Florida State women's basketball player, a Georgia native, dies suddenly

<p>Florida State basketball player Ronalda Pierce died early Tuesday, apparently from an aneurysm that may have resulted from a genetic disease that typically strikes tall people, police said.</p><p>A friend called 911 about 2 a.m. Tuesday and said Pierce, 19, was breathing strangely and couldn't be awakened at her off-campus apartment. Police said she was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where she died.</p><p>Preliminary autopsy results indicated that Pierce, who stood 6-foot-5, died because of a ruptured aorta that was caused by an aneurysm. The medical examiner's report said the aneurysm may have been the result of Marfan syndrome, a hereditary disorder. A final report may take months.</p><p>About 56,000 people nationwide suffer from Marfan syndrome, which affects connective tissue, the basic substance that holds together blood vessels, heart valves, cartilage, tendons and other structures. It is believed thousands more go undiagnosed. Those affected are often tall, slender and loose-jointed.</p><p>Flo Hyman, the 6-foot-5 star of the 1984 U.S. silver medal-winning U.S. Olympic volleyball team, died from the disorder during a game in Japan in 1986.</p><p>A third-team Parade All American in 2003 from Turner County High School in Ashburn, Ga., Pierce just completed her freshman season with the Seminoles. She averaged 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds a game. She was the tallest player on the team.</p><p>Florida State coach Sue Semrau was not immediately available to comment on Pierce's death.</p><p>It was the second time in just over three years that a Florida State athlete has died. Devaughn Darling, a highly regarded freshman linebacker from Houston, collapsed during a workout and died Feb. 26, 2001, of an apparent "cardiac arrhythmia" at the age of 18.</p><p>Darling and his twin brother Devard had a blood disorder, known as a sickle cell trait, that was discovered after a pre-football physical before their freshman year at Florida State. The medical examiner said the disorder may have contributed to Darling's death, although no definite medical cause was cited.</p><p>Florida State officials then prohibited Devard Darling, a wide receiver, from playing for the Seminoles. He transferred to Washington State and played for two seasons being chosen by the Baltimore Ravens in this spring's NFL draft.</p>