SacramentoMonarchs.com recently had a chance to catch up with Yolanda Griffith who is currently in Ekaterinburg, Russia playing basketball with UMMC.

Q: What is it like being in Russia; you've been/played there before, right?
A: Yes, this is my second time here. Besides missing my family the most, I miss the accessibility of the things in the states.

Q: Is the Russian language an issue for you?
A: No, because we all are provided with translators.

Q: This is the second year that you are playing for the UMMC. Do you find things to be a little easier since you already have that one season of experience with the team?
A: No, because since we won the championships last year, we have to play harder now to defend our championship.

Q: UMMC lists eight WNBA players on its 13-women roster. How is it playing with all the people you play against during the WNBA season?
A. It's good playing with the players on UMMC, because our goal is one thing, and one thing only...to win. Also, I like it, because it gives me the opportunity to get to know these players since I would not have that chance in the WNBA.

Q: Ticha is on your team as well. How is that playing with someone that you play with during the WNBA season, but you now both on a different team?
A: It's cool having Ticha on the team, but we don't get the chance to play together in games that often. But regardless of what team it is, basketball will always be basketball.

Q: Your team has played against DeMya's team, Baltiyskaia Zvezda, a few times, how is that?
A: We won both games, but playing against DeMya is just like playing against her in practice. DeMya is a very aggressive player, but since we both play different positions, I had to tell my teammate who was guarding her how to play her.

Q: How often do you practice with the team and for how long?
A: We practice three times a week, and each practice is two hours.

Q: How does the game of basketball in Russia differ from the play in the WNBA?
A: One difference is that the referees in Russia are a bit tougher than in the WNBA. Things that we can do in the WNBA, we might not be able to do in Russia. Other than that, there isn't much of a difference.

Q: What is a typical day for you while you are in Russia?
A: I try to get as much sleep as possible, because with all the traveling to different time zones, our sleep patterns get thrown off. Next is practice, and after that, we might go out to dinner or bowling.

Q: Do you have any funny stories or things that have happened to you since you've arrived?
A: Not yet.

Q: What do you do when you are not playing basketball?
A: Watch movies, go out to eat with teammates, or go bowling.

Q: Do you have anything you especially like in Russia (food, music, etc.)?
A: The restaurants are nice, and the cities we visit have a lot of different historical backgrounds.