Tyana Spencer gets low to dig a Culver attempt Thursday evening. (Photos by Mike Deak)

BOURBON – Triton volleyball coach Gayle Perry worried her team wouldn’t focus Thursday night. Her team proved her wrong.

Triton started out red hot and maintained its pace in a 25-3, 25-12, 25-18 win against Culver in a Hoosier North Athletic Conference matchup at the Trench.

Game one was just what Perry wanted to see out of her club. An 11-2 run to open the night had Triton post a pair of aces and recover nicely when on defense. Nicole Sechrist had three of her team-leading eight kills in the first game as Culver had no answer at the net.

Triton’s Mariah Musilli

Courtney Jennings and Mariah Musilli each had a pair of aces to open the second game, and Charlotte Morris and Sechrist continued to dominate at the net.

Culver did show signs of life in game three, take a 2-0 lead that turned into an 8-5 lead. A touch into space by Culver had the visitors up 10-6, forcing Perry to call timeout to organize.

“These kids are learning a lot about winning as a team,” Perry said. “They are learning that they can’t win all by themselves. Nikki is a great hitter and a great passer, but she can’t do it all by herself. Quinn is a great passer, she’s the glue that puts us together. Hannah is a great setter but still has a lot of things to learn.

“We’re getting better, we’re growing. It’s going to be an adjustment as we continue through the season.”

Whatever was said in the huddle registered on the court, as Triton scored 12 of the next 15 points after Jennings fired her sixth ace of the night home. It took a little extra work to finish off the Cavs, but Perry was glad to see her team finish what it started.

“I thought we did a good job and stayed focused,” Perry said. “I told them Culver wasn’t that strong, but it’s not about who is on the other side of the net, it’s about how we play. What can we do. It doesn’t matter if we’re playing someone really good or someone who isn’t that good, it’s what we do.

“The other night, I put some subs in and we didn’t respond well. They showed well in practice, so they should show it in a match. We’re starting to come together as a team and I did see that tonight.”

Morris and Emma Ross each had five kills, with Morris also getting a block. Downing had eight aces on the night, Jennings added five digs, and Wanemacher tallied 26 helpers.

The Triton JV opened the night with a 23-25, 25-17, 15-6 win against Culver.

Triton (5-2, 2-1 HNAC) will continue its path in the conference with a visit to West Central Saturday morning.