Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

WNBA Team Makes Roster Decision After Defeating Fever, Liberty

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 1:52 PM ET

The Golden State Valkyries have been one of the surprise teams of the 2025 WNBA season. At 22-18 and sixth place in the league standings, the Valkyries are in a prime position to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season and still control their own destiny.

Golden State is also getting hot at the right time, winning its last four games. The recent streak includes two wins over playoff-contending teams. They defeated the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever 75-63 on Sunday before taking down the defending champion New York Liberty 66-58 on Tuesday. Sabrina Ionescu did not play either.

The Valkyries have done all this without one of their leading scorers, Tiffany Hayes. The 13th-year guard has been ruled out for at least another week due to a knee injury she suffered on August 22. This news prompted Golden State to sign another player.

Center Elizabeth Kitley began her WNBA career with the Las Vegas Aces, selected with the No. 24 pick in the 2024 draft. A torn ACL forced her to miss all of last season, but she did see 12 games of action with Las Vegas this year, averaging 1.3 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 8.2 minutes per game. She was waived by the Aces on June 30.

Now, Kitley will get another crack at the WNBA with the Valkyries, signing a seven-day hardship contract in light of Hayes' injury. This will keep her under contract with the team until Sept. 10, unless Golden State elects to release her sooner.

"Roster Update: The Golden State Valkyries have signed center Elizabeth Kitley to a seven-day hardship contract as Tip Hayes has been ruled out for approximately one week due to a knee injury," the Valkyries wrote on X.

Roster Update: The Golden State Valkyries have signed center Elizabeth Kitley to a seven-day hardship contract as Tip Hayes has been ruled out for approximately one week due to a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/A20qneMC2m
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) September 3, 2025

Kitley made a name for herself during her five seasons with the Virginia Tech Hokies. For her college career, she averaged 17.9 points and 10.0 rebounds, becoming the ACC's all-time leader in points (2,709) and rebounds (1,506).

Kitley will get her first shot with the Valkyries on Thursday at 10:00 p.m. ET when they host Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: