Aug. 15, 2006
Three former Lady Monarch's will try to lead their respective teams to theWNBA crown when the playoffs begin Thursday.
Defending WNBA champion Sacramento Monarhcs led by Ticha Penicheiro ('98)and Hamchetou Maiga ('01) open up the playoffs with Houston, while theSeattle Storm coached by Anne Donovan ('83), winners of the 2004 WNBAcrown open up with Los Angeles on Friday.
Penicheiro started all 34 games this year and averaged 5.4 points, 1.9 steals, and 3.4 assists. She ranks ninth in the WNBA in steals and 14thin assists. Penicheiro was inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame inApril.
Hamchetou Maiga started seven games this year, averaging5.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Sacramento finished second in the Western Conference with a 21-13 record.They will meet third seed Houston (18-16) beginning on Thursday at 9pmin Houston on NBA TV. Game two will be Saturday at 3:30 pm on ABC in Sacramento and if there is a game three, that will be Monday at 10 p.m.in Sacramento at 10 p.m.
Anne Donovan who is also the US National coach has the Seattle Stormas the number four seed in the West after an 18-16 record. The openagainst the top seed Los Angeles Sparks (25-9) on Friday at 10 p.m..Game two will be Sunday at 5 p.m. and game three, if needed will beTuesday at 10 p.m.