Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Regular Season

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Yolanda Griffith Starter/Star (1.1) 33.7 High (1.2) 16.2 11.2 1.7 3.2 84.48 Griffith remained the centerpiece of Sacramento’s identity, controlling the paint on both ends while opponents routinely sent extra defenders into the post. Early-season coverage noted she was regaining rhythm after arriving from Italy, and she finished the year as the club’s unquestioned defensive anchor and interior leader. (Los Angeles Times) All-WNBA Second Team (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001)
Ticha Penicheiro Starter/Star (1.1) 32.3 Medium (1.1) 6.3 3.7 7.5 2.0 47.92 Sacramento’s offense still flowed through Penicheiro’s vision and pace, with Maura McHugh repeatedly emphasizing how much easier the Monarchs functioned once she returned from injury. Her creativity in transition and half-court sets remained the engine behind the team’s ball movement. All-WNBA Second Team (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001)
Tangela Smith Starter/Star (1.1) 28.5 Medium (1.1) 11.2 5.6 1.3 2.8 50.09 Smith filled the difficult complementary role beside Griffith, supplying mobile interior defense while finishing around the basket without demanding touches. Analysts viewed Sacramento’s size and athleticism in the frontcourt as a major advantage entering the playoffs. (ESPN)
Kedra Holland-Corn Starter/Star (1.1) 27.3 Medium (1.1) 10.1 2.3 2.2 2.0 40.66 Holland-Corn stretched defenses from the wing and punished help defenders with timely perimeter shooting. Independent game reports regularly highlighted her ability to provide secondary scoring whenever opponents collapsed on Griffith in the paint. (Fun While It Lasted)
Edna Campbell Starter/Star (1.1) 26.7 Medium (1.1) 8.1 2.7 2.3 0.9 33.64 Campbell brought relentless energy as a two-way guard, defending multiple backcourt assignments while spacing the floor. Opposing scouts and media frequently described her as Sacramento’s “X-factor” because of the balance she gave the starting lineup. (ESPN)
Ruthie Bolton Key Contributor (1.05) 18.8 Medium (1.1) 7.2 3.0 1.8 0.9 29.10 Accepting a reserve role, Bolton still changed games with instant offense and veteran poise. Late-season coverage often pointed to her ability to ignite scoring bursts off the bench, particularly with her perimeter shooting. (washingtonpost.com) WNBA All-Star (2001)
Kara Wolters Key Contributor (1.05) 12.2 Low (1.0) 4.9 2.4 0.5 0.9 18.27 Wolters gave Sacramento experienced frontcourt depth, using her size to spell Griffith without changing the team’s physical style. Contemporary coverage of her individual season was limited, but she remained a useful interior reserve.
Lady Grooms Key Contributor (1.05) 17.5 Low (1.0) 4.5 2.5 1.2 0.8 18.90 Grooms earned minutes through hustle, perimeter defense and reliable effort rather than shot volume. Independent reporting on her season was limited, though coaches continued to trust her as a dependable rotational piece.
La’Keshia Frett Key Contributor (1.05) 13.4 Low (1.0) 4.3 1.8 0.6 0.5 15.12 Frett added athletic depth to the frontcourt, bringing energy and physical defense whenever Sacramento expanded its rotation. Contemporary independent coverage of her role was limited.
Cindy Blodgett Bench (1.0) 6.5 Low (1.0) 3.1 0.8 0.5 0.6 10.00 Blodgett remained a situational shooting option whose value came from quick scoring bursts in limited minutes. Independent season-specific reporting on her role was sparse.
Stacy Clinesmith Bench (1.0) 4.7 Low (1.0) 0.6 0.2 0.9 0.1 3.60 Clinesmith handled reserve guard duties, keeping the offense organized during brief appearances. Limited contemporary independent coverage was available because of her small role.
Dana Wynne Bench (1.0) 3.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 8.00 Wynne appeared only once during the season, leaving little opportunity to establish a consistent rotation role. Contemporary independent coverage of her appearance was minimal.
Maren Walseth Bench (1.0) 2.0 Low (1.0) 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 3.00 Walseth saw only limited action as developmental frontcourt depth, and independent reporting on her brief appearances was scarce.
TEAM TOTALS 208.6 75.5 35.5 24.0 14.8 363.78 Sacramento blended elite interior play from Yolanda Griffith with Ticha Penicheiro’s league-leading playmaking to reach the Western Conference Finals. A midseason coaching change to Maura McHugh stabilized the club, while improved wing depth from Edna Campbell, Kedra Holland-Corn and Ruthie Bolton helped create one of the WNBA’s most balanced lineups.

