EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School girls' volleyball team reached its final match on its 2023 Division II regular season schedule still undefeated and having clinched the overall No. 1 seed in the upcoming league championship tournament.

The Townies improved to 15-0 with their latest victory, a 3-0 shutout of host North Smithfield Monday night, Oct. 23.

Malia Mullen had seven kills and two blocks to pace the locals up front. Daniella Escudero led the defense with 16 digs while contributing four aces at the service line.

East Providence was coming off a shutout of Exeter-West Greenwich late last week. The Townies defeated the Scarlet Knights by the scores of 25-16, 25-23 and 25-21. Keira Mullen had 12 kills and Ella DeCosta 11 to lead EPHS at the net. Setter Nora Fineran had 15 assists.

The Townies close out their schedule Thursday evening, Oct. 26, at home against visiting Westerly on Senior Night. Senior Night festivities begin at 6:15 p.m. followed by the opening service at 6:30.

Asked what he wanted to see from his club during the last few matches of the regular season, EPHS head coach Alex Butler said, "I need to see consistent play. We have to get off the roller coaster. We're still too much up and down play. We need to play to our level and sustain that for the match. If we do that ,we will be fine. If we keep playing up and down, we're going to get caught one night and the light switch isn’t going to go on."

At least 10 teams appear likely to qualify for the league playoffs. As the one seed, East Providence will host the eighth seed in the quarterfinal round. That opponent should come from the grouping of North Smithfield, Bay View, Lincoln High or Cranston West depending on the results from the last week of the regular season.

The quarters are planned for November 2 and 3 with semifinal matches set for either November 7 or 8. The Division II championship match takes place Saturday, Nov. 11, at Rhode Island College's Walsh Gymnasium. Tentative start time is 1:30 p.m.