SACRAMENTO, August 24, 2007 --- The Sacramento Monarchs today announced that Monarchs forward Rebekkah Brunson and guard Chelsea Newton were named to the 2007 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team. This marks the first time either player has received the honor.

During the 2007 regular season, Brunson averaged a career-high 11.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. She ranked first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (3.9) and second in the league in rebounds per game (8.9). Brunson tallied a career-high four blocked shots against San Antonio on August 15, 2007. In addition, she grabbed a career-high 11 defensive rebounds on August 9, 2007.

During the 2007 regular season, Newton averaged 6.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.2 blocks per game. Monarchs Head Coach Jenny Boucek noted, “Chelsea plays hard all the time, a lot of what she does doesn’t show up on the stats sheet.”

The third annual WNBA All-Defensive Team was voted on by a panel of the WNBA’s 13 head coaches, who selected First and Second Teams by position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.

The Monarchs are currently up 1-0 in a best of three first round series against the San Antonio Silver Stars. Game two in San Antonio is Saturday, August 25, at 10 a.m. PDT on ESPN2.