EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School girls' tennis team opened up its 2020 Division III regular season schedule last week with a 5-2 victory over understaffed neighbor Providence Country Day.

The Townies began the contest with a two point lead because the Knights did not have players to vie at the Nos. 2 and 3 doubles slots. The E.P. tandem of Jaelyn DaSilva-Emma Gilheeney defeated PCD's Ava Kooloian-Rachel Papineau by the scores of 6-2, 6-3 at the first position to earn the lone point from the pairings.

In singles, Townies' No. 1 Raissa Luu recorded a straight set win over the Knights' Javia Hamel, 4-and-3. Likewise, E.P.'s Wendy Carvalho was a 7-5, 7-5 winner over Iris Petrillo at the four position.

In between, PCD picked up its two points. Caroline Demetrakas beat Houn Kim, 3-and-2, at No. 2 while Marguerite Cozzone went the distance as she rallied to defeat Bree Riel by the scores of 3-6, 6-3 and 6-2.

The match was contested under the Rhode Island Interscholastic League's new COVID-19 guidelines, which included among other health and safety restrictions each player using her own can of balls, only contacting balls with a player's racquet and no handshakes.