EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School girls' volleyball team closed last week still unbeaten on its return to Division I this fall, but the Townies had to work a bit harder than expected in their two matches during the span.

East Providence earned its third win in as many regular season outing at the time, though it wasn't as easy as it first appeared to be. The Townies raced to 2-0 lead over host Barrington Wednesday night, Sept. 11. However, the visitors had to withstand a tenacious rally by the Eagles before holding on to a 3-2 win: 25-21, 25-17, 22-25, 15-25 and 15-11.

Keira Mullen led the locals 14 kills, 16 assists, 10 digs, 4 blocks and 4 service aces. Ellie Vest added 7 kills, 10 digs and 4 aces. The last of Mullen's spikes, off a back-row dig by a libero Jathai Sanchez and a set by freshman Ella Grimley, accounted for match point.

The game was the first inter-league outing under the revised Interscholastic League scheduling formula for the Division I Townies. They picked up 6 points in the new system for beating D-2 Barrington.

The Townies were back to D-I opposition and picked up their fourth win in a row to close the week, a 3-1 decision over visiting Chariho Friday night, Sept. 13, on Carvalho Court.

The meeting was the first between the schools since the Chargers smoked the locals for the 2022 D-II by 3-0 count (25-18, 25-9, 26-24). Chariho predated East Providence's move up to D-I, doing so in time for last fall when the Townies, similarly, rolled to the D-II title.

Last Friday night, East Providence spotted the Chargers the first game 13-25, then won the next three by the scores of 25-20, 25-12, 25-18. Sophomore Kaia Greene, at libero, was an impactful sub for the locals, according to head coach Alex Butler. Mullen had 10 kills 13 assists 7 digs 3 aces and 2 blocks. Aliyah Evora had 7 kills and 2 blocks.

"We're about in the place I thought we would be overall," EPHS head coach Alex Butler said of his Townies, who have several different faces holding key positions this year.

He continued, "I knew we would struggle early with consistency and communication because we have so many new players on the floor and some people in new roles. Now we're integrating more people, so I expect that to still be a major focus to work on."

The Townies are back in action Tuesday night, Sept. 16, when they head to East Greenwich for a 6:30 start. East Providence returns home to host Cranston East, Thursday, Sept. 19, also at 6:30 p.m.

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