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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July 13, 2007

Q&A with San Antonio's Erin Buescher

Erin Buescher's smile is contagious. It always has been. She may have left the Monarchs during free agency in March, but fans here never stopped rooting for her. That's why news that she tore her anterior cruicate ligament Wednesday had Monarchs fans and players somberly shaking their heads.
Not Erin. Not now.
The Silver Stars starting forward was putting up career-highs with ease. This had to be devastating news for the 28-year-old. During a 10-minute interview from her San Antonio apartment, Erin's infectious optimism transmitted through the phone.

How are you doing?
ERIN: I'm doing OK. It's disappointing, but I do believe that God has a plan and this is part of it.

When is your surgery?
ERIN: In 10 days. It's weird. I think I've jammed a finger before this. That's it. In that way I guess I can't complain. One injury is pretty good.

It sounds like you are trying to keep a positive outlook on all this.
ERIN: Of course it's disappointing and frustrating and it's sad. I love this team and not being able to be a part of it is sad, but there are other ways I will be a part of it.

What have you heard about the surgery on July 23?
ERIN: It will be interesting. They put a tube down my throat so I can breathe when I'm under. Hearing about that made me queasy.

Have you gotten a lot of support through this?
ERIN: A lot of people have come out of the wood works. My teammates were amazing. Yesterday, they were in here non-stop at my apartment cooking and trying to clean. They brought me a bunch of DVDs. They were just hanging out.

What will be the toughest part for you?
ERIN: I like activity, not just basketball, but staying active. I was supposed to be home for the All-Star break and out at the beach. But some things are just out of your control. There are lessons in every situation in life.

But the timing? You have to be upset about the timing? You had just been named Player of the Week and scored a career-high 27 points against Seattle on July 7.
ERIN: That's frustrating, but it's interesting. The last few games I've played some of the best games I've played in the WNBA. Honestly, it came easily. I really believe that was from The Lord. He gave me those games and I do believe He gave me this, too.

Will your family be coming to San Antonio to be with you?
ERIN: My mom will come out. I'm trying to get home before the surgery, because I won't be able to after.

What else did the doctors tell you? Did you think it was an ACL tear initially?
ERIN: They also said that I dislocated my kneecap. I felt a strong dislocation. It felt so wrong. It was pretty yucky. I felt it slide. It came undone and slid to the side. I was trying to not faint. I could feel myself sliding down that slope. I have a weak stomach with that stuff. I remember when Kara Lawson dislocated her finger I felt queasy.

So, what's your prognosis?
ERIN: It's a common thing. So many athletes do it. It's foreign to me, but lots of people have done this. I'm just lucky to have supportive good people around me.

You stepped away from the WNBA in 2004 and strongly considered not coming back. Are you sure you will return after this?
ERIN: Yeah, I am. I am looking forward already to the 2008 season. It has been fun being a part of the Silver Stars this year. I think we all felt excited about the opportunities. They will still do it. I will just join them next summer.

So, you are doing well?
ERIN: I won't lie. When the doctor came in there and said what it was there were tears. But God has a plan and this is part of it.

Posted by tnegrete, July 13, 2007 05:57 PM

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