Slovenian champions to a convincing win over Calcit and first place after the regular season
In the 9th round match of the blue group of the Sportklub First Volleyball League, we watched the derby between the current national champions, ACH Volley Ljubljana and Kamnik's Calcit Volley in Ljubljana's Hala Tivoli. After leading 2:0 in the sets, the Calcit players reduced the deficit, but the Ljubljana volleyball players deservedly celebrated the final victory.
Ljubljana – Tivoli Sports Hall Spectators: 311 Referees: Dejan Perčič, Dejan Jovanovič
ACH Volley Ljubljana : Calcit Volley 3 : 1 (23, 17, -22, 16).
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Markovič, Kržič , Šket 13, Najdič, Marovt, Šen 19 , Koncilja 8 , Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 18 , Sešek , Pokeršnik , Videčnik 7 , Song. Coach: Radovan Gačič
Calcit Volley: Planinšič 7 , Vinkovič, Lazar 1 , Klobučar, Karadža Pevc (L), Košenina (L), Nikolić 2, Okroglič 4, Mitrašinović 3, Brunet 19 , Oman, Bakonji, Dulchev 15,Pavlovič 7. Coach: Mladen Kašič
After the initial lead by Kamnik's team (1:3 and 3:5), the orange dragons pulled together and, with Šen's block at the seventh point, leveled the score. After a few minutes of evenly matched play, where neither team managed to gain a significant advantage, the orange dragons, with Koncilja's block and a score of 13:12, took the lead. Šket increased the lead to 15:13 with an ace, and the Ljubljana players managed to maintain a two-point lead until the end of the set. At the score of 20:18, Calcit's coach Kašič called a timeout, later trying a substitution as well. These moves momentarily unsettled ACH Volley players, leading to a tie at 23. At the request of the home coach Gačič, there was a break. In the end, Šen, with a powerful serve, led his team to a 1-0 lead in sets (25:23).
In the second set, the guests took the lead (0:2), but the Ljubljana team quickly stepped on the gas and, with a partial score of 3:0, took the lead at 7:5. They maintained a two-point lead until the second half of the set when Calcit Volley, with Brunet's point, managed to equalize at the 13th point. After regaining the lead by the home team (15:13), Kašič called a timeout, but the orange dragons continued their winning pace and, with a partial score of 8:0, pulled away to 21:13. This was enough for a calm end to the set, which ACH Volley won after Vinkovič's initial hit error, with a score of 25:17.
The third set was again opened by Kamnik's team with 0:2; this time, they managed to maintain the lead until the ninth point when Videčnik leveled the score with a block. A long series of tie scores followed, with the dragons succeeding in attacks but allowing too many mistakes in the initial hits. At the score of 17:16, the visiting coach called a timeout, and his move soon paid off as Calcit Volley took the lead at 21:19. In an extremely tense ending of the set, ACH Volley players once again took the lead (22:21), but the guests had enough strength for another turnaround, reducing the set difference to 2:1 (22:25).
In the fourth set, the home team took the lead, and Šket's ace provided a three-point advantage (10:7). The dragons successfully increased their lead to six points in the second half of the set (16:10). The expected reaction from the guest bench followed, with a timeout called. In the continuation of the set, the Ljubljana players dominated in all elements of the game, and entering the final part of the set, they led with a nine-point advantage (20:11). Šen, the most effective player of the match with 19 points, secured the first match point with an effective attack, and the third was converted by Captain Gjorgiev for an extremely important victory (25:16).
Statement by ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Radovan Gačič: "We really wanted this victory today because we knew what this victory brings us - first place after the regular part. It's true that a completely new competition begins in the playoffs, but it's still good to know that if it comes to decisive matches, we'll play them at home. At the same time, we are aware that another extremely important and difficult match awaits us on Wednesday, and today's victory is on the right track in the direction we want to go."
Statement by ACH Volley Ljubljana player Klemen Šen: "A good game is behind us. We still have room for better play, but today's performance was enough for a victory over Calcit and securing first place even before the last round of the championship. We must continue to build on this energy and fighting spirit, and I am confident that we will get better day by day."