Inaugural Win for the Franchise!

On Wednesday night, the Valkyries secured the franchise’s first ever regular season win in a nail-biter over the Washington Mystics, with a final score of 76-74. 

And while the combined score of 150 points was not far from the average 162 points scored in games across the league in 2024, an offensive powerhouse the Valkyries are not (yet). At the end of the first quarter, the Valkyries were down 14 to 11, and they finished 7-37 from three. Of course, it is important to remember that prior to tip-off, the Valks (I’m not sure how I feel about the “Valks” as a nickname, we’ll see if it sticks), had played only 40 regular season minutes together as a team. There is infinite room for growth. However, the basket is 10 feet high in every gym, the 3pt line is 22 feet 1.75 inches from the basket, and all regulation-sized basketballs have a circumference of 28.5 inches. It is a stationary target, and one that we’ll have to start hitting if we want to be (remain?) competitive this season.  

The Valks (really trying to lean in here) ended the first half on a buzzer-beater long-range three-pointer from Veronica Burton, giving the team life and the lead going into the half, 31 to 30. The second half was a close game the whole way, and both teams found the basket in the fourth quarter. 

The golden state’s basketball royalty shined in Chase Center. Stanford women’s basketball GOAT Tara VanDerveer banged the pre-game GSV drums on the court. She and Lindsay Gottlieb cheered on former-Stanford phenom, USC grad and Washington Mystic Kiki Iriafen. Warriors guard Brandon Podziemski was seated (standing much of the second half) two seats over from Tara on the sideline, sporting a Kayla Thornton jersey,  chirping at the refs and fangirl-ing over Tara. 

Here’s the thing about Balhalla—the fans are invested. Full stop. We know there is a lot to figure out on both sides of the floor. Our five-out offensive scheme is not scheming; our transition defense is not intimidating; our sideline out-of-bounds plays are not effective; our coach’s challenge was wasted and then desperately needed in the fourth quarter. But the fans truly believe in this franchise and support the evolution of women’s sports, and I believe the rest will come. Both regular season games have attracted a sellout crowd of 18,064 fanatics drenched in violet and black. With each attempted three pointer, fans jumped to their feet, imploring the ball through the hoop. And when Kayla Thorton was fouled shooting a corner three and completed the four-point play, the roars were deafening. I’ve had “weekend-voice” since Wednesday and could not be happier about it. 

After the final buzzer sounded, light lavender streamers fell from the ceiling at Chase Center and fans scooped them up in celebration of the historic win, proud to be a part of this inaugural and thrilling franchise. 

The crowd roars as the fourth quarter ends and the Valkyries win! 

Sill no sign of our new mascot! Will keep my eyes peeled.