Kristin Haynie Rocky Widner/NBA

What happens when you take a cup full of heartbreak, a heap of excitement, and a few dashes of adversity and blend them together? This might not be one of Martha Stewart’s recipes, but the finished concoction will resemble Kristin Haynie’s life over the past two months.

The Sacramento Monarchs first round pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft has dealt with her fair-share of emotions during that time span. After leading the Michigan State Spartans to a 25-3 record last season, the senior point guard had her dreams of winning a national championship crushed on April 15, when the Spartans fell to Baylor University in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship Game 84-62.

Fortunately for Haynie, as a top prospect in the upcoming WNBA draft, she was able to focus her attention on beginning her professional career. With the draft only 11 days following the blowout loss to Baylor, there was little time for Michigan State’s all-time assists leader to sulk.

With a well-publicized need to add depth to their guard rotation, the Monarchs helped Haynie accomplish her goal of making it to the WNBA by selecting her with the ninth overall pick in the draft.

“Kristin Haynie is the player that the Monarchs coaching staff has had as our number one pick for weeks,” Monarchs General Manager and Head Coach John Whisenant said following the draft. “She’s a leader on the court that can push and back up Ticha Penicheiro.”

When Haynie, 21, arrived in Sacramento, she realized that being a first round pick requires several commitments away from the court. Besides preparing for the team’s training camp, Haynie made several off-the-court appearances to help promote the Monarchs.

“It’s definitely a business here,” Haynie said. “But you get paid to play basketball, a sport that you love. You can play basketball all day and not have to worry about school.”

Along with a couple of teammates, Haynie mingled with fans outside ARCO Arena before a Sacramento Kings playoff game against the Seattle Supersonics. At one point, while watching fans compete in a shooting event, Haynie put down her backpack and promptly knocked down a three-point shot – quickly impressing a large group of fans.

“The fans are treating me great,” Haynie said. “I love it here. It’s so far away from home but I feel like I’m at home.”

As training camp progressed, Haynie was faced with one of the biggest challenges of her basketball career – a sprained ankle. Calling it the most severe injury she’s ever faced, the sprain kept Haynie out of several practices, and one of the Monarchs three preseason games. The injury also forced her to miss the team’s 77-72 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in the May 21 regular season opener.

Although she has been limited in action, Haynie has still been receiving praise from other players. After facing Haynie in a May 12 preseason game, Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, said that Haynie will be a great player.

"She showed it in college, and she is very poised,” Taurasi said. “Once she gets her feet wet, she'll be OK."

Newton steps up

Chelsea Newton Rocky Widner/NBA

While the team waits for Haynie’s ankle to improve, her absence in the lineup has given more minutes to another rookie, Chelsea Newton.

The 22-year-old Newton, a four-year starter at Rutgers University, was the Monarchs second round pick in the 2005 WNBA draft. Best known for her defensive abilities, the 2005 Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year was one of the Monarchs leaders in minutes played during the preseason.

“Chelsea Newton is a do everything kind of player and will fit well with the Monarchs style of play,” Whisenant said following the draft.

Newton, who ironically became friends with Haynie at the Pre-Draft Camp, made a lay-up with two seconds left in the May 14 preseason game to give the Monarchs a victory over the Seattle Storm.

“(Coach Whisenant) just said pick-and-roll and if you get the lane, take (the shot), and if not, just kick it to the open player,” Newton said. “That was the play. It feels great. I’ve never hit a game winner in my life.”

Newton’s solid play continued in the season opener where she scored eight points and sank two 3-pointers.

Rookie adjustments

Like most rookies, Haynie and Newton are expected to face a difficult transition into the WNBA. Both players agree there are major differences when comparing professional and college athletes.

“The girls are more physical and a lot stronger,” Haynie said.

Added Newton: “It’s tough when you have five great players on the court at the same time. In college, at most you had two or three on a team, but now you’re playing on a team of stars.”

Forward Rebekkah Brunson, the Monarchs only rookie on last season’s team, said one thing she quickly learned was that you must bring your “A-game” every night.

“You have to step on the floor and know that you have to compete,” Brunson said. “In college there were some games where you know you would win. Not in the WNBA. Every night is going to be a competition.”

And if the Monarchs have their way, Haynie and Newton’s competitiveness will be the perfect ingredient for the Monarchs winning recipe.