Ljubljančani Secure a Full Sweep in Kamnik Despite a Weakened Squad
Na tekmi 4. kroga modre skupine Sportklub prve odbojkarske lige smo v športni dvorani Kamnik spremljali obračun ekip Calcit Volleyja in ACH Volleyja Ljubljana. Po prepričljivi zmagi v uvodnem nizu so v nadaljevanju domači odbojkarji prikazali boljši odpor, vendar so ljubljanski odbojkarji v končnici drugega in tretjega niza prikazali bolj zbrano igro in se veselili nove prvenstvene zmage.
Kamnik – sports hall Kamnik, gledalcev: 250, referees: Rok Zajec, Dejan Jovanovič.
Calcit Volley : ACH Volley Ljubljana 0 : 3 (-17, -24, -24).
Calcit Volley: Karadža Pevc (L), Podobnik 8, Nanut 10, Lazar 6, Sladič, Suhadolnik, Bošnjak, Oman 11, Blaževič, Gomez 6, Pavlovič 8. Coach: Gašper Ribič
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Golzadeh, Kržič Jošt 3, Satler, Najdič 3, Marovt 15, Kržič Janž Janez, Kovačič (L), Pokeršnik 13, Videčnik 6, Kök 16, Kumer. Coach: Matjaž Hafner
This season, the Ljubljana team has now defeated Kamnik three times, with Calcit Volley offering their strongest resistance in the Slovenian Cup quarterfinal matchup. Later in the regular season, Krka managed to take two sets from the reigning champions, while Kanalci also won a set in the previous round.
The Slovenian champions arrived in Kamnik with a depleted squad, missing Esko, Šket, Šen, and Štalekar due to illness. However, this was not evident at the start of the match, as Pokeršnik attacked effectively for a 7:4 lead, while Videčnik’s block extended the advantage to four points (9:5). The younger of the Kržič brothers contributed with a strong serving streak, pushing the lead to 16:11. Kök, stepping in as the opposite hitter, was both energetic and effective, while the young Marovt impressed with two aces (22:15). The set ended with an unforced error by the home team.
The second set started in Calcit’s favor, with Pavlović’s block giving them a 4:1 lead. After an impressive rally, Oman’s attack extended their lead to 12:8, prompting Hafner to call a timeout. The Orange Dragons responded through Jošt Kržič’s serving, leveling the score at 13. They continued their momentum with a 4:0 run, taking a 20:17 lead. However, Gomez’s powerful serves helped the home team equalize at 21:21. Nanut gave Calcit their first set point, but they failed to capitalize, and ACH Volley took advantage of their first opportunity through a Pokeršnik attack.
In the third set, both teams exchanged leads up to 6:6. A Pokeršnik attack gave Ljubljana a two-point advantage (8:6), but a ten-minute delay due to a net malfunction worked in favor of the home team. Oman’s block handed Calcit a slight edge (11:10), and Pavlović extended it to 17:15. However, Najdič’s ace leveled the score at 17:17. Pokeršnik once again stepped up, securing an 18:17 lead for the visitors. In yet another tense finish, ACH Volley had the first match point and converted their second, with Pokeršnik sealing the win.
Post-Match Reactions:
Matjaž Hafner, Head Coach of ACH Volley Ljubljana:
“Right after the match in Belgium, we started dealing with a viral infection in the team, which is obviously not ideal. I hope we recover quickly and continue at full strength. I’m pleased with our approach and the way we started the match, controlling the first set throughout. In the following two sets, we struggled more, with fluctuations in our game, which the relaxed Kamnik team managed to exploit to some extent. However, we remained composed in the crucial moments and secured the win.”
Jošt Kržič, ACH Volley Ljubljana Player:
“A tough match in Kamnik. Calcit Volley has been playing very well lately, raising their level of play. We arrived in Kamnik with a weakened squad, though this wasn’t evident at the start. As the match progressed, we made too many unforced errors, allowing our opponents to stay close. Nevertheless, with a focused performance in the closing stages, we managed to secure a 3:0 victory.”