Walton defeated Etowah 3–1 on Thursday, Oct. 8, to capture the Region 5–7A volleyball championship, reversing the outcome of their regular-season meeting.

The Marietta Daily Journal reported that the victory on Etowah’s home court gave the Raiders their eighth consecutive region title. Walton reached the final by beating North Paulding in four sets Wednesday.

Etowah had won the Sept. 15 meeting 2–1, according to Walton’s MaxPreps schedule. Thursday’s championship match used a best-of-five format.

Walton won the first two sets before finishing the match in four, the Journal reported. Head coach Ashley Jones said the team had focused on mental toughness following an inconsistent regular season.

Outside hitter Addison Contestabile recorded 206 regular-season kills, while senior middle blocker Scarlett Holden led Walton with 53 blocks, according to the Journal.

Jones is in her second season leading the Raiders. In her first, Walton defeated Alpharetta 3–1 for the 2025 Class 6A state championship, the program’s 16th title, as the Cobb County School District reported.

Walton now competes in Class 7A under the GHSA’s 2026–28 volleyball alignment. Region 5 includes Cherokee, Etowah, Marietta, North Cobb, North Paulding, Paulding County and Wheeler.

The Raiders next turn to the state tournament. The GHSA volleyball calendar lists the first round for Saturday, Oct. 17, followed by the second round Oct. 20–21 and quarterfinals Oct. 24.

Semifinals are scheduled for Oct. 27–28, with championship matches Oct. 29 and 31. Walton’s opening opponent and match time were not established in the sources reviewed.