Kamnik better than the Dragons in the first derby

In the 7th round of the Sportklub First Volleyball League, we witnessed the first derby of the season between the familiar faces of the volleyball court, the local Calcit Volley and the current national and cup champions, ACH Volley Ljubljana, in the Kamnik sports hall. In this season's first encounter, the Kamnik volleyball players convincingly secured a 3:0 victory on their home turf, dealing the first defeat to the Ljubljana team.

Kamnik - Kamnik sports hall, spectators: 320, referees: Mihajlo, Jovanovic.

Calcit Volley: Planinšič 1, Vinkovič, Lazar 1, Karadža Pevc, Košenina, Nikolić 10, Okroglič 7, Bošnjak 11, Mitrašinović 1, Brunet, Oman, Bakonji, Mujanović 9, Pavlovič 9. Coach: Mladen Kašić

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Mejal, Kržič 3, Šket 5, Najdič 2, Marovt 3, Šen, Koncilja 4, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 15, Sešek, Pokeršnik 9. Coach: Radovan Gačič

The match began evenly, with both teams exchanging leads until the 12th point, after which the home team, backed by loud support from the stands, gained a significant advantage (14:12). In the second half of the set, the rhythm of the game was dictated by the Kamnik volleyball players, who led by five points (19:14). ACH Volley Ljubljana couldn't find an answer to Calcit's surge, resulting in the loss of the first set with a score of 25:20.

Calcit Volley didn't relent at the start of the second set. Leading 5:1, they forced ACH Volley Ljubljana to call their first timeout, which proved ineffective for the visiting team. Kamnik's exceptional attack and solid blocks maintained their lead until the middle of the set. Despite timeouts and substitutions by Coach Gačič, nothing worked for the visitors. The home team continued to apply pressure, increasing their lead to eight points at the beginning of the set's conclusion (20:12). This was enough for a calm ending to the second set, securing Calcit's lead at 2:0 in sets (25:17).

Buoyed by a 2:0 lead in sets, Calcit Volley also successfully opened the third set (3:0), prompting a half-minute break from the visiting Coach Gačič (7:1). The Dragons improved their game, achieving a partial score of 8:2 and equalizing the score at the ninth point, eventually taking a minimal lead (11:12). However, Calcit's players regained the initiative, turning the tide in the second half of the set to lead by two points (20:18). In the final stages of the match, Calcit Volley confirmed their dominance, winning the first derby of the season with a score of 25:21.

Radovan Gačič's statement: "We were aware that facing Kamnik would be an extremely tough task, but despite the injuries plaguing us, I expected a more balanced match and more fight from our side. Today, nothing went according to plan for us, and Kamnik played at a high level. We have to sportsmanship congratulate them on the win."