EPHS boys’ spikers make long-waited return

Inexperienced Townies have new home in Division II

By Mike Rego
Posted 5/20/21

EAST PROVIDENCE — Some two years removed from play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Providence High School boys’ volleyball team began its 2021 season last week with basically a …

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EPHS boys’ spikers make long-waited return

Inexperienced Townies have new home in Division II

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Some two years removed from play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Providence High School boys’ volleyball team began its 2021 season last week with basically a whole new roster and in new surroundings.

The last time the Townies took to the court, in 2019, they slumped to one of their worst seasons in years. EPHS struggled to a 1-17 record in the league and missed the D-I playoffs.

For 2021, the Townies, after spending decades in the state’s top tier, have dropped to Division II where they’ll play the other 11 teams in the league once during the regular season.

“We moved down to Division II, so it’s a different challenge for us, but one of our goals is to make the playoffs, as it always is, and another is to get through the season without any COVID issues,” said EPHS head coach Dan Cabral. “So, I would say the first goal is get through the season with no issues, making the playoffs would be second and we also want to make sure the kids are developing their skills as well.”

East Providence played four of its scheduled league matches in the first two weeks of the regular season, starting Providence with a 3-0 loss against Classical. The Townies next met Westerly in their home opener on May 13, losing 3-1 by the scores of 26-24, 21-25, 26-24 and 25-21.

E.P. followed up with a 3-0 win over Lincoln (25-18, 25-18, 25-22) then dropped a 3-0 decision to North Smithfield.

Junior outside hitter Zach Botelho is the only experienced player back in the fold from two years ago. The rest of the team is either new to varsity or the sport in general.

“The goal (in 2019) was to put Zach in there and get his feet wet,” Cabral said. “Little did I know he would eventually be my only returning player.”

Botelho is joined on varsity by classmates Owen Tellier (defensive specialist), Kyle Dunn (setter), Rami Jamal Aldine (opposite side hitter), Brett Schwab (defensive specialist), Ryan Amoroso (defensive specialist) and Grant Wosencroft (middle hitter).

David Capobianco (middle/right side hitter) is the other upperclassmen and lone senior on the team. The sophomores are Jayden Cadwell (middle/right side hitter) and Jayveeon Gonsalves (right side). The freshmen are Levi Jacobs (middle) and Xavier Hazard (opposite/right side).

“Right now, it’s a matter of who is playing most consistent is who will get the time,” Cabral said. “We’re very fluid given the COVID situation and our lack of experience, especially considering we didn’t play last season. It’s kind of like starting over.”

The Townies have maintained the same stringent health and safety protocols as were implemented for sports throughout the 2020-21 school term. The coach is hoping it will allow his side to avoid any cancellation of games or players having to sit out because of the virus.

“We’re moving forward every day. The practices are getting better each time. The compete level is good. We have a lot of basketball guys on the team, which is good. They’ve played recently, which has helped with the compete level,” said Cabral.

He added, “But we have a lot of work to do. We’re doing a lot of basic stuff. Like I said, it’s kind of like we’re starting over. We’re trying to speed up the process as fast as we can. They’re learning on the fly, which is tough to do at the varsity level.”

The Townies return to action Thursday night, May 20, in Barrington against the host Eagles at 6:30 p.m. EPHS hosts the Tolman/Shea co-op on May 25 also at 6:30 p.m. then travels to Warwick to face Pilgrim on May 27 at 6 p.m.

— East Providence Post and eastbayri.com contributing photographer Julie Furtado shot the accompanying gallery of photos.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.