Antonijevic, USA claim bronze at Pan Am Games

Stevenson High School graduate Nikola Antonijevic and his teammates on the USA Boys Youth National Volleyball team made quite an impression at the Pan American Games in Mexicali, Mexico.

And the best may be yet to come.

Despite only practicing as a team twice prior to the start of the games, this USA team brought home a bronze medal. Next up, the team competes Aug. 19-28 at the Youth World Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“We did really well playing against teams that had been training together for years now,” said Antonijevic, a 6-foot-9, 195-pound middle blocker. “It was pretty crazy that we still got a medal.”

USA lost in three games to Brazil in the semifinals before rebounding in Saturday’s bronze medal match. This time, despite playing in front of a very partisan crowd, it was the USA that did not drop a game,

“It was a packed stadium,” said Antonijevic, who started every match and had six kills and three blocks against Mexico. “Everyone was cheering for Mexico, but we didn’t let it get to us.”

Antonijevic came into the Pan American Games playing the best volleyball of his short volleyball career (four years). As a senior at Stevenson, he made the switch to outside hitter and pounded home 298 kills.

“I picked it up pretty quickly,” he said. “I liked getting a taste of another position; it helps you understand the game better.” 

In college, Antonijevic will move back to middle blocker. Antonijevic will play for national power Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.

For the second consecutive year, Antonijevic was invited to try out for the USA Boys Youth National Team. This time around, though, he was a vastly improved player. That can be contributed to another year of match experience combined with the dogged work he logged in the weight room. When he went to Team USA tryouts, he had added 20 pounds to his still-developing frame.

“It helped me jump higher, swing harder and move quicker,” he said. “During practices with my club team, people would tell me that I was hitting the ball a lot harder.” 

And Antonijevic may still be growing. Four of his cousins and uncles are 7-foot or taller.

Antonijevic’s contribution in Mexico impressed his teammates and coaches.

“My coaches told me I played well in the tournament, which was good to hear,” he said. “I got better each game.”

Prior to the Youth World Championships, Team USA will have more time to practice with each other. As a result, hopes are high they will be the first youth volleyball team from the USA to advance out of pool play.

For Antonijevic, nothing compares to a volleyball match where his jersey reads U.S.A.

“We would walk out before our games and the flag would be in front of us,” he said. “I haven’t had a better feeling than playing for my country.”

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