Krim Women edged a five-set thriller against Radovljica Women in the 1. DOL Women, winning 3-2 on the road. The visitors took the match 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25 and 15-13, in a contest that swung repeatedly and demanded composure deep into the deciding set. Radovljica Women pushed the match to the limit, but Krim Women found the decisive points when it mattered most.

Match overview

The opening set set the tone for a closely fought evening. Krim Women were slightly sharper in the closing phase, breaking away from 20-20 to take it 25-22. Radovljica responded well in the second, improving their serve-reception and finding more joy through the middle. A tight finish went their way 25-23, levelling the match and bringing the home crowd into the contest.

Krim Women regained control in the third set, using their block to slow down Radovljica’s outside attack. The visitors led for most of the frame and closed it 25-20. Radovljica, however, refused to fade. They produced a strong fourth set, capitalised on a dip in Krim’s serving accuracy and forced a decider with a 25-22 win. The fifth set was tense, point for point, until Krim Women created a small gap at 13-11 and held on to win 15-13.

Key moments

• First-set break: Krim Women won four straight points from 20-20 to claim the opening frame.
• Radovljica’s response: A well-timed block in the second set gave the hosts a 24-22 lead, and they converted on their second set point.
• Deciding set: At 12-12 in the fifth, Krim Women produced a side-out, a block and a transition kill to reach match point before sealing the win.

Tactical story

This was a match of adjustments. Radovljica Women initially struggled with Krim’s serve, which targeted the seams and forced the home side into predictable attacking patterns. As the match progressed, Radovljica improved their first contact and began to involve the middle more often, which stretched Krim’s block. That adjustment was central to their second- and fourth-set successes.

Krim Women, for their part, relied on their defensive resilience and the quality of their outside hitters in transition. They were particularly strong in the fifth set, where they reduced errors and made Radovljica play one extra ball in several rallies. The visitors’ serving became more conservative late on, but their block-defence connection remained solid enough to deny Radovljica the final push.

Standout performers

Lana Oblak was Krim Women’s leading attacking threat, carrying a heavy load in the decisive moments and scoring from both the front and back row. Ana Zupan was excellent for Radovljica Women, keeping the hosts alive with important kills and strong serving runs. Krim’s setter also deserve credit for managing the offence through a chaotic match, while Radovljica’s middle blockers gave their side a valuable presence at the net.

League impact

The five-set victory gives Krim Women two points for the win and keeps them in the thick of the 1. DOL Women race. Radovljica Women take a point from the defeat, which may prove useful, but the manner of the loss will sting after they fought back to force a decider. The result highlights how fine the margins are in the division: a single block, a single serve or a single transition error can separate the teams. Krim Women leave with the win, but Radovljica will take confidence from pushing one of the league’s stronger sides to the brink.