The East Providence High School boys' tennis team reached what turns out the be the most important portion of its 2024 Division II regular season schedule in position to potentially earn a top seeding in the upcoming league championship playoffs.

The Townies began this week with a deceptively competitive outing in what was a 6-1 victory over visiting Narragansett Tuesday afternoon, April 30.

James McShane won his contest at first singles 6-3 and 6-4. John Vaughan was a 1-and-1 winner at third. Jaydon Amaral went the distance in his match at fourth, winning 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-7 in a pro-set breaker.

Jordan O'Hara and Nathan Thurber won 6-2 and 7-6 (7-5) at first dubs. Brayden Rouette and Justin Petion picked up a 1-and-1 win at second. Joe Kramer and Jaydon Massa won 6-4 and 6-4 at third.

East Providence improved to 8-1 with the victory and with a date against undefeated East Greenwich on the road Thursday, May 2, in the offing.

The Avengers actually entered the match in a share of first place atop the D-II standings with fellow 9-0 side Classical.

The next run of matches for the locals also includes an outing against the Purple in East Providence on Thursday, May 9. In between, the Townies, as well, host next-door neighbor Providence Country Day on Tuesday, May 7.

"Considering the division standings we are back in control of our own destiny having East Greenwich and Classical remaining on our schedule," said EPHS head coach Slade Sharma. "Winning out the rest of the season is a big goal for us, but regardless we’ll be prepared for any situation and just see where the cards fall."

The Townies entered their showdown with East Greenwich winners of seven matches in a row since dropping its lone contest to date, 4-1, to reigning league champion North Kingstown back on April 11. McShane accounted for the locals' lone point in the defeat with his victory at first singles.

"NK is great, they’re the defending champs. I don’t think we faced them while we were at our best. But for now that’s in the rear view mirror and the focus now is trying to come out with the No. 1 seed in the division," Sharma said.

It's been a very busy few weeks for the Townies. Inclement weather and some health issues early in the spring meant EPHS had to make adjustments to its schedule and its lineup. The locals came through both situations in fine form.

"I’m really happy with where the team is right now. We had a difficult schedule to start the season," said Sharma. "I think it was important for us to have some challenges early on to keep us focused on our big picture goal of playing in the last match of the season."

EP's recent run included a 6-1 victory over Cumberland. McShane was a 6-1, 6-2 winner. Vaughan added a 0-and-1 win at the third spot while Amaral was a 6-1, 6-4 winner at No. 4. Abigail Ellison was a tough-luck loser for EP at second singles, falling in three close sets, 5-7, 6-4 and 10-4 in a pro-set breaker.

East Providence continued its super play in pairs. The Townies' top tandem of O'Hara and Thurber were 2-and-1 winners. Just back in the lineup from injury, Rouette teamed with Petion to win at No. 2 by the scores of 7-6 (7-2) and 6-3. EP's third duo of Massa-Kramer also needed three sets to win 3-6, 6-3 and 10-6.

EP also recently finished off of a come-from-behind victory Middletown to conclude a match earlier in the season halted by darkness. EP trailed the host Islanders 2-3 when the contest was ended on April 9.

Upon a return trip to Aquidneck Island, the Townies' second and third doubles teams went the three set distance to earn the deciding points. At 2, Petion and Kramer were winners 7-6, 6-7 and 6-0 while at 3 Massa and Steel Martin won 7-5, 4-6 and 7-5.

In addition, the Townies shut out host Westerly 5-0 on April 23. McShane, Vaughan, Amaral and Rouette, in his season debut returning from an arm ailment, were straight set winners at 1-4 singles, respectively.

O'Hara and Thurber were 0-and-0 winners at first dubs for the fifth point. In total, the locals lost only seven games in those five matches.

"Having Brayden back in our lineup is huge for us. Not only is he a skilled player but he’s got a lot of heart and great character traits that are infectious. The team is really happy to see him on the court again," Sharma said of Rouette's return.

EP also earned a 6-1 on the road against Prout in Narragansett on April 25. McShane (1-and-0) and Rouette (4-and-4) won in straights at singles. Vaughan (6-3) needed three sets to win at No. 2. Amaral lost his outing at three, 3-6 in the third.

O'Hara and Thurber went the distance at first doubles, winning 6-2 in the third. Petion and Kramer were 2-and-4 winners while Massa and Martin also needed three sets, 6-2 in the third, to earn their win.