Championship for boys (cadets)
The championship was played on seven volleyball courts and in three halls Višnjik1, Višnjik 2 and Mocire hall. The title of champion went to the team OK Split, which beat HAOK Mladost 2: 0 (25:14, 25:11), while the volleyball team celebrated the team OK Zadar, beating HAOK Mladost 2: 1 (20:25,25:17,15:7).
The volleyball players of OK Split showed an impressive game in the championship, losing only one set in seven games, against OK Olimpik in the semifinals. OK Split coach Marina Maleš did not hide her satisfaction with the victory and the game of her team at the championship:
“We came to the tournament with great expectations and rightly so because we have several national team members in the team. We have been preparing for this moment for a year, considering that we lost clumsily and unhappily in last year’s final. It is always a challenge to play against the Mladost team, but we believed in our game. From the beginning to the end, we played a very good and quality tournament, which resulted in a good result. We are happy to finally be on top.”
The men’s final brought an equal match in which the Zadar team celebrated, which was brought to the title by coach Antonio Surać:
“This is pure proof that the sport is not fair and that you never know what to expect. Last year I had an organized team that played 5: 1 and knew what to do. We lost in the final to IOC Mursa 2: 1. This year I adapted the system of the 4: 2 game to the team I had Luka Buljat, whom I would single out as a captain who was a real leader on and off the field. In the end, however, it was the struggle and the desire to win that set us apart from the other gathered teams.”
Championship for girls (cadets)
The third place in the women’s competition went to OK Olimpik, and among the younger cadets of the MOK Mursa – Osijek. The best blocker of the championship is Aurora Papac (HAOK MLADOST), the best setter Kate Lijić (OK SPLIT), the best striker Tonka Bošnjak (HAOK MLADOST), the best libero is Tija Kovčo (OK SPLIT), the best receiver is Petra Zec (OK OLIMPIK), and the best player of the championship is Ana Burilović (OK SPLIT). The best blocker of the tournament is Dino Šoš (MOK MURSA-OSIJEK), the best receiver Luka Nekić (OK ZADAR), the best setter Ivan Mustapić (OK RIBOLA KAŠTELA), the best striker Tin Devald (HAOK MLADOST), the best libero Tomislav Mamić (HAOK MLADOST) while is the best player Luka Buljat (OK ZADAR).
The championship in Zadar gathered 23 clubs in the women’s and 9 in the men’s competition. A total of more than 450 young volleyball players played during the weekend on the floors of Višnjik and Mocire Hall, while adhering to strict epidemiological measures.
