May 14, 2026 — The Walton girls tennis program might be the most unheralded dynasty in Cobb Schools athletics. Most sports fans in the district would be surprised to learn that the Lady Court Raiders have won 23 State Championship team trophies in their history, entering this season. Nineteen of those titles have come since the beginning of the 2000s, leaving only six seasons without a title celebration during that span. One of those was due to the state tournament not being held during the 2020 pandemic.
Carrying that past confidently into the present of the 2026 GHSA 6A Girls State Tennis Championships, the Walton girls team was unfazed by the task at hand. Facing South Forsyth at the Rome Tennis Center in Rome, Georgia, on Wednesday morning, the Lady Raiders served, volleyed, and smashed their way to the 24th state title in school history.
Walton girls tennis coach Lisa Chase described the action.
“Our greatest advantage in the state championship match was our exceptional depth,” the coach said after securing the school’s 20th title in the 21st century. “While most teams reaching the final four rely on a small core of standout players, Walton fields an entire varsity roster capable of competing at this level. Our line one doubles team, junior Safah Patel and sophomore Anne Marie Alston, set the tone early with a dominant 6–1, 6–1 win. Not far behind, the line two doubles pair of junior Sevrine Hougeir and sophomore Kate Ketmayura secured a convincing 6–2, 6–2 victory. Up 2–0, all three singles players — freshman Andie Xu, sophomore Alexis Alston, and senior Dhanya Patur — had each taken their first sets but fell behind early in their second. Showing resilience and composure, Andie, Alexis, and Dhanya steadily erased their deficits and worked their way back on serve. Any of the three could have clinched the decisive point, but it was our lone senior, Dhanya, who delivered the finishing blow, turning a 2–4 deficit into a 6–4 victory to secure the match.”
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The championship result did not surprise Coach Chase.
“My approach this year was simple. Challenge them,” she said with pride. “We built the toughest schedule possible, taking on every competitive team willing to play us. The result was a 27–2 record, earned because every girl on the roster competed in at least half of those matches. Whether they were in the starting lineup or cheering from the fence, every player contributed to this championship. Their bond grew stronger with each match, and the chemistry they built became one of our greatest strengths.”
That chemistry led to the 24th state title in program history.
“Although this is the 24th state title for the Walton Lady Raiders, it is especially meaningful as it marks my first championship as a coach and the first for every girl on the varsity roster this year,” Coach Chase noted.
"The number of state titles won by our girls tennis is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our coach and players," Walton athletic director Chris Jones said. "The Walton community supports our team and takes great pride in our standard of excellence."
There is little doubt that it was a celebratory ride back to Cobb County for Walton’s supreme court athletes.
Congratulations to the Lady Raiders on their astonishing accomplishment!
h/t photos provided by Coach Chase, AD Jones, and @waltonwomenstennis
