Dragons better than Kamnik team for the second time
In the second tournament of the Central European Mevza League, hosted by Ljubljana, we watched old friends, ACH Volley Ljubljana and Calcit Volley, duel in the first match. In the second match of the season, ACH Volley won 3:1.
Ljubljana - sports hall Tivoli, spectators: 80, referee: Brlas, Jurković (both Croatia).
ACH Volley Ljubljana : Calcit Volley 3 : 1 (-23, 22, 19, 25).
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Mejal, Šket 6, Mašulović 7, Todorović 2, Bošnjak, Koncilja 4, Šestan, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 19, Videčnik 12, Kök 8, Šen 2. Coach: Radovan Gačič
Calcit Volley: Planinšič, Mujanović 6, Vinkovič, Lazar 1, Klobučar 17, Košenina (L), Arsenoski 2, Okroglič, Sosa Sierra 12, Mitrašinović 10, Aponza Carabali 9, Pavlovič 8. Coach: Matija Pleško
The beginning of the match was marked by dynamic play on both sides, with Gjorgiev's ace giving the Dragons a 5:3 lead. Ljubljana's volleyball players maintained their advantage in the second half, with Šket's successful attack for a 15:12 lead forcing Pleško, the visitors' coach, to call the first timeout. Šket served well and Gjorgiev's strong attack increased the lead to five points (18:13). Aponza with a great block, he had three of them, and Croatian opposite Mitrašinović with a strong initial hit brought the Kamnik volleyball team back into the game. The guests entered the playoffs with a minimal advantage (20:21). A series of missed opening shots on both sides followed, and Calcit volleyball players got the first final ball and, after a mistake by Šket in attack, took advantage of it (23:25).
As if ACH Volley's volleyball players were angry about the lost set, they made a great start in the second set (4:1). The Kamnik volleyball team quickly regained the balance and tied the score at the fourth point (4:4). A series of unfavourable initial shots by Videčnik again distanced the Orange Dragons (9:5). Sosa's outstanding serves brought the Calcit volleyball team to within a point of the deficit, which provoked a reaction on the home team's bench. Kök, with a great attack, made it a three-point lead (19:16), and the experienced captain Gjorgiev continued with two points and the first final ball of the Dragons (24:19). The 34-year-old Macedonian opposite, with an efficient attack, closed the set in favour of the Ljubljana players (25:22).
The beginning of the third set was also marked by ACH Volley Ljubljana's volleyball players, who with excellent defensive actions and efficient offence gained a four-point advantage (8:4).The continuation of the match was also on the notes of Ljubljana's volleyball players, who were one step ahead of their rivals (17:12). Mašulović, with three successful attacks over the first tempo, secured an unassailable advantage for the Dragons (23:16), while Videčnik, also with an attack over the middle, decided the third set in favour of the home volleyball players (25:19).
In the fourth set, Kamnik played better again, and the change of setter and opposite paid off. It was the young Mujanovic, with his strong opening shots, who gave the visitors their first significant advantage (10:13), followed by a half-minute break at Gačič's request. Calcit Volley volleyball players continued their excellent block play and gained a six-point lead (11:17) before the second half of the set. The Dragons woke up at the end of the set, when they were already five points behind (17:22), and with Koncilja's uncomfortable serves they erased the deficit (22:22). In a tense playoff, the Slovenian champions came up with a complete turnaround and managed to win the match (27:25) after a great block by Videčnik.
Statement of ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Radovan Gačič: "We expected a difficult match, as the opponent is a highly motivated and quality team from Kamnik. There were too many fluctuations in the team's game, which we need to improve before Thursday's match and be even more focused throughout the whole encounter.
Statement of ACH Volley Ljubljana player Nikola Gjorgiev: "A tough but well-deserved win against a very good Calcito team. We were not at our highest level of play, but still managed to record another win. Now it's time to focus our thoughts on the next game, when we face an ever better Maribor team on Thursday."