Obradovic Keeps an Even Keel

In the last seven months, La Quinta High’s Milos Obradovic has seen many things in the United States that he couldn’t quite believe.

The Serbian exchange student has visited the bright lights of Las Vegas and experienced the magic of Disney World. He has also been stuck in a Southern California traffic jam.

In fact, he has grown so accustomed to his new surroundings, he plans to extend his stay beyond graduation in June to continue his education and volleyball career.

But those unthinkable newspaper headlines of April 23 still shake him.

On that day, he awoke in his host family’s home to a newspaper full of words and photos describing the bombings and destruction in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, his hometown.

“I looked at the newspaper and saw the pictures on the front page,” Obradovic said. “I opened up the paper because I thought someone was joking. It was really hard for me.”

That’s because Obradovic’s mother, Ljubica, and sister, Maria, live in Belgrade. His father Zoran, who works for a pharmaceutical company based in Costa Mesa, was traveling on business in Russia.

“All that day, I didn’t know anything about my family,” Obradovic said. “I was unable to reach anyone by phone. My whole family is in Belgrade.”

Half a world away, student life marched on at La Quinta High.

That night, Obradovic and his volleyball teammates had a key Garden Grove League match against Pacifica. Although Obradovic understandably didn’t play one of his better matches, he did have 11 kills in the fifth and deciding game to help the Aztecs win.

But he went home to his host family, the Fredricksens, and kept an all-night vigil in front of the television, hoping for any kind of new information.

“It was pretty sad to see,” Obradovic said. “I’ve spent time in those places. I knew what it looked like before.”

It wasn’t until days later that Obradovic finally spoke to any relatives--his grandparents in Kladovo, his birthplace, some 100 miles from Belgrade.

“They said everything was all right,” Obradovic said. “But I think they just didn’t want me to worry.”

Obradovic felt better after finally talking to his father, mother and sister, and hearing they were safe. But Obradovic, a senior, still isn’t completely comfortable.

“It was pretty scary to hear what my sister would tell me,” Obradovic said. “They could hear the bombs dropping and everything was shaking. I felt I should be there with them. I felt kind of guilty that I was here.”

Ben Fredricksen, a three-sport standout at La Quinta, said his new roommate seems to be taking it all in stride.

“He’s taking it well,” Fredricksen said. “On the other hand, I don’t know if he’s just playing it off and not saying anything. I mean, when he calls his friends and he can hear bombing in the background? That’s pretty crazy.

“Since this war started, he’s taught me a lot just how he’s handled it all, and adjusting to our living conditions. I know I don’t adjust this well.”

Obradovic has flourished in his new surroundings. He enjoys school life (“You don’t have to study as hard to get good grades here,” Obradovic said with a laugh). He’s tried new sports like water skiing and snow skiing.

And he loves playing a lot of volleyball.

Although La Quinta’s season ended Tuesday in the playoffs with a loss to defending Southern Section Division II champion Goleta Dos Pueblos, Obradovic finished the season strong, posting 100 kills in the four matches leading up to Tuesday’s second-round loss.

Obradovic has barely three years of playing experience, but his coaches still see plenty of potential.

“He’s one of the best players we’ve had here,” said La Quinta Coach Larry James, who has been at the school for 27 years and coached many standouts, including Mike Whitcomb, who played at UCLA. “His work ethic is great.”

Mike D’Alessandro, who has coached Golden West College to three consecutive state titles and also coaches club volleyball at Surf City, said Obradovic has collegiate potential.

“What I like about him most is his attitude,” D’Alessandro said.

One that’s a blend of on-court intensity and off-court relaxation.

“Milos has always wanted a time schedule,” Fredricksen said. “We’re trying to get him to relax, take it easy, go with the flow.”

Obradovic is taking a wait-and-see approach to college, though he admits Golden West College is the most likely option because he doesn’t want to start all over again in another country, another city, another community.

“My parents have always left it up to me,” Obradovic said. “I’ve always left it open, whether I would return to Europe to go to school or stay out here. But it would be hard to start all over again.

“I wanted to come and see what American high school was like, what I saw in the movies. Everyone wants to come to L.A., New York, Chicago, Seattle, but I could have ended up on a farm.

“I got lucky.”