at SacramentoNoon, Channel 4* Site--Arco Arena.* Radio--KPLS...

at Sacramento

Noon, Channel 4

* Site--Arco Arena.

* Radio--KPLS (830).

* Records--Sparks 4-0, Monarchs 2-3.

* Record vs. Monarchs (1999)--2-2.

* Update--Much was expected of the Monarchs this summer, what with league most valuable player Yolanda Griffith settling in for her second WNBA season with Ticha Penicheiro and Ruthie Bolton-Holifield. But after the Monarchs won their home opener over Seattle by 16 points, they lost at Detroit, Orlando and Houston. And none of those losses was close. They ended the losing streak Friday in New York, beating the Liberty, 77-56. Griffith had an MVP-type game, going eight for 12 from the field and eight for nine from the free-throw line. The Liberty, meanwhile, shot only 29%. Today’s matchup is the Sparks’ second in 24 hours and it is the start of a three-game trip. The Sparks play at Seattle Tuesday and at Portland Saturday before returning for home games June 18 and 20 against Charlotte and Houston.