The 2024 Slovenian National Snow Volleyball Championships took place last Sunday at Krvavec Ski Resort. The reigning men`s champions, Tadej Boženk, Danijel Pokeršnik, and Denis Robida, with the addition of Matej Rapnik this year, successfully defended their title. Meanwhile, Špela Marušič, Polona Marušič, and Anja Mazej secured their inaugural women`s championship win.
This fourth national Snow Volleyball championship, co-organized by the Slovenian Volleyball Federation (OZS) and RTC Krvavec, generated significant interest, drawing a record 27 participating teams. Competitions unfolded simultaneously across four snow-covered courts.
The men`s final saw the defending champions – Tadej Boženk, Danijel Pokeršnik, Denis Robida, and their 2024 addition Matej Rapnik (replacing Alan Košenina) – clash with the promising young team of Klemen Mohar, Urban-Urh Jakše, and Benjamin Gašpar. After a hard-fought three-set match, the seasoned champions prevailed 2-1 (15-12, 16-18, 15-12).
“The competition was very strong, and our strategy was based on our determination. We fought for every ball as if it was the last one, and that is how we managed to reach the final where we, unfortunately, lost due to a few minor mistakes.”
Urban-Urh Jakše
Second-place finisher
Urban-Urh Jakše, whose team secured second place, remarked, “The competition was intense, and our approach was fueled by sheer determination. We contested every point fiercely, which enabled us to reach the final. Unfortunately, small errors cost us the win there.”
The bronze medals were awarded to the championship`s youngest team: Miha Kosanec, Lan Juvan, and Benjamin Mugerli. They delivered impressive performances, ultimately triumphing over the more seasoned trio of Gregor Felkar, Jernej Borlinić, and Nejc Berčič with scores of 15-13 and 15-9 in the bronze medal match.
In the women`s division, Špela Marušič, Polona Marušič, and debutante Anja Mazej successfully secured the gold medal.
“Congratulations to the champions. The teams are noticeably stronger than last year, and the overall quality is consistently improving, which is fantastic. We`ll learn from this, and next year presents another chance to aim for gold. A medal is still a medal, and we`re pleased with our silver.”
Špela Marušič
Newly crowned Slovenian national champion and Most Valuable Player of the women`s tournament
Last year`s title holders, Sara Valenčič, Anastazija Žnidar, and Teja Kolbl, finished as runners-up after a final loss with scores of 8-15 and 9-15. Valenčič commented, “Congratulations to the champions. The teams are noticeably stronger than last year, and the overall quality is consistently improving, which is fantastic. We`ll learn from this, and next year presents another chance to aim for gold. A medal is still a medal, and we`re pleased with our silver.”
The bronze medal in the women`s event went to Maša Margon, Maša Knific, and Ana Marija Grabec, who defeated Eva Pavlič, Kaja Gimpelj, and Anja Mitrovič 15-8 and 15-9 in the third-place playoff.
The Slovenian Volleyball Federation expressed great satisfaction with their partnership with RTC Krvavec, which has now hosted Slovenia`s top Snow Volleyball players for three consecutive years. Janez Janša, director of RTC Krvavec, confirmed that high-level matches at `Krvavec Beach` are planned to return next year.
