Monarchs Blog and Q&A

Bee staff writer Melody Gutierrez grew up in Twentynine Palms. At 14-years-old, she decided to combine her two passions -- sports and writing -- when she became a special assignments reporter for the Desert Trail, her hometown weekly newspaper. Melody headed to Northern California in 2000 to attend Chico State and has remained in the region ever since. She earned an internship with The Bee and subsequently became a staff writer in 2004 and has covered virtually every sport, starting with high schools, up through college and then the pros. Melody took over coverage of the Monarchs last season and chronicled the team's pursuit of a second straight league championship -- a quest that fell just short.

Melody welcomes your questions and will answer as many as she can as the season progresses.

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June 14, 2007

Boucek takes a health break

Highlights from Thursday's practice:

Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek missed Thursday's practice while at a doctor's appointment for a follow-up exam. Boucek was hospitalized for two nights in April at UC Davis Medical Center with intestinal inflammation.

The Monarchs' scheduling break provided the perfect opportunity for the checkup. Monarchs assistant coaches Tom Abatemarco, Monique Ambers and Steve Shuman ran today's practice.

• Monarchs backup point guard Kristin Haynie is still sporting a black eye, which she got after taking an elbow to the face in the Houston win on Monday.

• Inactive reserve Kim Smith played well today while scrimmaging against her team. Smith partnered with the male practice players, who were short a player. In previous practices, retired star Ruthie Bolton has played with the men against the Monarchs.

• Reigning league Player of the Week Rebekkah Brunson is fast becoming this reporter's favorite interview. She might have noticed because I keep requesting her during media availability at the practice facility.

Of late, Brunson has been articulate and insightful, no matter the topic. In previous seasons Brunson was a difficult interview because of her shyness and affinity for sports clichés.

It appears the four-year Monarchs veteran is on the top of everyone's list after becoming the first on her bench to be named the Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday.

- Melody Gutierrez

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz, June 14, 2007 05:58 PM

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