Opposites hope to go out on same note

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

In each other, University of Hawai'i volleyball players Dejan Miladinovic and Vernon Podlewski see their funhouse-mirror images.

Vernon Podlewski, left, and Dejan Miladinovic don't share many similarities, but the two have forged a solid friendship. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I'm tall," Miladinovic said, "and he's not."

Miladinovic, a middle blocker, was raised in Kraljevo, Serbia; Podlewski, a libero, grew up in Makawao, Maui.

"That's why I'm nice and warm," Podlewski said, "and he's not."

Miladinovic is a stare master who rarely smiles on the court. "I have a poker face," he said, proudly.

"I have a go-fish face," said Podlewski, whose emotions do not have an "off" switch.

Still, they are friends who will play their final regular-season matches against Brigham Young tonight and tomorrow in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I'm going to miss this," said Podlewski, who transferred to UH in December 2000.

After graduating from Maui High in 1994, Podlewski worked for United Airlines for a few years before enrolling at Santa Barbara City College.

"We wanted him out of high school, but he decided he wanted to get a job," UH coach Mike Wilton said. "When we found out he was available, we invited him to play for us."

Despite not competing in fall training camp in 2000, Podlewski earned the starting job at libero after only a few workouts in January 2001.

"He works very hard, and he's a good passer," Wilton said. "The primary job for a libero is to pass the ball. That's the platform we build off offensively."

Podlewski, who is majoring in environmental studies, enjoys getting down and dirty. "Unlike Dejan," he said, "I use my kneepads."

Podlewski also inspires teammates with his goofy antics.

"He keeps us loose most of the time," Wilton said. "He's often a little bit left of zany."

Said Podlewski: "I put on a smile because I'm having fun."

Miladinovic rolled his eyes and said, "He's posing for the crowd. I think he's looking for attention."

"I think Dejan doesn't smile because he has a hairy back," Podlewski said.

"You have hairy forearms," Miladinovic responded.

"Women don't care about that," Podlewski said. "But they notice if someone has a hairy back."

Miladinovic grinned.

"See that?" Podlewski said. "He knows how to smile."

Miladinovic admitted, "I do have a business face. I take every match seriously. I do smile when things are going well, when I have a reason to smile. But I've always been serious. Back home, they used to call me, 'Grump.' But you know what? That's how I am."

The political and social problems in his homeland during the past decade probably darkened his mood.

Although his family was "comfortable" — his father is a mechanical engineer, his mother is a pharmacist — "I did experience my share of hardship," Miladinovic said. "The '90s were not the best times in Yugoslavia. The country went through a bunch of wars all over. The economic situation wasn't good. Crime was on the rise, with all of the war and guns. My hometown was pretty peaceful, but the political situation was unstable."

Miladinovic had welcomed a change, and the opportunity came when a friend of a friend made a recommendation to Wilton.

"We received a tape of him, and that got us started," Wilton recalled. "There were many phone calls and e-mails. It was obvious he was skilled and a good read blocker and attacker. He had high marks in school."

During his junior season, Miladinovic underwent surgery to repair ligament damage in his right shoulder. He received a medical hardship, and last year emerged as one of the nation's best middle blockers. This year, he is second nationally with 1.8 blocks per game. In December, he earned a bachelor's degree in economics.

"Before I came here, I didn't know anything about Hawai'i," he said. "But it's been more than I would ever imagine. In five years, I've experienced many things. I can almost say I've had it all. It's been a memorable five years, one of the best periods of my life. I've made a lot of great friends ..."

He paused, then added, "like Vernon."

"We're best friends," Podlewski said.