EAST PROVIDENCE — The usually stellar East Providence High School girls’ volleyball team is off to a rough start to the 2015 season as many untested upperclassmen attempt to take on larger and more pivotal roles.

The Townies entered this week with a 0-3 record, having been shut out in each of those matches by the same 3-0 score. E.P. ended its skid Tuesday night, Sept. 15, with a 3-0 win of its own over cross-city foe Bay View.

"We have so many new people and parts on the floor so it takes a lot of work to put all of those things together,” EPHS head coach Alex Butler said. “There is going to be some ugly parts in matches and we are not going to play well for stretches, but they have to continue to work.”

The Townies girls’ volleyball program continues its’ quest for another solid season in a tough Division I-North which includes many other successful programs like Mount St. Charles and long-time rivals, LaSalle.

E.P’s starting roster includes senior middle hitter Jayla Semedo (captain), senior outside hitter Corrie Traverse (captain), junior outside Kate Atwell, junior middle hitter Patricia Hurley, senior setter Hanna Maynard, junior right side Emma Drolet and junior libero Jordan Farnsworth. All have had to take on key roles that they are not accustom to.

“When you have a new setter (and) middle it is asking a lot,” Coach Butler said. “It’s the heart of your defense. Plus, guess what? It is hard to come out here and play with the pressures of the program. There is still a long stretch of time here to get better.”

The starting lineup is subject to change and will be assisted by several important subs including senior defensive specialist Katelyn Tewksbury, senior outside Jamielin Forsythe and junior right side Haley Fanara.

So far, the Townies have had many errors occur due to a lack of communication which must improve according to Coach Butler.

“Communication for us right now has to get better on floor,” he said. “Who is the voice? I need people like Corrie Traverse, Jayla Semedo and Emma Drolet to step up and talk; for a lot of them that isn’t their personality.”

Coach Butler also said the teams’ style of play will relay on solid defense, passing, and serving. In the first stretch of games, the Townies have been lunging after a ball which is a sign of poor footwork.

“Our footwork has been really bad,” Coach Butler explained. “We are a step slow to every ball. The easier the ball the more fundamentally sound you have to be and we aren’t consistent enough with that.”

The head coach also has big expectations for many players including junior and second-year starter Drolet.

“She (Emma) is now a larger part of our offense,” Coach Butler said. “I told her at the beginning of the year that she should be one of the ten best players in the state and I still believe that.”

As for the overall season, Coach Butler remains optimistic if E.P. can improve going forward.

“I am trying to get everyone to just do their job, but at the same time the collective part has to be there too,” a clearly motivated Coach Butler expressed. “When does that happen? There is too much talent and ability for that not to show up at some point. We are searching for a voice and an identity.”

— By Nick Friend, Post Intern

— Photos by Rich Dionne