EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School girls' volleyball team, the pace-setters to date in the Division II ranks, returned to league action earlier this week following a six-day break, but it didn't seem to matter as the Townies picked up where they left off with a decisive 3-1 win over visiting Lincoln High Monday night, Oct. 2, on Carvalho Court.

East Providence remained undefeated as the locals improved to 9-0 while continuing the second half of their D-II schedule. The Townies did have one impressive string snapped Monday night. Their run of consecutive sets won was halted at 23 in a row. EPHS win the first two against the Lions, 25-15 and 25-21, before the visitors claimed the third 25-22, only to have the Townies close out the match with a 25-18 victory in set four. In the third set loss, EP committed seven service errors.

Eliza Vest had 12 kills and four service aces to pace the locals at the net. Keira Mullen added 10 kills and 12 assists along with seven aces. Daniella Escudero had 10 digs and five aces. Malia Mullen chipped in six kills and four blocks. 

Of his team's impressive streak to start the year, EPHS head coach Alex Butler said, "We're 9-0, but I don’t focus on the record. I’m looking at how we are playing. Right now we're inconsistent and working to find out level of play, which can be very high.

"We have talented pieces, but we don’t put it together for a full match. We have lapses in focus, which show in serving and serve receive, the two most important parts of the game. We have a long way to go. People get hung up on the record. I don’t care about that. I care about how we are playing."

After traveling to Warwick to face Pilgrim on October 4, the Townies again hit the road October 10 to face Middletown before returning home Thursday night, Oct. 5, to host Ponaganset at 6:30.

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