A Lesson in Goals

Monica Vavic knows a little something about goals.

For the past three seasons, Bay League teams have game-planned against her, Palos Verdes fans have cheered for her.

Vavic's junior season in the pool for the Palos Verdes Sea Kings was going swimmingly. Leading the team in goals and to an undefeated league record.

Most athletes would be ecstatic to dominate their ranks, but in this case, we're not talking about most athletes.

Last month, the uber-talented junior decided she needed to move on to her next challenge.

Vavic who is the daughter of USC head water polo coach Jovan Vavic, decided that she wanted to focus on her studies and graduate early from high school in order to enroll at USC in the fall.

“I really didn’t have anything to do with it believe it or not,” Jovan said.

Vavic transferred to Rancho Del Mar High School, as she was unable to graduate in three years at Palos Verdes High School.

“It’s a completely different system in that you are set up with a syllabus for courses and you work at your own pace," Monica said. "I have always been an independent worker and this allows me to get everything done effectively and efficiently."

Effectiveness and efficiency. Two words associated with Vavic’s prowess in the pool, but for now it’s about working toward her next goal.

“Ever since I was little, I knew what I wanted career-wise," she said confidently. "I want to study business and then go on to law school.”

Her father has known for a long time that his daughter’s ambition and hard work were special traits.

“She has high aspirations and hopes to be in the Olympics one day," he said. "She didn’t believe that playing another season at PV would be the challenge she needed.”

From a coaching evaluation standpoint, aside from Monica’s tremendous offensive ability and feel for the game, her father points to something less obvious: “Her biggest strength is that she doesn’t have fear,” he said.

He recalled a tournament in Yugoslavia with several of the world’s best youth teams.  

After some convincing, Monica was allowed to play with a boys 12-and-under team, and scored six of the team's seven goals, while assisting on the other.

“She plays the game right," Jovan said. "It’s not about goals scored or personal accolades, but making sure your team is successful."

Monica, who follows her older brother Nikola, who starred this past season as a freshman for USC’s boys team, is excited to play for her father.

“My brother survived this year, I think I can," she said. "[Jovan] is one of the best in the nation, I grew up playing the way he taught me and I will get good training from the coaching staff and learn a lot."

While Monica has given up high school competition this season, she is working out in preparation for the next level and the competition ahead.  

“It’s rough to see [PV] having a little bit of a struggle without me, but I am positive and hopeful they will come through," she said. "I think they have an excellent chance going forward."

And though her former teammates will be competing in the CIF playoffs, the junior with goals in and out of the pool has no reservations about her decision.

“I have absolutely no regrets," she said.