The Golden State Valkyries came in as the expansion team this season. Initially, nobody had high expectations of the team. But as the season progressed, the team emerged as one of the best in the WNBA.
Displaying a stellar performance on the court, the Valkyries earned the honor of qualifying for the playoffs in their maiden WNBA season. And guiding her team to the limelight, head coach Natalie Nakase was honored with the AP Coach of the Year award.
Meanwhile, as the team failed to progress into the semis, the expectations for next year have been heightened. And as it turns out, the Valkyries’ outfit is also making a difference while in the offseason. In a recent report, the likes of Tiffany Hayes earned a prestigious honor.
Tiffany Hayes Honored For Her Community Work In The Off-Season
WNBA had a special announcement for Hayes. Following a stellar season on the court, it was revealed that Hayes has also done some commendable community work in the offseason. As a result, the Valkyries guard has been awarded the 2025 Season-long WNBA Cares Community Assist Award.
Providing further insight into the matter, the WNBA explained that Hayes has played a significant role in uplifting the Bay Area Community. Meanwhile, as expected, the Valkyries’ star felt elated after receiving this reward.
“Community work is at the core of who I am, it’s not just about giving back, it’s about pouring into the same community that has poured so much love into me,” said Hayes. “Receiving this award is a true honor because it recognizes something I would do regardless of recognition: serve, uplift, and inspire. I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to work alongside communities in the Bay Area and beyond, knowing that together we create a cycle of love, growth, and empowerment,” the Valkyries’ guard further added.
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Glory to Tiffany Hayeshttps://t.co/3tIDEcUWP4
— Debmallya Chakraborty (@DebmallyaC93340) November 16, 2025
And that’s not all. As a testament to Hayes’s work, the WNBA has agreed to donate $20,000 to Changing Faces Inc. Hayes chose this nonprofit organization because it educates youths on substance abuse and supports them with treatment and transitional programs. Meanwhile, following one of the best seasons as an expansion team, Hayes heaped praise on her team.
Tiffany Hayes Impressed With Golden State Valkyries’ Performance
Hayes felt overwhelmed during her debut season with the Valkyries. Despite falling short in the play-offs, the guard is taking back a lot of positives from the season.
In an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated, Hayes stated that she is more than willing to rejoin the team and, this time, surpass the team’s accomplishments in its debut year.
“I’m so glad I [came]. This place definitely feels like a second home to me, and I hope it’s like that for years to come. When you know, you know about a team. But I would have never ever… we exceeded all the expectations, even, almost in my head. Just seeing where we started in training camp, how fast we jelled, how fast we picked up things. I’m like, ‘Yeah, this is gonna be a better season than all of us imagined, and I just hope everybody feels like that.’ And we all did,” Hayes said.
The Golden State Valkyries weren’t supposed to be here.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 20, 2025
An expansion team in their very first year, most expected growing pains, not greatness, but instead, they turned their debut season into a storybook run that rewrote history.
🔹 First expansion team to make playoffs
🔹… pic.twitter.com/4Dp2DzHzXX
Thus, it is evident that the Valkyries’ guard has only good things to say about her team. Now, everyone waits to see whether the team can improve its game next season.