Knee surgery successful, Crank's condition stable

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat UA senior guard Monika Crank (22) passes the ball during a game last year vs. Oregon at McKale Center. She had surgery on a torn ACL at St. Mary's Hospital yesterday and was listed in stable condition condition last night.

Crank tore the ACL in her left knee during a pick-up game with teammates Sept. 9 and will miss this season for the Wildcats. She will redshirt the season and is expected to be able to play next year.

"You hate to have this stuff happen," head coach Joan Bonvicini said. "But I'm sure she's going to be fine."

Bonvicini said that since the injury, Crank has been working with trainers to strengthen her knee before surgery so that the rehabilitation process would be faster.

"The trainers are really pleased," Bonvicini said. "She has been in much better spirits."

Both Crank's mother and father came down to Tucson from their Page home and will spend the weekend with her to help with recovery.

Crank, who averaged 6.5 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists a game last year, was to be one of only two seniors returning for the team along with reserve forward Shontey Hambrick.

In other women's basketball news, former starting center Marte Alexander left yesterday for Italy to play for a professional team about an hour outside of Milan. She signed a one-year contract.

Alexander had been in Tucson rehabilitating a severe knee injury she suffered in the Wildcats' Sweet 16 loss to Connecticut at the end of last season. Bonvicini said Alexander's knee had completely recovered.

Seth Doria can be reached via e-mail at Seth.Doria@wildcat.arizona.edu.