By Nick Friend

COVENTRY — The East Providence girls’ volleyball team's season came to an end Thursday night, Nov. 12, at Coventry High School against one of the state’s best as the Townies fell to the host Knotty Oakers by the scores of 25-9, 25-12, 25-14 in the quarterfinals of the Division I state tournament.

Before the match even began, E.P. was forced into a big lineup change as Alyssa Guarino, a sophomore playing in her first-ever varsity contest, got the start in place of the sick Jordan Farnsworth.

Once the action got underway the Townies couldn't find their footing as Coventry took a commanding 7-1 lead, which forced E.P. to take an early timeout.

“When you start like that it is kind of demoralizing and that is the nature of the game,” EPHS head coach Alex Butler said. “That takes your heart away early.”

Despite a couple kills from Jayla Semedo, the Townies still struggled with their passing and offense as Coventry’s lead grew to 20-7 before the Oakers eventually took the game 25-9.

“We had no offense all game because we couldn’t pass and all we have talked about with this team is playing the first ball and we then start the match with three errors,” Coach Butler said. “That right there told you everything you needed to know about this match going forward.”

To start the second game, E.P. put up a fight thanks to a kill and block by Patricia Hurley, but still trailed 4-2. Coventry then made three serving errors of its own, which allowed the Townies to close the Oakers’ lead to 12-7. Later, an ace and a kill from Corrie Traverse wouldn’t be enough for E.P. to start a comeback as Coventry took the game 25-12 and a 2-0 lead overall.

In what would be the Townies’ last game of the season, mental errors proved costly as many who had led the team all year lost focus. Even with the errors, E.P. was still only down 8-6. Then, Coventry, which went 14-3 during the regular season, showed why its considered one of the state’s best sides as the Oakers went on a 17-8 run to close out the game and the match, winning 3-0.

“This game tonight isn’t how you have to remember this team,” Coach Butler said. “This team has come a tremendous way throughout the year.”

Jayla Semedo and Emma Drolet both had four kills and a couple block, but it was the Guarino that impressed the coach the most.

“Everybody says next person up and Alyssa has worked hard with us. As you saw tonight she came out here and passed nails,” Coach Butler said with a smile. “For a sophomore to play her first varsity game in the quarterfinals at Coventry and for her to came out and played like that? That is an awesome job.”

Coach Butler had nothing but praise for Coventry, a team that could go a long way.

“It is a team that realistically could get themselves into the finals,” he said. “They are one of the best teams in the state and they have been for the last couple of runs.”

The Townies, who finished third in the I-North regular season standings, completed their fall with a 9-10 overall record in league matches.