Orange Dragons back on the winning track
In the 8th round of the Sportklub First Volleyball League, we witnessed a clash between the home team Alpacem Kanal and ACH Volley Ljubljana in the sports hall in Kanal. The hosts managed to challenge the Slovenian champions several times, but except for the third set, the guests didn't allow themselves to be surprised and, as expected, took three points back to Ljubljana.
Kanal - Kanal sports hall, spectators: 85, referees: Todorović, Kramar
Alpacem Kanal: Kodrič, Stojanovič 2, Cafuta 3, Jakovac 2, Karnel 1, Godnič 2, Kavčič, Maretič, Okroglič, Blazsovics 11, Vrtovec 26, Ranc 8. Coach: Rok Knafelc
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Mejal 4, Kržič, Šket, Najdič, Marovt 14, Šen, Koncilja 8, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 13, Sešek, Pokeršnik 11, Videčnik 10. Coach: Radovan Gačič
At the start of the match, the guests from Ljubljana displayed better play, pulling ahead of the home team by three points (2:5). The hosts quickly responded, narrowing the gap to just one point with an ace. However, the orange dragons didn't stay indebted; they once again managed to escape from their opponents. Despite a four-point deficit (10:14), the home coach, Knafelc, called for the first timeout. Initially, it didn't bear fruit for Alpacem's players, and after Vrtovec's service error, the deficit widened to six points (12:18). The home team managed to dangerously close the gap again with a partial score of 8:3, and with the score tied at 21, Coach Gačič was forced to react. After the break, the dragons once again dictated the game's rhythm, and Mejal sealed the set with an ace (25:21).
In the first half of the second set, we witnessed the dragons holding a minimal lead, reaching a more substantial advantage at 10:7. With a four-point deficit, the home team's coach tried a substitution, but it didn't bring significant changes to the court. The Ljubljana volleyball players continued to maintain their lead, and after Videčnik's point, who returned to the volleyball court after a longer break, the difference between the teams was six points (10:16). The home team managed to narrow the gap again (13:16), but Pokeršnik and Koncilja complicated matters with successful blocks, ensuring a six-point lead again (13:19). Towards the end of the set, the dragons kept their composure and continued to dominate on the court, concluding the set at the 19th point.
In the third set, the dragons once again took the lead, but they failed to pull away from the opponents by more than three points throughout the entire first half of the set, mainly due to missed serves. At the 14th point, Alpacem took advantage of this, equalizing the score after Cafuta's block. With the home team leading 17:16, there was a reaction on the Ljubljana bench – the visiting coach called for a timeout and made substitutions. The decisions did not bear fruit, and Alpacem's players increased their lead to 21:18. After four consecutive points, the set concluded with a score of 25:19.
In the final set, the home team started better, taking a 3:0 lead through the errors of the guests. ACH Volley quickly responded, taking the lead at the sixth point. In the second half of the set, Ljubljana managed to maintain the lead (12:15). Despite a timeout and substitutions attempted by Knafelc, the Ljubljana players maintained composure, keeping a cool head and not allowing themselves to be surprised by the opponents. Captain Gjorgiev secured the victory with his 14th point in today's match (25:20).
Statement from Matic Videčnik, ACH Volley Ljubljana player: "I'm glad that after the defeat to Calcit, we managed to regroup and convincingly beat Alpacem Kanal. I am pleased to be back on the court and contribute to the team to the best of my abilities."