# Montenegrin women's volley league

The Montenegrin Women's Volley League (Montenegrin: Prva crnogorska ženska odbojkaška liga), is the highest professional women's volleyball league in Montenegro. It is run by the Montenegrin Volleyball Federation.

## History
### Before independence

First volleyball competitions for women in Montenegro were organised at first half of 90's. At the time of FR Yugoslavia, Montenegrin Republic Volleyball Federation organised Republic League, with first season at 1995. Winners of Montenegrin Republic League (1995–2006) were: AOK Rudar Pljevlja (3), ŽOK Podgorica (3), ŽOK Budućnost Podgorica (2), ŽOK Ibar Rožaje (1), ŽOK Nikšić (1) and ŽOK Studentski centar Podgorica (1). At the same time, than the only professional women's volleyball club from Montenegro – ŽOK Luka Bar participated in Yugoslav First League since 1994. and, after that, in European competitions. Biggest success in Yugoslav First League, Luka Bar achieved on season 2003-2004, when they finished season on the third place. While Luka Bar played constantly in the First League, ŽOK Rudar played two seasons in Yugoslav Second League (2002-2003, 2003-2004) and ŽOK Podgorica one season (2003-2004).

### After independence

In 2006, Montenegro split from Serbia. Following that, the First women's volley league of Montenegro was formed as a top national competition. Since founded, Montenegrin League had a various number of participants, from 8 to 10. Except the First League, women's volleyball competitions system in Montenegro including the Second league and Montenegrin Cup. ŽOK Luka Bar, has been the most successful team, winning 12 national champions' titles. Since the 2016–17 season, the winner of the Montenegrin First League has played in the CEV Women's Champions League.

#### Competition format

Every season of First League have two parts. During the first, 'regular season', there is a round-robin system in which all clubs play two games against every single opponent. At the end of the first part, four best-placed teams are playing in the playoffs. Additionally, two worst-placed teams are playing in the playout series.
In the playoffs semifinals, the first-placed team is playing against fourth, and second against third. Placement in finals is gained by teams which won two matches. The final-series is played until one opponent gains three wins.

#### Number of participants

From the season 2006/07, Montenegrin First League had various number of participants on regular season, from 6 to 10.

## Champions

Since the inaugural season (2006/07), three clubs have been the champions of the Montenegrin women's volley league. ŽOK Luka Bar won 11 titles, ŽOK Galeb 2 titles and ŽOK Budućnost 1 title. Below is the list of top-placed teams by every single season.

### Titles by seasons

| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Third | Playoffs final series |
| 2006–07 | Luka Bar | Podgorica | Rudar | Luka Bar – Podgorica 3–2 |
| 2007–08 | Luka Bar | Podgorica | Rudar | Luka Bar – Podgorica 3–0 |
| 2008–09 | Luka Bar | Rudar | Podgorica | Luka Bar – Rudar 3–1 |
| 2009–10 | Galeb | Luka Bar | Budućnost | Galeb – Luka Bar 3–1 |
| 2010–11 | Galeb | Luka Bar | Budućnost | Galeb – Luka Bar 3–1 |
| 2011–12 | Budućnost | Luka Bar | Morača | Budućnost – Luka Bar 3–2 |
| 2012–13 | Luka Bar | Budućnost | Rudar | Luka Bar – Budućnost 3–0 |
| 2013–14 | Luka Bar | Budućnost | Galeb | Luka Bar – Budućnost 3–0 |
| 2014–15 | Luka Bar | Morača | Galeb | Luka Bar – Morača 3–0 |
| 2015–16 | Luka Bar | Rudar | Morača | Luka Bar – Rudar 3–0 |
| 2016–17 | Luka Bar | Galeb | Rudar | Luka Bar – Galeb 3–0 |
| 2017–18 | Luka Bar | Rudar | Galeb | Luka Bar – Rudar 3–0 |
| 2018–19 | Luka Bar | Morača | Galeb | Luka Bar – Morača 3–0 |
| 2019–20 | Luka Bar | Morača | Galeb | Canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| 2020–21 | Luka Bar | Galeb | Morača | Luka Bar – Galeb 3–2 |
| 2021–22 | Galeb | Luka Bar | Albatros | Galeb - Luka Bar 3-0 |
| 2022–23 | Herceg Novi | Galeb | Luka Bar | Herceg Novi - Galeb 3-0 |
Sources:

