Valkyries process end of inaugural season, look ahead to offseason
OAKLAND Monique Billings mentioned it all without saying a word Inside the Valkyries practice facility Thursday afternoon Kaitlyn Chen was requested to evaluate her rookie season in the WNBA She glanced at the veteran sitting to her left and revealed I can t believe it s over Billings eyes welled up with emotion as she mouthed two words back to Chen I know Less than hours after the Valkyries let a -point lead slip away in a - loss to the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx the expansion organization was still processing the end to its inaugural season On the one hand they shocked the league with their unprecedented and unexpected run to the postseason On the other the franchise has far loftier goals than a first-round exit Addressing the club after the loss coach Natalie Nakase attempted to thread the needle That was one of the points in Natalie s speech We want to win a championship That s what this organization is trying to build and this is just one step disclosed center Iliana Rupert who finished with eight points in minutes Wednesday I don t know how multiple times she disclosed it but she s really proud of us She notified us that even her she didn t really know what to expect and never would have presumed we could accomplish so much It was a really beautiful moment Particular tears were shed Forced to move their lone home playoff contest to the SAP Center in San Jose because of a scheduling conflict at Chase Center the unrivaled atmosphere of Balhalla migrated south with a sellout of fans After they were eliminated the limit crowd gave the club a standing ovation It kind of felt like we won declared guard Tiffany Hayes who didn t play because of a knee injury It was so loud in there just from the jump added reserve guard Kate Martin From the tipoff to the final buzzer and even after the final buzzer it was so loud in there It was the loudest I ve ever heard it Much like the enthusiasm the upstart group has generated from those fans this season their outlook toward an uncertain offseason was as positive as can be Still they left for their offseason commitments with plenty of questions The W s going to be different commented Cecilia Zandalasini who had the ball in her hands with a chance to extend the Valkyries season but had her contested jumper clank off the rim as the buzzer sounded A roster that churned through players will likely see more turnover with specific players set to become free agents The league will grow by two more teams meaning two more expansion drafts and two more front offices trying to replicate the Valkyries instant success as the only first-year franchise to make the postseason There is also the outstanding question of a new collective bargaining agreement which must be ratified by the players and the owners before next season can tip off It s a good challenge to have Kaila Charles commented We re expanding The league is getting bigger There s room for more players Hopefully we can come to an agreement soon and we re able to start the season on time I m just looking forward to finding a home and being on the gang Hopefully that s here but with the expansion draft you never know Charles is one of five unrestricted free agents on the Valkyries roster along with Billings Hayes Kayla Thornton and Temi Fagbenle all of whom expressed a similar desire to return There are only two players who won t be free agents in particular form Kate Martin and Carla Leite I would love to come back here next year Billings announced Hayes echoed the sentiment adding her decision was as simple as it s going to get Fagbenle a late scratch from Wednesday s championship also explained she would love to be back here next year But she added We ll have to see One thing is sure the Valkyries have their coach which is more than can be mentioned for the company this time last year Nakase s hire wasn t disclosed until last October and on Wednesday she was presented the WNBA Coach of the Year trophy before tipoff All we know is that the people who we have now are a great foundation to build upon Fagbenle reported Everyone can see that So how a great number of of us can you keep together That s the question Notable Thornton whose season came to an end in July by a knee injury she suffered in practice was not made available Nor were Nakase or general manager Ohemaa Nyanin who are expected to address reporters early next week Related Articles Valkyries season ends in heartbreak but their rise is just beginning The Valkyries first season was good Minnesota established them how to be great Minnesota Lynx praise Valkyries fans SAP Center atmosphere They willed them at times Valkyries season ends as Golden State collapses in decisive Contest vs Lynx Valkyries bring potency pageantry to San Jose dub SAP Center Ballhalla South for historic WNBA playoff competition Hayes was limited to games and didn t see the court for the final month of the season because of her own knee injury She revealed it was definitely frustrating but taught her a lesson Taking care of yourself is very vital You want to be there for the unit so you push push push But I m learning that it s not dependably best to be that way Fagbenle declared it was excruciating to be forced to watch the loss from the bench She was ruled out in a game-time decision and hey it looked like the right choice for a long time in that battle she revealed Until the last quarter Right They did great without me For much of the roster the offseason won t offer much of a chance to rest Hayes Billings Charles Janelle Salaun Laeticia Amihere Zandalasini Leite and Fagbenle all have plans to play overseas Chen has committed to Athletes Unlimited the new league based out of Nashville Last offseason Martin played in another upstart league Unrivaled and was wearing the league s merchandise in her exit interview though she identified selected other priorities Enjoy specific family time go home go on vacation
