"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

The phrase, from alternative rock band Semisonic's hit single "Closing time," rings true for the Sacramento Monarchs, as they prepare for their WNBA-leading sixth consecutive Playoff berth.

Scholanda Robinson

"It�s an entirely new season," Monarchs guard Scholanda Robinson said. "You have the chance to start over, basically. Nothing that you�ve done all season matters right now. Once you�re in, anything can happen. And that�s how we feel about our chances."

Fans of the Monarchs have been fortunate, only the Connecticut Sun and Detroit Shock have equaled the Monarchs in recent postseason longevity. Unlike the Sun, the Monarchs (2005) and Shock (2006) have won Championships with tenacious defense. There is, however, a constant Sacramento and Connecticut share -- a premier point guard.

The Monarchs make their living with one of the toughest defensive systems in the League. But, it's not by chance the WNBA's all-time assist leader, Ticha Penicheiro, has been the catalyst of the Monarchs success over the course of her 11-year career.

"That�s your leader on the floor," Robinson said of the point guard position. "And when you have so much confidence in that person, you feel like nothing can go wrong when you�re out there because she�s such a great leader. And you know she�s going to keep you organized. She�s going to keep your head level, whether it�s coming to the sideline to say, 'Look, calm down, we�re alright,' or something else. All that experience that she has, you can�t replace it with anything."

Penicheiro has also played an integral role in developing A'Quonesia Franklin, to the point where Franklin is regularly playing double-digit minutes and has the confidence of her teammates, just in time for the Playoffs.

"I think she�s definitely proving that she can handle the pressure on this level," Robinson said. "And it�s just a huge addition to have somebody we have confidence in that can back Ticha up."

"I'm very proud of her," Penicheiro added smiling. "She just plays with so much energy and gives it all that she has. For me to see her growth from Day 1 of training camp, until now, is great."

A'Quonesia Franklin

Similarly, the maturity of the Monarchs two first-year post players, Laura Harper and Crystal Kelly, has been instrumental to Sacramento's consistency and success during the second half of the regular season. Heading into the Playoffs, despite their bios saying otherwise, Penicheiro doesn't see a rookie on the team's roster.

"We depend on everybody and everybody knows that they have to contribute," Penicheiro said. "And the rookies, they're not rookies anymore."

The progression of the Monarchs youth, along with the outstanding play of the Monarchs veterans -- Nicole Powell, Kara Lawson, Rebekkah Brunson and Co. -- has the Monarchs peaking at the right time. Now, it's just a matter of fine-tuning everything before the postseason tips-off.

"It�s about coming out and winning seven games, and doing the best you can," DeMya Walker said. "And in that respect, everybody takes their game to another level. I think our veteran leadership is extremely important because you have to warm up differently, you have to mentally prepare differently, you have to tweak what you do going into Playoff games."

As the season begins anew, the animosity, intensity and pressure increase substantially. But, the Monarchs have been battling for their Playoff lives the duration of the regular season, thanks to the depth and talent in the West. And while the Monarchs look to close out the regular season on an upswing, the 2008 WNBA Playoffs have the potential to be the most competitive and riveting Playoffs in history.

"If you saw our game against Seattle, there�s nothing left to say," Robinson said grinning. "That�s what we do. That�s how we play. The whole game, and then the celebration afterward -- watching us is so much fun. If you�re coming out to see us play, it�s contagious. You�ll really want to come back. When you go, you�ll always see a great team out there, not just a couple good players. You�re going to always see a great team out there competing on that floor from buzzer to buzzer."

The Playoffs are coming.

�M� is for MONARCHS!