Ever since the WNBA began in 1997, the Utah Starzz and Sacramento Monarchs have been rivals. They played each other in countless preseason games, traded players and had similar records and drafted in similar spots.
The Monarchs have had the better of the two teams since, making the playoffs the last three years.
And then there was last August, when the Monarchs swept the Starzz out of their first-ever playoff series in two games, the second in Sacramento, in which the Starzz felt officials made calls favorable to the home team. Utah was on the wrong side of eight WNBA playoff fouling/free-throwing records.
Today at 2 p.m. MDT, on NBC-TV's national telecast, is Utah's first chance to avenge that perceived injustice. The 6-2 Starzz visit the 2-6 Monarchs at Arco Arena.
Utah coach Candi Harvey downplays the national TV and revenge aspects. "It's one of our favorite places to play," she said, noting the energy the adoring crowd there brings and that most of her players have been on TV through their college and pro careers.
Point guard Jennifer Azzi, though, still has a bitter taste left from the game last Aug. 19 that ended the best season in Starzz history.
"I think that there is, especially going back there having lost a game that I think in a lot of ways was taken from us. Going back there is a good opportunity for us to see how far we've come," said Azzi.
Utah has won its last two games and looks like it's jelling. Sacramento, playing for the seventh game this season without Olympian Yolanda Griffith, who has a bulging disc in her neck, beat Seattle Thursday with agile center Tangela Smith stepping up for 20 points.
The Monarchs have always had a strong backcourt with Ticha Penicheiro, one of the top assist women every year, and Kedra Holland-Corn, an explosive scorer. With Griffith and La'Keshia Frett beginning to play well inside, it's a more-rounded team again. Lady Hardmon Grooms, one of the original Starzz, is starting at forward, meaning the Monarchs play small ball.
"Yolanda Griffith isn't playing, so that makes it a whole different ballgame," said Azzi. "But Washington beat us without (Chamique) Holdsclaw, so you can never overlook the rest of the team stepping up. They have great guards — they were a big matchup for us in the playoffs."
Harvey hopes 7-foot-2 center Margo Dydek continues her aggressive play and said Utah will try to establish her low-post game early. Also, Natalie Williams continues to improve from a slow start and could be a tough matchup for Sacramento. The Starzz must slow the Monarchs to a halfcourt game while trying for their own fast transition game, Harvey said.
NOTZZ: On Friday, the Starzz activated forward Danielle Crockrom and placed guard LaNeisha Caufield on the injured list with a possible lower-left leg stress fracture. Caufield must miss at least three games . . . Utah returns to the Delta Center Tuesday for a game with the Portland Fire.
E-mail: lham@desnews.com