Playoffs

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Yolanda Griffith Starter/Star (1.1) 36.2 High (1.2) 21.2 8.8 1.4 2.8 90.29 Sacramento leaned on Griffith as its interior focal point throughout the postseason, and she consistently forced double teams while battling Lisa Leslie and Houston’s frontcourt. Associated Press coverage highlighted her 24-point performance in the series-evening win over Los Angeles before the Sparks adjusted their defensive approach in Game 3. (seattlepi.com) All-WNBA Second Team (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001)
Kedra Holland-Corn Starter/Star (1.1) 32.0 Medium (1.1) 13.8 3.6 1.4 2.0 50.82 Holland-Corn became Sacramento’s most reliable perimeter scorer during the playoffs, spacing the floor and punishing late closeouts with confident three-point shooting. Even in the Western Conference Finals loss, she continued creating offense when defenses collapsed on Griffith. (seattlepi.com)
Tangela Smith Starter/Star (1.1) 32.8 Medium (1.1) 11.0 4.8 1.6 2.0 46.95 Smith embraced the difficult defensive assignments that came with playing beside Griffith, providing weak-side rim protection while attacking the offensive glass. Her mobility allowed Sacramento to stay competitive against bigger frontcourts throughout the postseason.
Ticha Penicheiro Starter/Star (1.1) 32.6 Medium (1.1) 6.2 3.8 6.6 1.4 43.08 Penicheiro remained the offense’s organizer, constantly probing for passing lanes despite intense ball pressure. Associated Press reports noted her 19-point Game 2 performance against Los Angeles before the Sparks successfully limited her influence in the deciding game. All-WNBA Second Team (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001)
Ruthie Bolton Key Contributor (1.05) 24.2 Medium (1.1) 11.0 4.4 1.8 0.8 41.12 Bolton supplied instant offense from the bench, attacking confidently from the perimeter whenever Sacramento needed another scoring option. Her veteran experience proved valuable, particularly in close playoff possessions where the Monarchs relied on composed decision-making. WNBA All-Star (2001)
Edna Campbell Starter/Star (1.1) 23.0 Medium (1.1) 5.6 2.2 2.2 1.2 26.62 Campbell filled a true two-way guard role, defending multiple positions while helping stabilize Sacramento’s backcourt rotations. Although her scoring fluctuated, independent coverage often pointed to her defensive energy and willingness to accept difficult assignments.
Kara Wolters Key Contributor (1.05) 9.3 Low (1.0) 2.5 1.0 0.3 1.0 10.08 Wolters provided experienced frontcourt depth and valuable size off the bench, giving Sacramento another physical post option when Griffith rested. Contemporary individual playoff coverage was limited because of her reserve role.
Cindy Blodgett Bench (1.0) 3.5 Low (1.0) 3.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 9.00 Blodgett’s role centered on instant perimeter scoring in short bursts, and she converted limited opportunities efficiently during the postseason. Independent reporting on her playoff minutes was sparse.
Lady Grooms Key Contributor (1.05) 6.2 Low (1.0) 1.8 0.8 0.2 0.0 5.88 Grooms was used primarily for defensive possessions and energy off the bench rather than offensive production. Limited contemporary independent coverage was available because of her small playoff workload.
La’Keshia Frett Bench (1.0) 3.6 Low (1.0) 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.0 2.80 Frett supplied brief frontcourt relief minutes, focusing on physical defense and rebounding whenever called upon. Independent postseason reporting on her individual contributions was limited.
Dana Wynne Bench (1.0) 1.5 Low (1.0) 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.00 Wynne appeared only briefly during the postseason, leaving little opportunity to establish a meaningful rotation role. Contemporary independent coverage of her appearances was minimal.
TEAM TOTALS 206.9 76.9 30.2 17.0 12.2 328.64 Sacramento advanced to the Western Conference Finals behind Yolanda Griffith’s interior dominance and Ticha Penicheiro’s playmaking before falling to the eventual champion Los Angeles Sparks in a hard-fought three-game series. Griffith carried the offensive burden inside, while Holland-Corn and Bolton supplied timely perimeter scoring against elite playoff defenses.