### Titles by team

| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning Years |
| ŽOK Luka Bar | 12 | 4 | 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21 |
| ŽOK Galeb Bar | 3 | 2 | 2009–10, 2010–11, 2021-22 |
| ŽOK Budućnost Podgorica | 1 | 2 | 2011–12 |
| ŽOK Herceg Novi | 1 | - | 2022–23 |
| AOK Rudar Pljevlja | - | 3 | |
| ŽOK Morača Podgorica | - | 3 | |
| ŽOK Podgorica | - | 2 | |

## Performances by clubs
### Final placements

Clubs which played every single season in Montenegrin Volley League are ŽOK Luka Bar and ŽOK Gimnazijalac. Below is the list of final placements of every club by single season.
| Club | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| Albatros | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Akademija | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4 | 5 |
| Budućnost | 6 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | – | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| Budvanska Rivijera | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Galeb | – | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Gimnazijalac | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 10 |
| Gorštak | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 9 | 10 | 10 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Herceg Novi | – | – | – | – | – | 8 | 8 | – | – | 7 | 8 | 7 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Ibar | 4 | 8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Jedinstvo | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 7 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Lovćen | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Luka Bar | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Mediteran | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Mladost | – | – | – | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Morača | – | – | – | – | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Nikšić | 5 | 7 | – | – | – | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | – | – | – |
| Podgorica | 2 | 2 | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Rudar | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | – |
| Sokogym | – | – | 6 | 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sutjeska | 8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
07 = season 2006/07

### All-time participants

Since its foundation, 20 clubs have participated. Below is a list of participants with the number of seasons in the First League and all-time score. Matches from the playoffs series are included.
| Club | Town | Ssn | First | Last | G | W | L | Pts |
| Luka Bar | Bar | 17 | 2006–07 | 2022–23 | 370 | 328 | 42 | 698 |
| Galeb | Bar | 16 | 2007–08 | 2022–23 | 309 | 210 | 99 | 519 |
| Rudar | Pljevlja | 16 | 2006–07 | 2021–22 | 300 | 169 | 131 | 469 |
| Budućnost | Podgorica | 15 | 2006–07 | 2022–23 | 284 | 123 | 161 | 407 |
| Morača | Podgorica | 12 | 2010–11 | 2022–23 | 236 | 135 | 101 | 371 |
| Gimnazijalac | Kotor | 17 | 2006–07 | 2022–23 | 273 | 55 | 218 | 328 |
| Nikšić | Nikšić | 11 | 2006–07 | 2019–20 | 179 | 41 | 138 | 220 |
| Budvanska Rivijera | Budva | 7 | 2011–12 | 2017–18 | 118 | 57 | 61 | 175 |
| Herceg Novi | Herceg Novi | 6 | 2011–12 | 2022–23 | 107 | 45 | 62 | 152 |
| Podgorica | Podgorica | 4 | 2006–07 | 2009–10 | 79 | 45 | 34 | 124 |
| Albatros | Herceg Novi | 4 | 2019–20 | 2022–23 | 73 | 43 | 30 | 116 |
| Jedinstvo | Bijelo Polje | 5 | 2018–19 | 2022–23 | 81 | 26 | 55 | 107 |
| Mediteran | Budva | 5 | 2018–19 | 2022–23 | 81 | 19 | 62 | 100 |
| Gorštak | Kolašin | 3 | 2014–15 | 2016–17 | 54 | 7 | 47 | 61 |
| Akademija | Tivat | 2 | 2021–22 | 2022–23 | 38 | 21 | 17 | 59 |
| Sokogym | Podgorica | 2 | 2008–09 | 2009–10 | 34 | 14 | 20 | 48 |
| Ibar | Rožaje | 2 | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | 34 | 9 | 25 | 43 |
| Lovćen | Cetinje | 1 | 2014–15 | 2014–15 | 18 | 2 | 16 | 20 |
| Mladost | Tivat | 1 | 2009–10 | 2009–10 | 18 | 1 | 17 | 19 |
| Sutjeska | Nikšić | 1 | 2006–07 | 2006–07 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 15 |
Note: 2 points for win, 1 for defeat

