At the 2024 Slovenian National Snow Volleyball Championships, held recently at Krvavec Ski Resort, the reigning men`s champions – Tadej Boženk, Danijel Pokeršnik, and Denis Robida, this year joined by Matej Rapnik – successfully defended their title. In the women`s category, Špela Marušič, Polona Marušič, and Anja Mazej secured their inaugural championship victory.
This fourth national Snow Volleyball championship, a collaboration between the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia (OZS) and RTC Krvavec, garnered unprecedented interest, drawing a record 27 participating teams. The intense matches unfolded simultaneously across four dedicated courts on the snowy terrain. In the eagerly anticipated men`s final, the seasoned team of Tadej Boženk, Danijel Pokeršnik, and Denis Robida, with Matej Rapnik replacing Alan Košenina for this edition, faced a spirited challenge from the younger trio of Klemen Mohar, Urban-Urh Jakše, and Benjamin Gašpar. After a fiercely contested battle spanning three sets, the more experienced side ultimately triumphed 2-1 (15-12, 16-18, 15-12).
It feels amazing to defend our title! The competition was fierce, but our team`s hard work paid off. I`m incredibly proud of what we achieved here at Krvavec.
Denis Robida, Slovenian national champion and Most Valuable Player
Urban-Urh Jakše, whose team secured second place, reflected on their performance: “The competition was incredibly tough. Our strategy revolved around sheer determination; we fought for every point as if it were our last. This resolve propelled us to the final, where unfortunately, a few minor errors cost us the win.” The bronze medals in the men`s division were claimed by the championship`s youngest team – Miha Kosanec, Lan Juvan, and Benjamin Mugerli. Their impressive showing saw them defeat the more experienced team of Gregor Felkar, Jernej Borlinić, and Nejc Berčič in the bronze medal match with scores of 15-13 and 15-9.
Women`s Competition Highlights
In the women’s competition, Špela Marušič, Polona Marušič, and Anja Mazej, with Mazej making a notable debut in Snow Volleyball, celebrated their gold medal victory.
Winning our first national title is a dream come true! Our team played exceptionally well, and I couldn`t be happier with this gold medal at the Slovenian Snow Volleyball Championships.
Špela Marušič, Newly crowned Slovenian national champion and Most Valuable Player of the women`s tournament
Last year’s champions, Sara Valenčič, Anastazija Žnidar, and Teja Kolbl, finished as runners-up, losing the final 8-15, 9-15. Valenčič commented, “Congratulations to the winners. The teams are noticeably stronger than last year, and the overall quality of play continues to improve, which is fantastic for the sport. We’ll learn from this and aim for gold again next year. A medal is still a medal, and we are content with our second-place finish.” The bronze medal in the women`s category was secured by Maša Margon, Maša Knific, and Ana Marija Grabec, who decisively beat Eva Pavlič, Kaja Gimpelj, and Anja Mitrovič 15-8, 15-9 in the small final.
The Volleyball Federation of Slovenia expresses great satisfaction with its ongoing collaboration with RTC Krvavec, which has hosted the nation`s top Snow Volleyball players for the third consecutive year. According to RTC Krvavec director Janez Janša, high-level matches at the Krvavec Beach venue are expected to return next year.
We are thrilled to have hosted such a successful event for the third time. The energy and passion for Snow Volleyball here are incredible, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming the top players back to Krvavec Beach next year.
Janez Janša, Director of RTC Krvavec
Finley Blackwood