EAST PROVIDENCE — Much like their male counterparts did this past spring, the members and coaches of the East Providence High School girls’ volleyball team are hoping a change in scenery breaths some renewed vigor into the once proud program.

A few months ago the EPHS boys, after struggling to maintain their long-held status as a contender in Division I, enjoyed a renaissance season after dropping down to Division II, going 15-4 overall and reaching the playoff semifinals.

This fall, the Townies are following a similar track on the girls’ side of the sport. Under the latest two-year realignment plan devised by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, the locals are moving to D-II upon their recent struggles and after years as being among the state’s premier programs.

In fairness, the heady days of EPHS girls’ volleyball, when the Townies won seven Division I state titles in 14 years including six of seven trophies between 2000 and 2006, are now a very distant memory.

Last season, the Townies went 3-13 and missed the playoffs. They did qualify for the postseason in the COVID-19 abbreviated 2021 spring season, but only compiled a 1-8 record.

There was no fall season at the height of the pandemic in 2020. EPHS was 4-11 and 6-10 in the previous two years, respectively.

The Townies haven’t had a winning record since 2017 when they went 10-8 and won a match in the D-I playoffs.

“We didn’t just come to the realization that we’re not good enough to stay in one. We’ve been competitive. We’ve been scrappy. We just didn’t have the talent to compete in one. And it didn’t just start the last year or couple of years. It’s been happening for a while,” said veteran EPHS head coach Alex Butler, assisted as he has been for the last few falls by former Townie standout Amanda (Cabral) Small.

He continued, “I’ve been on the realignment committee for the last 15 years or so. And I would always say at meetings we all needed to check our egos at the door. We can’t hold up an entire sport because one or two schools want to stay in Division I. I wasn’t going to be a hypocrite. I can’t go against what the numbers say. We are where we are now because of how we’ve played. It’s no fault of the kids or us as a staff. We work as hard as we always have. We just haven’t been good enough to win games in one.”

Butler expects his five seniors, each of whom has ample varsity experience, to guide the team through this season of transition. Brookelyn Feola and Keira Quadros are outside hitters, Ryleigh Grant is a middle, Emma Nordquist is a setter and Julia Williamson is a defensive specialist.

“The five seniors have been with me for all four years. They’ve gone through it. They know how we do things,” said Butler. “They’re great kids who work extremely hard. And they’ve come into this year with a renewed sense of purpose and energy.”

Three newcomers to the program, the coach explained, have had a bit to do with the different feel of the squad. In fact, Butler said the trio has “changed the dynamic…brought an explosiveness” to the team that has been somewhat missing in recent years,

Junior Kate Bernhardt is a middle hitter and transfer student new to the city from Idaho.

Similarly, junior Daniella Escudero is a libero and transfer to EPHS from a bit closer by, from neighboring Tolman in Pawtucket.

And Keira Mullen is a freshman right side/opposite hitter, who is a dynamic talent and that already has vast experience in the sport at the club level.

Mullen became the first freshman in the 20-plus years since the high school has housed grades 9-12 to start for the girls' volleyball program.

"We've never had a freshman from day one be a starter," Butler said of Mullen, who's older sister Malia is also a member of the program.

"It was a close call whether she was going to play for us or play soccer," Butler added. "She's a great athlete. Her athletiscism just pops and she already has a great  knowledge of the game."

As for others in the immediate mix, juniors Malia Mullen (middle) and Ella DeCosta (outside) began the year seeing the most consistent time off the bench.

The rest of the 2022 roster and those who could contribute to varsity are juniors Teagan Abatiello (outside), Nora Fineran (defensive specialist), Charlotte Kane (defensive specialist), Mya Kilgore (right/opposite) and Kennedy Salgueiro (middle)

“The other kids are juniors new to the team. They’re still getting caught up to varsity speed,” Butler said. “But like I tell them, there is no set lineup. If you’re doing it in practice, if you show me you can do it, then you’re going to get an opportunity to get on the floor.”

EPHS took to the court for the first time officially late last week when the Townies opened their 2022 D-II league slate with a convincing 3-0 victory over visiting Middletown. The locals won by the scores of 26-24, 25-9, 25-12.

East Providence is now a part of the 17-team second tier along with the aforementioned Middletown, Johnston, Cumberland, Chariho, Mt. Hope, St. Raphael, Westerly, Pilgrim, Barrington, Rogers, Exeter-West Greenwich, Ponaganset, Burrillville, Lincoln and North Smithfield.

“I have no idea about any of these programs. We’ve never really played them. And the ones who are in two and used to be in one are likely two or three coaches removed, so I have no idea how they play,” Butler added.

He continued, “It doesn’t matter anyway. Our focus is on us. We’re going to try to play Townie volleyball. Nothing has changed from that perspective. We’re going to play who is in front of us. But all I can say so far is the attitudes have been great, the positivity is great. They’re a lot of fun to be around.”

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