Walton 'staying present' as they look to have a successful title defense
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With the 2026 Georgia High School Association volleyball season underway, the defending 6A champions, the Walton Raiders have gotten off to a 10-2 start, including wins over Wheeler and Paulding County on Tuesday, which allowed them to open region play at 2-0.
"I think our biggest strength is that we're very positive," Walton head coach Ashley Jones said as she shared thoughts on the start of the Raiders' season. "Walton has a long history of success and so I think every year is a brand new year and you have to work hard for another trophy at the end of the year," Jones said, adding the Raiders must focus on what's in front of in order to successfully defend their title.
"So focusing on who we have now, what we're doing now and not too much of 'well last year we did' and just staying present every single day, every single rep, every single practice and keeping that positive mindset," Jones said of the Raiders, who have tallied 16 state championships, the most in GHSA history.
And as Walton looks to accomplish winning a 17th state title, Jones believes the Raiders' have the talent and depth including hitters, senior London Vicks, who she described as a "very good power hitter" and senior captain Cali Havette. "She's really stepped up in that position," Jones said of Havette, praising her for "stepping up into a leadership role,".
"It's a good problem to have. We have so many very, very talented hitters that some times the hardest part of my job is making sure that I'm utilizing my players as best as I can," Jones said, noting she has to be intent on "spreading the wealth" of playing time. "Overall we just have a really, really good depth in our talent and I can put anyone on the court and trust that they're going to get us a W at the end of the day," Jones said, adding the depth provides her and her staff with comfort.
Walton will return to action when they host North Paulding on September 1
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