04. 12. 2021

Orange Dragons continue their winning march with victory against Kranj

The 10th round match of the Sportklub First Volleyball League between ACH Volley Ljubljana and House on Wheels Triglav took place in Hala Tivoli. If the beginning of the meeting was still quite even, the Orange Dragons prevailed in the later part of the match, gaining their 19th victory of the season.
Ljubljana - Tivoli sports hall, 50 spectators, referees Novak, Tomec (both Slovenia).

ACH Volley Ljubljana : Hiša na kolesih Triglav 3: 0 (21, 16, 16)

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Pernuš 1, Šket 11, Rutar 2, Mašulović 10, Todorović 1, Peruničić, Okroglič 10, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 15, Pokeršnik, Videčnik 2, Kök. Trener: Mladen Kašić

Hiša na kolesih Triglav: Ibrišimovič 1, Pušnik 3, Nanut 6, Tučen 6, Bregant 6, Godnič 2, Libnik (L), Snedec 1, Mali, Štembergar Zupan 8, Šikanič, Maček 1, Fajfar, Kumer (L). Trener: Sašo Rop.

The first set was even until Gjorgiev's ace (5:3), which brought the score difference to two points. Mašulović (6:4), Okroglič (8:7) and Šket (10:8) continued to maintain the advantage with successful attacks. Despite the solid play of the Ljubljana volleyball players, the advantage remained at a point or two difference. Too many errors of their own were the reason why the Ljubljana players were unable to close the gap. They managed to do so in the second half of the set, where, after successful attacks by Mašulović and Gjorgiev and an ace by Todorović, they escaped from the guests from Kranj to a five-point difference (18:13). This provoked a reaction on the bench, as coach Rop called for a one-minute timeout, which did not deter the team from Kranj. With successful offensive finishes by Šket, Gjorgiev and Okroglič, who got his chance from the start, the Orange Dragons won the opening set with a four-point advantage (25:21).
The second set started much stronger for the Ljubljana players, who took a 4:1 lead after an ace by Videčnik. A strong attack by Skete for a 6:2 lead triggered a reaction on the Kranj bench with a one-minute break. It seemed to be effective at first, as the House on Wheels Triglav volleyball team managed to reduce the deficit to two points (6:4), but the Orange Dragons quickly responded and increased the lead again after a successful finish by Šket (9:5). Coach Kašić also sent young Pernuš and Rutar into the game and they justified the opportunity. With the score 15:11, the visiting coach Rop called for a second minute of timeout, but it was of no significance for the Triglav House on Wheels team, as the Ljubljana team continued to increase their lead. Rutar scored the first final ball (24:15), and Gjorgiev took advantage of a successful attack to win the second set (25:16).
The third set was very similar to the second. The Orange Dragons escaped with a score of 8:5 and the guests were within three points. In the next set, the multiple national champions did not leave anything to chance and continued their rhythm. After an ace by Šket, the Tivoli Hall scoreboard read 17:13 and it seemed that the duel between the first and the last-placed team would be over quickly. The Orange Dragons stepped on the gas even more and with an ace by the determined Okroglič they scored another championship win (25:16).
Statement of ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Mladen Kašić: "Today we achieved another convincing win in a fairly easy way. Our thoughts are already on the return match of the CEV Challenge Cup, which awaits us in Ukraine on Wednesday. We are going there with a good feeling after today's victory."