Bio

Position: Setter
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Buford, Georgia
High School: Lanier High School
High School Graduation: 2026

Emily Elizabeth Walton is a freshman setter from Buford, Georgia, and a 2026 graduate of Lanier High School. Walton began playing volleyball in 2021 and quickly developed a passion for the sport and the competitive challenges it provides.

One of her favorite high school athletic memories came during her sophomore season, when Lanier completed a reverse sweep against a rival school to secure a place in the state tournament.

Walton chose Wallace State because of the college’s commitment to education and the hands-on learning opportunities available to students. During her campus tour, she was impressed by the way Wallace State’s technical programs are incorporated into everyday campus life, including cosmetology and automotive services.

“I could tell Wallace State actually values education,” Walton said. “I loved seeing how the trade programs are part of campus life and how students can receive services while other students gain hands-on experience.”

She credits her older brother with having a significant impact on her athletic journey. His success in baseball gave Walton someone to look up to and motivated her to pursue her own goals.

“He was really successful in his baseball career, so I think part of my volleyball journey has been trying to catch up to him,” Walton said. “I find myself competing with him subconsciously, but it pushes me in a good way.”

Walton’s proudest moment as a Wallace State athlete so far was receiving an offer and learning that the coaching staff believed she was capable of competing for such a successful program.

“Being told I was good enough to play for a program like Wallace State was something I was very proud of,” Walton said.

As an incoming freshman, Walton is still learning what college athletics will teach her, but she is eager to embrace the experience and grow as a student, athlete and teammate.

She plans to balance volleyball and academics by making sure she fully understands the material covered in class. Walton believes that remaining engaged during class will reduce the amount of additional study time she needs and allow her to devote the proper attention to volleyball.

Her goals include helping Wallace State finish at the top of the conference standings and seeing noticeable personal improvement throughout the season.

Walton enjoys jogging and hiking because both activities provide cardiovascular exercise without the pressure of focusing on a specific time. She also appreciates the opportunity to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature.

Before matches, Walton follows a personal ritual of warming up with her left knee pad pulled down. Her preferred pregame music is anything by Tyler Childers.

Her approach to preparing for competition is simple: eat good food and make sure she is physically ready to play.

Walton believes her high school teammates would describe her as bold and someone who cares deeply about those around her. Her club teammates would likely describe her as funny and unpredictable.

Had she not chosen volleyball, Walton said she would likely play golf.

Her favorite professional athlete is golfer Rory McIlroy. Walton admires the perseverance he showed while pursuing one of his biggest goals despite years of criticism and doubt.

“His story is inspiring because he chased his goal for a decade,” Walton said. “Even when people doubted and criticized him, he kept working and eventually achieved it.”

A fun fact about Walton is that she takes academics seriously and earns strong grades, even though people sometimes assume otherwise because of her lighthearted personality.

“People who don’t know me may assume I don’t get good grades because I’m not always super serious, but I really care about my academic performance,” Walton said.

Outside volleyball, Walton enjoys crocheting, traveling, learning about cars and rewatching her favorite television shows.

After college, she hopes to study law and build a career that allows her to become fully financially independent by the time she is in her 30s.

During her time at Wallace State, Walton hopes to be remembered as a great leader.

Her advice to younger athletes is to find a club program that matches their needs and priorities at that point in their lives.

“Find a club team that is right for you at the time,” Walton said. “That might be a high-level program that takes everything very seriously, or it could be a more relaxed team that allows you to prioritize relationships. What matters is finding the right fit for you.”