Slovenian champions to another victory on home soil
In the postponed match of the 1st round of the Sportklub First Volleyball League, we witnessed a clash between ACH Volley Ljubljana and Alpaci Kanal in Tivoli Sports Hall. Except for the second set, in which we witnessed a dramatic ending, the orange dragons were convincingly better than their opponents in the other two sets, rightfully celebrating a new league victory with a 3:0 score.
Ljubljana - Tivoli Sports Hall, 150 spectators, referees: Pevc, Rozman.
ACH Volley Ljubljana : Alpacem Kanal 3 : 0 (21, 29, 19).
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Mejal 2, Kržič 5, Šket 3, Najdič 2, Marovt 9, Šen 5, Koncilja 9, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 8, Sešek 13, Pokeršnik 4. Coach: Radovan Gačič
Alpacem Kanal: Kodrič 3, Stojanovič 14, Cafuta 1, Jakovac 8, Karnel 1, Godnič 2, Kavčič, Maretič, Okroglič (L), Blazsovics 8, Vrtovec, Ranc 5. Coach: Leon Schilling
The orange dragons started the match excellently, taking a three-point lead with an effective attack by Captain Gjorgiev (4:1). The Kanal team responded with a partial score of 4:0, taking the lead (5:4). Ljubljana swiftly restored order with Koncilja's ace (9:6). However, the Alpacem players kept pace with the home team until the 15th point. In the second half of the set, we saw the dominance of the Ljubljana players, who secured a four-point advantage before the conclusion for a calm finish and a victory in the opening set, ending it with an exceptional triple block (25:21).
Similar to the first set, the orange dragons led 4:1 in the second set, followed by a response from the Kanal team (4:4). Alpacem's players, this time driven by the excellent Stojanovič, who was effective in the attack, and the strong block, took a four-point lead (8:12). Despite interruptions at the request of the home coach Gačič, the excellent block from Kanal did not falter, and they built a six-point lead (13:19). Changes in the ACH Volley team brought additional energy, with Koncilja contributing two blocks and Marovt an ace to reduce the deficit to 18:20. In the tense ending of the second set, we saw a competitive and sometimes nervous game on both sides. After a real marathon duel, they finally seized their eighth set point, with Sešek being successful in the attacking action (31:29).
The start of the third set was marked by the home team, who continued with a changed lineup that justified Coach Gačič's trust. Sešek was unstoppable in attack, and Marovt handled the pressure well in reception. With the score at 19:13, Coach Schilling attempted a half-minute timeout, which did not prove effective. The match ended with today's excellent Sešek delivering a powerful attack (25:19).
Statement from ACH Volley Ljubljana Coach Radovan Gačič: "Congratulations to the boys for another league victory. I am especially pleased with the attitude of the players who entered the game after a drop in our performance in the second set and initiated a comeback from the deficit of 19:13. In the third set, we continued with excellent play and were one or two levels better than our opponents. Now we have enough time to prepare for our away match in Maribor and maintain our winning streak in the domestic league."
Statement from ACH Volley Ljubljana player Jaka Sešek: "It was important that we won the second set after the turnaround, which gave us additional energy to convincingly win the third set and celebrate a well-deserved victory. I am happy for the opportunity provided, which I utilized well."