Slovenia’s reigning national champions OK Calcit KAMNIK remain unbeaten in the women’s MEVZA League after emerging victorious from their clash with second-placed Vasas Obuda BUDAPEST on Wednesday night. The convincing 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-21) on home soil means that the table leaders extended their winning streak to eight matches in a row and also that they have secured the first place in regular season. The Hungarian team, on the other hand, is now three points behind with a 6-3 win-loss record. Top scorers: Fatoumatta Sillah (19) and Lucille Charuk (17); Taylor Bannister (20) and Yuliya Boyko (9).
Alongside OK Calcit KAMNIK, Vasas Obuda BUDAPEST and Final Four tournament hosts VB NÖ SOKOL/POST are already qualified for this season’s climax scheduled in February.
Gregor Rozman, head coach OK Calcit KAMNIK: “We only had a minor crisis in the third set. We were already leading 19:14, when we started making some unnecessary mistakes. This is understandable on the one hand, but on the other hand a signal and a warning of what still needs to be fixed in our game. I am pleased with the victory, but it means nothing yet. We know what lies ahead and we need to prepare for it.”
In the men’s competition, OK Calcit KAMNIK secured three important points for the standing, winning 3-1 (17-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-23) at TJ Spartak MYJAVA to improve their chances in the race for a Final Four spot. The team from Slovenia is sitting in third place now on 25 points – six ahead of HAOK Mladost ZAGREB. Top scorers: Matus Konc (24), Michal Zeman and Patrik Pokopec (both 12); Mitja Gasparini (16) and Danilo Pavlovic (15).
Martin Pipa, head coach TJ Spartak MYJAVA: “I am happy that we are playing these international matches. My players are gaining experience that helps them to do steps forward. Today, we made some mistakes in the decisive moments. Congratulations to our opponents on that win.”
Matia Plesko, head coach OK Calcit KAMNIK: “We knew that it would be another tough match. After a difficult first set we finally started playing better and that brought us the win. Overall, we are satisfied. We have a team of good quality and we needed these three points for the standing to keep us in the race for a Final Four spot.”
In the second men’s MEVZA League match played on Wednesday, the unbeaten table leaders ACH Volley LJUBLJANA celebrated another clean sweep, cruising to a 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-21) home victory over Union Raiffeisen WALDVIERTEL. As a result, the “Orange Dragons” increased their points to 42 from 14 matches they have contested so far! Top scorers: Nikola Gjorgiev (13) and Jan Pokersnik (12); Daulton Sinoski (10) und Audrius Knasas (7).
Jan Pokersnik, captain f ACH Volley Ljubljana: “We had a great start and gained a comfortable lead. At the beginning of the second set our opponents showed that they are a strong team, but we proved once again that we are in very good shape and, despite our tough match schedule, we won today’s match without any problems.”
Mladen Kasic, head coach ACH Volley Ljubljana: “Congratulations to my team. We played a great first set, but then unforced errors crept in. Anyway, we had the match under control all the time and deservedly secured another three points.”
Women’s MEVZA League
26.01.: OK Calcit KAMNIK (SLO) vs. Vasas Óbuda BUDAPEST (HUN) 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-21)
25.01., 18:00: Nova KBM Branik MARIBOR (SLO) vs. OK Marina KASTELA (CRO) POSTPONED due COVID-19
26.01., 19:00: VB NÖ SOKOL/POST (AUT) vs. OK Marina KASTELA (CRO) POSTPONED due COVID-19
Men’s MEVZA League
26.01.: TJ Spartak MYJAVA (SVK) vs OK Calcit KAMNIK (SLO) 1-3 (25-17, 20-25, 26-28, 23-25)
26.01.: ACH Volley LJUBLJANA (SLO) vs. Union Raiffeisen WALDVIERTEL (AUT) 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-21)
28.01., 17:00: HAOK Mladost ZAGREB (CRO) vs. ACH Volley LJUBLJANA (SLO)
28.01., 19:00: TJ Spartak MYJAVA (SVK) vs. SK Zadruga AICH/DOB (AUT)
29.01., 18:00: VKP BRATISLAVA (SVK) vs. SK Zadruga AICH/DOB (AUT)
29.01., 20:00: UVC Holding GRAZ (AUT) vs. OK MERKUR MARIBOR (SLO)
30.01., 19:30: HAOK Mladost ZAGREB (CRO) vs. TJ Spartak MYJAVA (SVK)
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