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The Monarchs had just a short media session after practice Tuesday due to a WNBA Cares event, but SacramentoMonarchs.com caught up with Ticha Penicheiro for three questions.

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How excited are you for the home opener on Saturday?
Ticha Penicheiro: "It's great. Especially our first game, the people in ticket sales and the staff do a great job to help us try and sellout. We've done it six times and this year I think we'll do it too. And, to play in front of a sold-out arena is just great because the fans are very loud and very energetic. Being the first game, the expectation (is very high), because it's been seven or eight months so our fans are always ready for the big game."

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What has the team's adjustment to Yolanda Griffith's absence been like?
Penicheiro: "It happened over a month ago now, so with training camp we've made the adjustments we've had to make and we missed her, but she plays on another team now. It’s not that she retired, so we're fighting for the same thing but on different teams. I think everyone has stepped up as leaders. DeMya, even though she is not playing, is always around and giving great feedback. Kara and Rebekkah are doing a tremendous job. Everything is really hinging on our coach, she is our main leader."

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Are you comfortable being the team's main on-the-court leader?
Penicheiro: "Yeah, I've been a leader on the court my whole life, when you are a point guard you are a natural leader. You have to call plays on the court, always make sure your teammates are in the right place and you have to be vocal, so it is something that I am very comfortable with. With Yo, I always took a backseat because she said the right things and talked to everybody, so when she was done talking there wasn't much to be said. So it is something I am comfortable with and something that isn’t new to me, so I'll just pick up where she left off."

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