EAST PROVIDENCE — The 2022 edition of the East Providence High School Unified Volleyball League team, which brings together Special Needs student-athletes with their peers from the general population held its Senior Day for its members last Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 19.

The festivities took place prior to an intra-squad game and featured introductions of the seniors and performances from the East Providence High School fall cheerleader squad.

The Unified Volleyball program is a combined effort of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and Special Olympics-Rhode Island.

For the Townies, it is the seventh season EPHS has sponsored a team. The organizations also offer a Unified Basketball program in the spring. EPHS has participated in hoops since 2016.

The 2022 playing athletes include Marin Bessette, Ethan Medeiros, Alex Vieira, Jaiden Wright, Angelo Masso, Shane Lavin, Shawn Gallagher, Denzel Sivels, Brett Nadrowski, PJ Kochan, Ben Nascimento and Joseph Santana.

Their general population partners include Olivia Norwood, Emanuel Julian, Mikayla Gallagher and Madison Slavick.

The staff includes head coach Dana Brodin and assistant coach Kristen Coutoulakis along with aides Stephanie Callahan, Niurka Ferreira and Beth Studley.

The Townies played their first  match in the Division 5 playoffs in Central Falls Tuesday, Nov. 1, beating the Warriors, 25-10 and 25-22.

EPHS next plays Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Rhode Island School for Deaf.