The 2020-2021 edition of the MEVZA League resumed with two exciting national derbies on Saturday evening. The defending champions ACH Volley LJUBLJANA celebrated a hard-fought 3-0 (27-25, 25-21, 27-25) away win at their Slovenian rivals Calcit Volley KAMNIK.
PHOTO © Klemen Brumec
As a result, ACH Volley closed the gap on table leaders OK Merkur MARIBOR to a single point. The ‘Orange Dragons’ have secured five victories out of six MEVZA League matches they have contested so far. Calcit Volley, on the other hand, are sitting in fifth place on a 2-2 win-loss record.
“Tonight’s match was very similar to the first duel this season at the Tivoli. If you want to beat ACH Volley, you have to be more aggressive both with your serve and in attack. Moreover, our opponents performed much better in reception than we did,” Calcit Volley head coach Gregor Jeroncic explained. “Regardless of that,” he added, “we should have found better solutions in many situations. Despite all shortcomings, we were able to keep the score close in all three sets. Anyway, we have to work hard on improving our reception.”
PHOTO © Klemen Brumec
Calcit Volley’s Mitja Gasparini topped the match scorers on a total of 15 points, while Matej Kök hammered 13 for the winning side. Points analysis: spikes 40 vs 37, aces 3 vs 7, winning blocks 5 vs 8 and opponent errors 23 vs 27.
In the second national derby, SK Zadruga AICH/DOB emerged victorious from their clash with Union Raiffeisen WALDVIERTEL at the Stadthalle Zwettl. Austria’s heavyweight claimed a 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-21) win, although head coch Matjaz Hafner could not count on a full roster. Therefore, his team moved up to third place in the current standing on nine points followed by Union Waldviertel on six.
PHOTO © Union Raiffeisen WALDVIERTEL
“After the quarantine due some coronavirus cases, we are still missing match practice. We did not play badly, but we have to reduce our own mistakes to get back on track. Congratulations to AICH/DOB,” URW coach Zdenek Smejkal said. AICH/DOB’s sports director Martin Micheu was very satisfied with the way his team played in Zwettl: “What a terrific performance! We played very consistently. Today’s victory is especially important for our confidence.”
AICH/DOB’s Konrad Formela was the player of the match after delivering an impressive performance that saw him finishing on a personal tally of 26 points. Marek Sulc was the only to keep close, as WALDVIERTEL’s outside hitter managed to put 23 to his name. Points analysis: spikes 53 vs 50, aces 4 vs 2, winning blocks 13 vs 7 and opponent errors 16 vs 35.
MEVZA League main round
05.12.: Union Raiffeisen WALDVIERTEL (AUT) vs. SK Zadruga AICH/DOB (AUT) 1-3 (25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 21-25)
05.12.: OK Calcit KAMNIK (SLO) vs. ACH Volley LJUBLJANA (SLO) 0-3 (25-27, 21-25, 25-27)
09.12., 19:30: OK MERKUR MARIBOR (SLO) vs Union Raiffeisen WALDVIERTEL (AUT)
11.12., 19:30: UVC Holding GRAZ (AUT) vs SK Zadruga AICH/DOB (AUT)
results, match stats, schedule and standing
SPORTLIVE/PM
