Kosmina in Koncilja za Krko blokirata Omana iz Calcit Volley. Foto: Krka.

Starting line-up of the tenth match-day

V desetem krogu Sportklub prve odbojkarske lige so bili gostitelji polovično uspešni.

The tenth matchday of the Sportklub First Slovenian Volleyball League delivered a full programme of action. Krka returned to winning ways with a four-set victory over Calcit Volley in Novo mesto. In Ravne, Fužinar Ravne put in a spirited performance against ACH Volley Ljubljana, even taking a set off the reigning champions, who nevertheless claimed all three points. In Kanal, Alpacem Kanal defeated Panvita Pomgrad in four sets, while the clash between Merkur Triglav Kranj and i-Vent Maribor produced a genuine thriller, eventually going the visitors’ way.

Krka finally secured a victory on Friday, 12 December, after suffering two defeats in deciding sets away from home against Alpacem Kanal and Panvita Pomgrad in Murska Sobota. At the Marof Sports Hall in Novo mesto, they produced a determined performance to defeat Calcit Volley in four sets.

The first match of the tenth round of the Sportklub First National Volleyball League on Saturday, 13 December, took place in Ravne na Koroškem, where Fužinar Ravne hosted ACH Volley Ljubljana. As has become customary when ACH are on the road, a record crowd gathered in the arena, with 650 spectators in attendance this time. They did not, however, see the strongest possible Ljubljana line-up, as the team was still recovering from their defeat in the opening round of the Champions League group stage. In the first set, outside hitter Jaka Prevorčnik was given his opportunity and made excellent use of it, although he was later replaced by Klemen Šen. The key moment of the match was Fužinar’s young side managing to take the third set from the serial national champions. Both outside hitters and receivers, Tevž and Ožbi Slatinšek, as well as opposite Denis Robida, delivered outstanding performances. ACH Volley then raised their level in the fourth set and returned to Ljubljana with all three points.

In Kanal, Alpacem’s players, this time led by Dejan Vinčić, also defeated Panvita Pomgrad in four sets. The visitors from Prekmurje resembled a steam locomotive that needs time to build momentum. After losing the first set convincingly and holding a lengthy team discussion before the change of ends, they showed greater resistance in the second set but still lost it by a narrow margin. They managed to claim the third set, only to falter again in the fourth.

A real drama unfolded in Kranj in front of 100 spectators, where Merkur Triglav Kranj faced i-Vent Maribor. The home side prepared well for the match and made excellent use of Maribor’s somewhat weakened line-up in the middle. However, Maribor remained faithful to their style of play. With once again excellent setting from Nejc Kožar, captain Žiga Donik handling the pressure in the outside positions, strong contributions from fellow outside hitter Gustavo Cavalcanti Almeida, and opposite Carlos Santana Charles, the visitors gradually took control. Kranj had the fourth set within their grasp, but Maribor capitalised on every moment of hesitation and ultimately took all three points back to Maribor.

Outside hitter Martin Kosmina finally converted his consistently strong performances into a team victory for Krka, despite being heavily targeted by Calcit’s serve. He delivered a balanced display in reception and attack, while Dino Vinkovič again impressed on the wing. In the middle, Danijel Koncilja and Rok Jerončič stood out once more, with Tonček Štern dominating as the opposite. The setter of the matchday was experienced Dejan Vinčić, whose float serve remains a serious challenge, while Grega Okroglič was named libero of the matchday.

Outside hitter Martin Kosmina finally managed to turn his consistently strong individual performances into a team victory for Krka. In reception, he was just over 50 per cent efficient and clearly targeted by Calcit’s servers, recording as many as 35 receptions—more than twice as many as any other receiver on his team. However, Calcit appear to have chosen the wrong target, as Kosmina still produced an impressive 34 per cent of excellent receptions. In attack, he was 54 per cent efficient, added two blocks, and although he was less effective from the service line, he finished the match with an outstanding plus-minus ratio of thirteen points.

Partnering with Kosmina in reception is Dino Vinkovič of Alpacem Kanal, a club that placed as many as four players in the team of the tenth matchday. Vinkovič excelled in reception with 63 per cent efficiency and 43 per cent excellent receptions. In attack, he operated just below 50 per cent efficiency at 45 per cent, recorded two aces from thirteen serves, finished with a positive points ratio of nine, and did not contribute any blocks.

The middle blocker positions in the team of the tenth matchday once again went to Rok Jerončič of Alpacem Kanal and Danijel Koncilja of Krka. Koncilja registered an impressive seven blocks in four sets, scored seven points from fifteen attacking attempts, and added one ace from thirteen serves. Jerončič contributed three blocks, was an outstanding 71 per cent efficient in attack with five points, and recorded five aces from a remarkable total of nineteen serves.

The opposite of the matchday is the indefatigable Tonček Štern. As if the demanding away fixture in the Champions League in Trento on Thursday had left no mark, he proceeded to dismantle the Carinthian team Fužinar Ravne on Saturday afternoon, finishing with 71 per cent attacking efficiency and a total of 21 points.

The setter of the matchday is Dejan Vinčić of Alpacem Kanal, earning the recognition largely because he has featured very little in recent rounds. The retired international setter once again demonstrated that his float serve remains a major challenge for receivers, serving no fewer than 21 times over four sets.

The libero of the matchday was once again Grega Okroglič of Alpacem Kanal, who recorded 77 per cent positive receptions and 31 per cent excellent receptions.