Valkyries Head Coach Feels Bittersweet After First Playoff Berth

When the Valkyries started the season, many thought they were the run-of-the-mill expansion team. They were a squad filled with underrated players. Some of them did not fit in their old teams, or they never got the opportunity to shine.

That has not been the case with the Valkyries in the Bay Area, as they have emerged as one of the league's best teams in their first-ever season. Due to the players' effort and head coach Natalie Nakase's guidance, they have earned their way to the postseason.

Nakase Knows The Job Is Not Finished

Despite the momentous accolade, Nakase and her team are not getting ahead of themselves. They want to maintain their goal of succeeding, and that does not stop at clinching a spot in the Playoffs.

There are more possibilities in the postseason, and reaching them is the team's goal. They want to be the best version of the team, and that can only happen if they work hard to succeed.

"I don’t know, I’m bittersweet. This is what we were supposed to do. That’s my mental. That’s me kind of saying must win. I told the girls we intentionally picked them for this reason," Nakase said after winning against the Dallas Wings.

This is a well-rounded team led by Veronica Burton, Tiffany Hayes, Janelle
Salaun, and more. The team even had Kayla Thornton as their leading scorer, but she suffered a season-ending knee injury. Despite the loss, the Valkyries have remained steadfast with their objectives.

It Is Time For The Valkyries To Deliver

With the postseason berth done, it is time to deliver in the Playoffs. Nakase is ready to lead her team to the promised land. The ultimate goal is the championship, but that will be hard to do in a bracket that has the Minnesota Lynx and the Las Vegas Aces leading the way.

The defending champions New York Liberty, might be struggling as of late, but they always turn it up in the Playoffs. That is why the Valkyries are not letting their foot off the gas. They want to keep competing, and Nakase's players are also motivated to perform.

This will be a challenge for the Valkyries, but Golden State's team is ready to prove itself. It will be their first-ever Playoff run as a team, but they want to inspire their "Ballhalla" crowd to fight for them as they compete on the court.