Triton is hoping to celebrate its first regional championship since 2002 with an appearance in this weekend’s Culver Regional. (File photo by Mike Deak)

CULVER – Welcome back, Triton.

After a year hiatus, Triton volleyball returns to the regional round that it occupied for four years from 2014-17. It’s a different looking team than year’s past for the Trojans, however, and coach Gayle Perry is cautiously optimistic this team could write a new identity for itself.

“We haven’t peaked yet but have seen longer stretches of really good play during matches,” stated Perry. “Remember, this Triton team has one senior and last year we only won six matches, so confidence was a struggle sometimes. We are focusing on what they can do on the next play to help the team.”

The Trojans haven’t set the Class 1-A volleyball world on fire. Somewhat the opposite, their two wins at the West Central Sectional against West Central and Oregon-Davis got the team back to .500 at 16-16 overall. As Perry eluded to with age and inexperience, it has been a trial by fire for the Trojans in getting back to the regional round.

Both Abbey Viers and Lexia Hostrawser were huge for Triton in the sectional, Viers putting away over 40 kills in the two wins. On the season, Viers has is approaching 200 kills to go with just over two blocks per contest. Hostrawser is on the same path, averaging over five kills and two blocks per match and has whistled over 32 aces.

Defensively, Triton is much improved from the start of the year, and has seen Molly McFarland captain the defense to the tune of 318 digs, one of four with at least 100 digs on the squad. Jaela Faulkner (210 digs) and Alyxa Viers (174 digs) have also powered the back line against some very talented opponents. The duo of Emma Hepler and Dylanie Miller have done the assist work, combining for almost 500 assists and 200 digs together.

“I think we are seeing better leadership and fearless play out of our starters because the bench kids are becoming more competitive in practice and are producing in matches when given the chance,” Perry said. “The kids are excited to have another week to get better. They always work hard and are clear on what their job is on the court, on the bench, and in practice.”

Morgan Township comes into the regional at 27-5 this season, and while the résumé isn’t loaded with eye-popping wins, it does have standout victories against Lafayette Central Catholic and North Judson, to which Triton’s best win to date was against North Judson. The Cherokees do, however, have 11 more wins than the Trojans, and got there behind a foursome with some great optic numbers. Emily Rastovski and Sahara Bee have a combined 640 kills, Bee also with 90 aces and 244 assists, and Rastovski with 67 blocks. Gracie Abbett is the setup artist with 487 assists as well as 66 aces, and Morgan Barrette has been a rubber wall in the back row for the Cherokees with a whopping 1,193 serves received, over 800 more than the next person on the roster. Barrette has 393 digs, four times more than the next teammate.

“I think everyone at the regional is pretty good,” added Perry. “We play a tough regular season schedule that I believe will help us on Saturday. Morgan Township has several good players but (Rastovski) won’t be stopped but maybe controlled. When we play aggressive and attack we can control play instead of react to what they do.”

Triton and Morgan Township meet at 11 a.m. at Culver, the first of two regional matchups. In the second game are Lakewood Park (20-9) and Pioneer (28-5). Pioneer comes in after a run to state last season, and is rolling again this year. The Panthers have four girls with at least 100 kills and 200 digs, and six players overall with at least 200 digs. Madison Blickenstaff leads in kills with 277 and has 214 digs while Hailey Cripe has a team-leading 339 digs to go with 192 kills. Jara Esnal (272 digs, 126 kills) and Olivia Brooke (542 assists, 263 digs, 110 kills) rounds out a strong starting lineup.

Lakewood Park, owners of a pair of wins over a state-ranked Bethany Christian team as well as wins over Mishawaka and Fort Wayne Blackhawk, are led by a trio of players in Taylor Gerke (676 assists), Haley Kruse (341 kills, 249 digs) and Melanie Lee (277 kills).

The Culver Regional championship is set for 7 p.m.