Ljubljana Volleyball Team Secures Another Convincing Victory

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ACH Volley Ljubljana

In the 2nd round of the Blue Group in the Sportklub First Volleyball League, we witnessed a matchup in the Planina Sports Hall in Kranj between the Merkur Triglav team and the undefeated ACH Volley Ljubljana players. The Slovenian champions recorded another victory with a 3-0 scoreline.

Kranj – Planina Sports Hall, Attendance: 200, Referees: Franci Kramar, Dejan Perčič.
Merkur Triglav Kranj : ACH Volley Ljubljana 0 : 3 (-23, -20, -19).

Merkur Triglav Kranj: Sokol, Snedec 1, Križanič 5, Vinkovič 16, Tučen 5, Fajfar (L), Veber, Jančič 10, Šikanič, Zalokar (L), Bregar, Grabec 2. Coach: Sašo Rop.
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Golzadeh 19, Kržič Jošt, Šket, Najdič, Esko 2, Marovt 9, Šen, Kržič Janž Janez 8, Kovačič (L), Štalekar 6, Pokeršnik, Videčnik, Kök 8, Kumer (L). Coach: Matjaž Hafner.

The match began favorably for the visitors from Ljubljana, who quickly gained a three-point advantage, with Kök executing a successful attack (1:4). Triglav's players responded with an ace from Grabec to equalize the score at 7-7. What followed was a balanced exchange, as the home team briefly gained the lead with solid blocking (13:11). Up to the 20th point, the teams alternated in the lead, and Merkur seemed to have the edge after a strong tempo attack (22:20). However, Golzadeh and Marovt each delivered two decisive attacks to secure a dramatic first set for the Orange Dragons (23:25).

Similar to the first set, the Ljubljana players started the second set strongly, taking an early 4:1 lead. This time, they did not allow their opponents to claw back into the game and maintained a steady two-to-three-point advantage throughout the set. Iranian opposite Golzadeh stood out in the final stages, delivering powerful attacks and adding an ace. The set concluded at 20 points after a service error by Tučen (20:25).

In the third set, the teams were initially evenly matched (8:9), but the Orange Dragons went on a 6-0 run, building a comfortable lead they never relinquished (8:15). Janž Kržič delivered a powerful attack through the middle for the first match point, which was converted after a hitting error by Vinkovič (19:25).

Statement from ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Matjaž Hafner:
"Triglav is a team that must never be underestimated or taken lightly. Despite their youth, they can play quality volleyball, as they demonstrated, especially in the opening set. While we didn't showcase our best performance today, we are deservedly celebrating another league win. Before the final Champions League match, we still have a game against Kanal, where we aim to display a higher level of play."