EAST PROVIDENCE — After a year completely away from the court due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Providence High School boys’ tennis team returned to action this week with a host of first-time players and a whole lot of enthusiasm.

“We’re excited,” said EPHS head coach Paul Amaral. “We have two seniors and 10 ninth graders, but that’s OK. We’re here to build a team, build a culture. We’re getting some match experience now.”

Three freshmen and one of the returning seniors have earned the top four singles spots. The youngsters — playing 1, 2 and 4 — are Brayden Rouette, James McShane and Nathan Thurber. Senior Nathan Perry holds the third position.

Freshmen Miguel Flores and Alijah Sparks-McSwain form the No. 1 doubles tandem. The second pairing is also made up of ninth graders Amare Gomes and James O’Hara. Kendrick Dias, the team’s other returning senior, and freshman Jeff Bento compose the third team.

Two more freshmen, Jaydon Massa and Kenneth Dias will likely see action as substitutes.

Amaral acknowledged the team doesn’t have any true “tennis players,” those kids who have a real history with the sport, but the roster does have “athletes,” who could quickly pick up the intricacies of the game.

Helping mentor the new players is a former member of the program, 2016 grad Slade Sharma. Amaral credited Sharma with helping recruit the large of group of freshmen to tennis, in part due to the rapport he has developed with the student-athletes while serving as a substitute teacher at Martin Middle School.

Of Sharma, Amaral continued, “He’s got enthusiasm for the sport. He’s got enthusiasm for the kids. The kids love him, as I love having him as an assistant. It puts us at a different level of being able to train these kids. Right from the get-go, we’re able to teach them things from holding a racquet, to keeping score. They know where they should be on the court for the most part for singles and doubles. It’s been a blessing having him.”

The Townies have eight matches this spring as part of their Division III regular season schedule.

Next week, EPHS plays in Portsmouth May 24, hosts neighboring Providence Country Day May 26 then welcomes Burrillville to the city May 27.

“I think we can battle for .500. We have eight matches, 4-4, that’s goal. Why not?” Amaral said of the season ahead. “We’re here to have some fun and compete. We have a bunch of kids who want to compete. We’re looking forward to it. We’re excited.”