SACOBSERVER.COM STAFF REPORT

The Sacramento Monarchs drafted Michigan State University's Kristin Haynie at the 2005 WNBA Draft on Saturday.

Haynie was the ninth pick in the first round of the draft that was held at the NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, NJ.

A 5'8" guard from Mason, Michigan, Haynie received Honorable Mention honors for the 2005 Associated Press All-American Team. Haynie was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team and was the MVP of the Big Ten Tournament in 2005. Haynie became the fourth player in Big Ten history to accumulate career totals of 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 300 steals. She also set Michigan State's single-season steals record with 117 in 2005.

"Kristin Haynie is the player that the Monarchs coaching staff has had as our number one pick for weeks," Monarchs General Manager and Head Coach John Whisenant said. "Her assists/turnover ratio (2.34) was the best in the Big Ten. She's a leader on the court that can push and back up Ticha Penicheiro."

Sacramento also selected Chelsea Newton from Rutgers University with the 9th pick in the second round of the 2005 WNBA Draft (22nd overall). A 5'11" guard from Monroe, Louisiana, Newton was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-Big East Third Team selection in 2005.

Whisenant commented, "Chelsea Newton is a do everything kind of player and will fit well with the Monarchs style of play."

In the third round the Monarchs drafted Anne O'Neil (30th overall pick) from Iowa State University and Cisti Greenwalt (35th overall pick) from Texas Tech University. O'Neil, a 5'11" guard, earned Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention honors and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team in 2005. Greenwalt, a 6'5" center, was a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2005 and finished her career at Texas Tech as the all-time leader in blocked shots (300).

The Sacramento Monarchs will begin Training Camp for the 2005 WNBA Season on Sunday, April 24. The first of two Monarchs home preseason games will be played on Friday, May 6, versus the Chinese National Team at 7 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium. The final home preseason game will be on Thursday, May 12, versus the Phoenix Mercury at 7 p.m. at ARCO Arena.

The Sacramento Monarchs will play their regular season home opener on Saturday, June 4, at ARCO Arena when the Monarchs host the Los Angeles Sparks at 1:00 p.m. in a game to be nationally televised on ABC.