EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School boys’ volleyball team solidified its second-place spot in the Division II standings and took another step towards securing the corresponding spot in the upcoming league championship playoffs after the Townies dispatched visiting Pilgrim 3-1 Wednesday night, May 18.

East Providence and Pilgrim entered the contest tied for second behind the unbeaten and league-leading Mount St. Charles/North Smithfield co-op (14-0). The Townies, in fact, were coming off a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Mounties two nights earlier.

Against the visiting Patriots last Wednesday night, EPHS won by the scores of 25-18, 23-25, 25-17 and 25-11. The Townies improved to 12-3 in the D-II standings with three regular matches remaining at the time while Pilgrim dipped to 11-5 with only two outings remaining on its regular season slate. Key as well, East Providence earned a split with the Patriots, avenging a 3-2 loss to host Pilgrim in Warwick in late April.

Xavier Hazard led the Townies’ attack with 10 kills. He also added 12 digs. Grant Wosencroft had nine kills and two service aces.

“I thought we played hard. We had guys diving on the floor and not giving up on plays,” EPHS head coach Dan Cabral said of the Townies’ effort against the Patriots.

About the significance of the win over Pilgrim, he added, “We knew this was an important match for us, but I told them it really does not mean anything if we do not finish strong.”

The Townies were set to travel to Warwick Thursday night, May 19, to face Toll Gate. EPHS then closes out its regular season with games on May 24 at home against the Pawtucket (Tolman/Shea) co-op and May 27 at West Warwick. Each match starts at 6:30 p.m.