified it on the court and reliably, without losing a set, defeated the young team of Črnuče.
Ljubljana - Tivoli sports hall, 50 spectators, referees Mihajlo, Kramar (both Slovenia).

ACH Volley Ljubljana : Črnuče  3:0 (20, 21, 13).

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Pernuš 1, Šket, Rutar 8, Mašulović 5, Todorović, Peruničić 1, Okroglič 7, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 10, Pokeršnik 3, Videčnik 8, Kök 13.   Coach: Mladen Kašić.

Črnuče:  Verdinek (L), Mihelčič 1, Prevorčnik, Vilar, Gornik 6, Rojnik 5, Bošnjak 11, Sešek 6, Oman 3, Slovnik (L), Jančič 1, Mejal.   Coach: Jurij Žavbi.

ACH Volley Ljubljana started the match with a different line-up than we have been used to in the previous matches of this season. Instead of Todorović, Pernuš played as a setter, while the experienced national team player Šket was replaced by Kök at the receiver position. After an even start, the first significant advantage was gained by the Črnuče volleyball team, who led by three points (9:12). This forced the Croatian coach Kašić to break the guests' run with a minute break. After three excellent serves by young Rutar, the Orange Dragons quickly caught the lead and went ahead (14:13). After a block by Mašulović and a successful attack by Kök, the ACH Volley Ljubljana volleyball team increased their lead (18:15). This triggered a reaction on the bench of the Črnuče volleyball players, who took a minute break at the request of coach Žavbi. It did not stop the onslaught of the home volleyball players, who, after an ace by captain Pokeršnik and successful attacks by the playful Kök and Gjorgiev, calmly brought the set to an end (25:20).

At the beginning of the second set, ACH Volley Ljubljana managed to pull away from their opponents, but after a minute break by the visiting coach Žavbi, the Črnuče volleyball team managed to tie the score (12:12). The arrival of Videčnik brought the Orange Dragons extra energy and a three-point advantage after successfully completed offensive actions (16:13). The serial national champions did not allow any surprises and kept the advantage until the end of the set, which was finished with a successful attack by Videčnik (25:21).

In the third set, the Orange Dragons broke down the resistance of the Črnuče volleyball team right from the start and easily went point for point with strong serves. After two aces by Okroglič and a block by Videčnik, they quickly escaped from their opponents, and a little later, with two successful attacks by the aforementioned Okroglič, they led by an unassailable eight points (16:8). The fact that the home players spent most of the set on serve is also evidenced by the continuation of the third set, which, after a point by young Peruničić, the Orange Dragons won with a score of 25:13 and thus recorded their fourth championship victory.

With the exception of Todorović and Šket, who were given a rest by coach Kašić, all the remaining ACH Volley Ljubljana players played today and took advantage of the opportunity once again.

Statement of ACH Volley Ljubljana player Matej Kök: "I am glad that the coach offered me a chance which I think I took advantage of. We were better in all elements of the game and controlled the flow of the match. Now we have enough time to rest and prepare for the derby next weekend in Maribor. We have a team with a lot of quality players and it's good to rotate so that we can stay as rested as possible for the long season ahead of us."