Monarchs sign center, bolster frontcourt depth

On her way to grad school, Valeriya Berezhynska took a detour to Sacramento and a possible WNBA career.

"While I was shopping at the mall, I got a phone call, inviting me here," said the 6-foot-4 center from Rice. "I left my graduation party early to get on a plane to Sacramento."

The native of Ukraine was selected in the third round, No. 42 overall, by the Detroit Shock in April's college draft but was waived during training camp. She returned to Houston to attend her graduation from Rice, where she earned a degree in psychology.

Then, she got the Monarchs' invitation. Berezhynska, 22, signed a training camp contract Monday. She averaged 17 points and 9.9 rebounds her senior year at Rice.

"I was planning to work on my Ph.D. before going overseas this fall (to play in Europe)," Berezhynska said during Monday's media day. "I may still do that."

While in the ninth grade, Berezhynska came to the United States eight years ago, in part to play basketball. Her father, Andrey Berezhynski, is a 6-8 center and longtime professional player in Europe.

"I haven't seen my parents in eight years," she said, "but we stay in touch by computer."

Like Polish center and new teammate Izabela Piekarska, Berezhynska has a potent outside shot to go with her size inside. "I can score from anywhere on the floor," Berezhynska said. "Anything inside 17 feet is my range and, with some extra work, I could do three-pointers. I have agility most big people my size don't possess."

Without post players Yolanda Griffith or DeMya Walker this season, the Monarchs need help inside.

"We lose nothing right now to look," Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek said of Berezhynska's signing. "We've been watching the waiver wire. We've got this week left (before Saturday's season opener). We can still bring a player in. So, we're taking a look."

Hello, goodbye – The Monarchs signed a center but waived 6-2 free-agent forward Dionne Marsh. The ex-New Mexico star was cut Monday morning. In her only appearance for the Monarchs, she grabbed two rebounds and was scoreless in 15 minutes against the Washington Mystics in last week's exhibition game.

Meanwhile, forward Nicole Powell is on her way to Sacramento from Moscow after her Russian team was eliminated from the playoffs.

Linda Fröhlich, who was expected back from Italy last week, is still not in camp. The fourth-year forward returned home to Germany briefly and became ill with vertigo. She's now seeing specialists in Los Angeles.

"She's been sick," Boucek said. "Her doctors can't figure it out. We're hoping she'll be OK soon."

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