Orange Dragons to a solid win in Murska Sobota

In the 13th round of the Sportklub First Volleyball League, Panvita Pomgrad and ACH Volley Ljubljana clashed in the elementary school sports hall in Murska Sobota. Despite the dedicated play of the home team, the Slovenian champions were superior in all three sets, securing a 3:0 victory and once again justifying their role as favorites.

Murska Sobota - Elementary School Sports Hall 1, spectators: 100, referees: Atanasov, Vrenko

Panvita Pomgrad: Rajnar, Doda 10, Šormaz 14, Drvarič 3, Vrabl, Suhadolnik 4, Horvat, Legen 1, Bedrač 5, Novak, Mirković 9. Coach: Dejan Fujs

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Kržič 5, Satler, Šket 13, Najdič 2, Marovt 5, Šen 5, Koncilja 12, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 13, Sešek , Pokeršnik, Videčnik. Coach: Radovan Gačič

In the opening minutes, the volleyball players from Murska Sobota took the lead, with Šormaz's point giving them a 5:3 advantage. At a four-point deficit (8:4), the Ljubljana coach was forced to call a timeout, after which the situation on the court improved. Radovan Gačič's players equalized with Koncilja's block at the 11th point. In the continuation, the orange dragons demonstrated a higher quality game, and at the beginning of the set, they already led 20:15. This was enough for a calm conclusion of the set, which the ACH Volley players won 25:19.

In the second set, the Ljubljana team took a 3:1 lead, but they could not pull away from the locals for more than two points. The Panvita volleyball players equalized the score at the ninth and tenth points, and in the early part of the second half of the set, they successfully pursued the Ljubljana players. The Slovenian champions took a more noticeable lead only with Koncilja's point for 15:18. From here, the Slovenian champions dictated the game, securing a five-point lead by the end of the set (19:24). In the attack, Koncilja, in great form, capitalized on the second set point (25:20).

The first minutes of the final set belonged to the orange dragons (0:4), but the opponents recovered and equalized the score at the seventh and tenth points. In the continuation, the guests regained the lead, and the dedication and effort of the home volleyball players were not enough to take the lead (15:16). With a three-point deficit, coach Fujs reacted with a timeout, but even this did not confuse the dragons, who continued to maintain their lead (19:22). Towards the end of the set, the opponents threatened the Ljubljana team once again, narrowing the gap to two points. Ultimately, Šen capitalized on the third set point, concluding the set at 22 points.

Statement by coach Radovan Gačič: "At this moment, there is a quality difference between the two teams, and we showed that. However, it is true that if you don't approach such matches maximally and respectfully towards the opponent, which the home team certainly deserves, things can quickly become complicated. I think the approach was right, except for the beginning where Panvita Pomgrad served really well; everything else was under control."