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There’s a certain level of greatness that comes with being the first. Those who belong to that rare group carry not only the excitement of what’s ahead but also the responsibility to shape what’s possible.
The inaugural season for the Valkyries has embodied exactly that. The Bay Area has embraced the women of the W, cultivating what is now the most valuable team in women’s sports history. The overflowing of culture has rallied the team to be determined and make an immediate impact in their first season.
Led by first-time All-Star Kayla Thornton and 12-year veteran Tiffany Hayes, the Valkyries have established themselves on and off the court. Culture setters off it, and certified dawgs between the lines, the duo understand the power of being first and how much it means for the team, The Bay and the League.
“A foundation building from the ground up and building something special,” Tiffany Hayes says, reflecting on what Valkyries basketball means to her. “All people that are involved in this really hold this season, opportunity and experience close to them.”
It’s not every day you get the call to join a brand-new organization. With the expansion draft last December, the Valkyries quickly made waves with the acquisition of Liberty favorite Kayla Thornton. As the offseason unfolded, the addition of Hayes only strengthened their foundation. Amid roster shuffles and early season adjustments, one question echoed around the League: How would the Valkyries pull it together?
Entering her ninth season and coming off a championship with the Liberty, Thornton’s mindset was to hold on and keep pushing. “I have this fire in me,” she says, describing her approach before every season. “I've been told a lot that, like, I'm too small and I can't do this and I can't do that. So, it's not so much of proving others wrong, but just proving myself right.”
Tiffany Hayes is also rising to the occasion, just as she has every year. “Just being yourself anywhere you are, you might end up in a lot of places. You might end up in the same place your whole career. But at the end of the day, you have to keep being yourself because, you being yourself is what got you on a team in the first place.”
When you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. While the League speculated, the team stayed focused on being true to themselves and taking it one day at a time.
“I would just say we’re just relentless, we’re just some dawgs,” says Kayla, speaking about their roster. “We just want to get the job done, however that looks, you know. There's no egos on our team.”
Fans began to believe quickly. The Valkyries welcomed everyone into their world, offering access to locker room moments and behind-the-scenes peeks. From embracing first-year head coach Natalie Nakase to watching the team evolve from day one of training camp to a very loud opening night, one thing was clear: the Valkyries were here to stay.
As everyone began to hit their stride, the energy was unmistakable. “We’re building a foundation for a great team, a great organization,” Hayes says. “This is just the beginning. Our journey can take us as far as we want to go, and I think we don’t have any ceilings with this group, so [there are] endless possibilities.”
“We came in and defined our culture of what we wanted it to be,” Thornton echoed. “The most important thing was, I think for me, being a selfless team. That’s the main thing, because when you're selfless, everything else kind of just falls in place.”
Their preseason matchup against the Sparks went down to the wire, instantly showing the world that the Valkyries were more than just a promising group. Every game since has brought improvement: defense tightening up, shots falling, chemistry growing.
Reflecting on their season so far, Thornton shares her assessment: “I expected it to be good, but not how it is going now. I think we’re so far ahead of what our expectations were, and that’s great.” She credits the coaching staff and everyone involved, adding, “The pieces that are put together, we understand each other.”
Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Thornton and Hayes have dominated this season, as Thornton became a first-time All-Star and Player of the Week as a double-double machine. And Hayes is showcasing her versatility and ability to adjust her game to meet every moment.
At the helm of it all is coach Natalie Nakase, the architect behind the Valkyries’ rapid rise. Both Thornton and Hayes agree that playing under Nakase has brought out the best in themselves and their teammates. She’s created a culture that thrives on belief, risk-taking and unity.
“She’s gonna allow us to do what we need to do,” Thornton says. “That right there plays a big part. Part of my success in how we’re doing now comes from her giving us that leeway.”
The standard Coach Nakase has instilled in each player is evident. They approach their roles with pride, fueled by passion and a unique freedom to play authentically.
“She gets the best out of you by telling you what you need to hear,” Hayes says. “She knows how to push each player to get the best out of them. I love that about her. She cares for all of us in different ways. I'm just glad I’ve been able to have a relationship with her for the past two years because it's been going great.”
Attendance records at the Valkyries’ home court, fondly dubbed “Ballhalla,” have been shattered. The Bay has shown nothing but love and support, and anyone who steps into Ballhalla can feel that energy. It drives this team.
As we go to press, the Valkyries are closing in on a playoff berth. Their goals have already been exceeded, but the mission continues. They’re redefining what the League can look like, from ownership to the locker room to the unselfish culture. And the players could not be more excited.
“Like I said, at the end of the day,” Thornton says, “we’re a team that plays for each other.”
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