Steve Obradovich

Depending on how you look at it, Steve Obradovich is either unromantic or a great planner. What he isn't is boring. "Never a dull moment," the one they call O.B. said. There rarely is one with Obradovich, who once helped USC win a Rose Bowl and a national title in volleyball the same year (1977), and is regarded as one of the most colorful players in beach volleyball, his full-time sport of choice. But this week may be a topper.

Depending on how you look at it, Steve Obradovich is either unromantic or a great planner. What he isn't is boring. "Never a dull moment," the one they call O.B. said. There rarely is one with Obradovich, who once helped USC win a Rose Bowl and a national title in volleyball the same year (1977), and is regarded as one of the most colorful players in beach volleyball, his full-time sport of choice. But this week may be a topper.

As far as famous last words go, Steve Obradovich is no Lou Gehrig. "Unless they raise the prize money to about $8 million," said the veteran beach volleyball star, "all you're going to see is two elbows and a big fat butt going out the door." Quite the touching farewell. But if what Obradovich says is true and the power-hitting southpaw retires after this season, the tour's referees will consider themselves the luckiest men on the face of the earth.

As far as famous last words go, Steve Obradovich is no Lou Gehrig. "Unless they raise the prize money to about $8 million," said the veteran beach volleyball star, "all you're going to see is two elbows and a big fat butt going out the door." Quite the touching farewell. But if what Obradovich says is true and the power-hitting southpaw retires after this season, the tour's referees will consider themselves the luckiest men on the face of the earth.

The third--seeded team of Tim Hovland and Mike Dodd won the Long Beach Pro Open volleyball tournament Sunday by defeating Steve O'Obradovich and Ricci Luyites.

Team Cup volleyball, featuring America's most successful men's indoor and beach players, will open its fourth season tonight at the Forum with a pair of matches. Play begins at 7 p.m. The only professional indoor league in the United States is offering $100,000 in prize money to the 24 players competing in the six-night series. Stars from the gold-medal-winning 1988 U.S.

Two-time defending champions Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos will skip the Seal Beach Open pro beach volleyball championships to compete in a tournament in Almeria, Spain, Stoklos said Tuesday. Smith and Stoklos will be among 24 teams representing 14 countries at the Olympic Year '92 championships Aug. 12-16. The Seal Beach tournament is scheduled Aug. 14-16. The Spain tournament's $250,000 purse is a record for a beach event, and more than double what Seal Beach is offering.

Newport Beach's Steve Timmons could be facing a fine if he decides to return to the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals' beach tour in two weeks. Timmons would be fined a minimum $1,550 for skipping the AVP's Seal Beach Open two weeks ago to compete in the Olympic year '92 tournament in Almeria, Spain, a violation of the tour's players agreement. "I think any kind of fine is stupid," Timmons said Sunday.

Amanda Basica of Lomita and Janet Lee of Rancho Palos Verdes lost their second-round Wimbledon girls' doubles match to Julie Pullin and Lorna Woodroffe of Britain, 6-4, 6-0, Thursday. * As part of this weekend's Manhattan Beach Open, the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals is conducting a four-team master's pro beach volleyball tournament south of the pier.

Beach volleyball in recent years has been dominated by the team of Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos, but parity finally appears to be making inroads on the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals' tour. That was apparent Sunday when Smith-Stoklos, champions of the sport for the last three years, were ousted in the quarterfinals of the Venice Open by Craig Moothart and Steve Obradovich, ranked 21st and 23rd respectively. It became further apparent when Mike Dodd and Tim Hovland, who in past years have been second only to Smith-Stoklos, were beaten handily in the championship round by Olympian Karch Kiraly and Brent Frohoff.

The USC defending national champion men's volleyball team opens its season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with an exhibition match against a Trojan alumni team at Mira Costa High. USC returns its entire roster from last season, including 6-foot-7 senior All-American Bryan Ivie, a Mira Costa graduate, and senior setter Dan Greenbaum, a Rolling Hills High graduate.