## Current season

Season 2023–24 is 18th edition of Montenegrin women's volley league. League have ten participants. League started in October 2023 and will finish in May 2024.
| Team | Arena | Capacity | City |
| Akademija | Župa | 900 | Tivat |
| Albatros | SC Igalo | 2,000 | Herceg Novi |
| Budućnost | Medical School | 1,000 | Podgorica |
| Galeb | Topolica | 3,000 | Bar |
| Herceg Novi | SC Igalo | 2,000 | Herceg Novi |
| Jedinstvo | SC Nikoljac | 3,000 | Bijelo Polje |
| Luka Bar | Topolica | 3,000 | Bar |
| Morača | Medical School | 1,000 | Podgorica |
| Mediteran | Mediterranean SC | 1,500 | Budva |
| Rudar | Ada SC | 3,000 | Pljevlja |

## Second League

Competition was founded at 2006, with first season 2006–07.
At the end of every season, a new member of the First League became a winner of Second Montenegrin League. If winner is the 'B' team (second team) of some club, promotion is gained to next best-placed participant of Second League.
So far, winners of the Montenegrin Second Women Volley League were:
| Season | Champion | Runner-up |
| 2006–07 | Galeb Bar | Mladost Tivat |
| 2007–08 | Rudar 'B' Pljevlja | Sokogym Podgorica |
| 2008–09 | Mladost Tivat | Ibar Rožaje |
| 2009–10 | Galeb 'B' Bar | Morača Podgorica |
| 2010–11 | Nikšić | Herceg Novi |
| 2011–12 | DNP | DNP |
| 2012–13 | Galeb 'B' Bar | Morača 'B' Podgorica |
| 2013–14 | Galeb 'B' Bar | Lovćen Cetinje |
| 2014–15 | Rudar 'B' Pljevlja | Ibar Rožaje |
| 2015–16 | Galeb 'B' Bar | Luka Bar 'B' |
| 2016–17 | Galeb 'B' Bar | Ibar Rožaje |
| 2017–18 | Galeb 'B' Bar | Luka Bar 'B' |
| 2018–19 | Luka Bar 'B' | Budućnost Podgorica |
| 2019–20 | Interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic | Interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| 2020–21 | Akademija Tivat | Gorštak Kolašin |
| 2021–22 | Herceg Novi | Gorštak Kolašin |
| 2022–23 | Rudar Pljevlja | Tempo Nikšić |
Season 2019-20 was interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Montenegrin volleyball federation decided that the champions of the Second League were the winners of five groups from the preliminary phase of competition (Ivangrad; Herceg Novi; Akademija; Galeb "B"; Gorštak).

## Montenegrin women's volleyball clubs in European competitions

Montenegrin women's volleyball clubs have been participating in the CEV competitions since the 1998–99 season.
The first team which competed in European cups was ŽOK Luka Bar. ŽOK Galeb and ŽOK Herceg Novi are the other teams to play in CEV competitions. Montenegrin women's volleyball teams played in Women's CEV Cup and CEV Women's Challenge Cup, and from the season 2016–17 in the qualifiers for CEV Women's Champions League. During the overall history, three Montenegrin clubs have played in CEV competitions.
| Team | Seasons | G | W | L |
| ŽOK Luka Bar | 7 | 21 | 2 | 19 |
| ŽOK Herceg Novi | 2 | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| ŽOK Galeb Bar | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
As of the end of CEV competitions 2023–24 season.