11:02 PM EDT on Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Carolyn Thornton: Hello, everyone. This is Carolyn Thornton. Thank you for signing on with us. Although we originally planned to have East Providence volleyball captains Catherine Fleming and Alexis Barbosa join us for tonight's chat, they were unable to make it because of work obligations. But three of their teammates have agreed to stand in for them. They are seniors Becky Smith, Amanda Medeiros and Kristen Johnson. So we welcome them. Feel free to start sending in your questions.

Carolyn Thornton: Why don't we start out with you all telling us a little bit about yourselves. How long have you been playing volleyball? What positions do you play?
East Providence girls volleyball team: Kristen: I've been playing for three years. I play middle hitter, and occasionally I play strong side. Amanda: I've been playing volleyball for four years. All four years I've been the setter for EP. This year I also hit weak side. Becky: I've been playing for three years, and for the majority of that time I played strong side hitter, but this year I also play back row as well.

Meegs: Hi, girls, who would you say is your toughest opponent?
East Providence girls volleyball team: We'd have to say that North Kingstown is probably our toughest competition this year. Lincoln and South Kingstown are very good teams this year as well.

Carolyn Thornton: What would you say are the key factors that have contributed to the tremendous success your team has experienced in recent years?
East Providence girls volleyball team: One of the biggest factors in our success would have to be the coaching. The coaches always push us to our highest potential. Also we've had great team chemistry over the past few years.

charger: What's the secret to your team's success?
East Providence girls volleyball team: Our success is not a secret. We have excellent coaches. We focus on the fundamentals of the game and work off of that.

charger: When I played volleyball, I always hated to hear steps behind me, knowing that someone else was going to try hitting the ball over my head (being kind of short didn't help.) How do you communicate with each other on the court so everyone knows who goes after the ball when?
East Providence girls volleyball team: We all make sure everyone is aware of where they're supposed to be on the court at all times so there's no confusion. Communication is the biggest factor. It's really important to get used to your teammates' style of play, so everything flows well.

Meegs: Hi Amanda, IT"s MOM, THIS IS JUST TO LET YOU KNOW HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU AND ALL THE GIRLS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK AND EXCITING GAMES WE 'VE HAD FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. LOVE MOM
East Providence girls volleyball team: Thanks mom!! Hi Mrs. Baker (Kristen and Becky) We love you too!

charger: Do you play other sports? Does volleyball help in some way?
East Providence girls volleyball team: Amanda: I play basketball in the winter. The fact that we run a lot during the volleyball season helps a great deal. I also play for a club team at URI, which has helped develop my hitting skills as well as my setting. Becky: I run cross-country and track, but they keep me in shape for volleyball rather than vice versa. Kristen: I play basketball in the off season as well. It helps keep me in shape and focused on my athletics. All three of us play summer league at Johnson & Wales which gives us a leg up on the competition.

Meegs: DO ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY PLANS TO PLAY VOLLEYBALL NEXT YEAR?
East Providence girls volleyball team: Amanda: I plan on playing in college in either a Div. 2 or Div. 3 school. Kristen: I plan to continue playing volleyball next year at college. As of now, I'm not sure where that will be. Becky: I'm also going to continue with volleyball, whether it be competitive or Intramural, depending on the school I attend.

Carolyn Thornton: Where did you learn the fundamentals of the game? Was it through a camp, a recreation league or through your high school coaches?
East Providence girls volleyball team: Becky: I would have to say that I learned the fundamentals mainly through my first years on JV. Coach (Alex) Butler is an excellent coach and he strengthens the player's basic skills. Also volleyball camp was very beneficial. Kristen: I first learned the fundamentals of the game from a summer camp that Coach (Luis) Carvalho, as well as other coaches from the league, help instruct participants on the most fundamental skills. From passing and staying low to making sure you snap down on the ball when you hit, but Carvalho still instills the basics into us everyday at practice. Amanda: Coach Butler really started me off on the right foot. He taught me all the fundamentals and Coach Carvalho just kept the ball rolling.

Meegs: DO YOU PREFER TO PLAY VOLLEYBALL AS A SPRING OR FALL SPORT?
East Providence girls volleyball team: We liked to play better in the spring season because it gave us time to concentrate when starting the school year. It was also a great way to end the year.

whatsatownie: How many hours do you practice in a week?
East Providence girls volleyball team: We practice about ten hours a week, but including games and tournaments we can put in up to 25 hours a week.

whatsatownie: What part of your team's game makes you better than your competition?
East Providence girls volleyball team: Our defense and our serve recieve is the backbone of the team's success. It is not possible for our setting and our offense to excel without the defense to back it up.

Meegs: WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO THE UNDERGRADS FOR NEXT YEAR
East Providence girls volleyball team: We would have to tell them that in order to continue the success of previous years, they have to have determination and a good work ethic. You have to play hard during the off-season as well, and always strive to improve your game.

Carolyn Thornton: As seniors on the team, how much pressure, if any, do you feel to keep East Providence's winning tradition going?
East Providence girls volleyball team: It's all on us. There is a lot of pressure because we are the ones who have to carry the team. We want to make our senior year memorable, and also we want to keep the tradition alive for the underclassmen.

beckyscousin: Being the tallest on my highschool volleyball team (6'1) How tall is your tallest player?
East Providence girls volleyball team: Our tallest player is 5'9". Most of our players are between 5'6" and 5'8".

beckyscousin: Do you have enough time for jobs?
East Providence girls volleyball team: Amanda: It is very difficult to hold a job during the season. It is a lot of responsibility to continue doing both at the same time. I do work and I have a very understanding manager who really helps by working around my schedule. Kristen and Becky: We both had jobs at the beginning of the season but because of team obligations we chose to keep our focus on the season, and will most likely resume working when the season ends.

Carolyn Thornton: You mentioned team chemistry as a key to your success. That's something that every team strives for, but isn't always able to achieve. How have you developed such a strong camaraderie? What sorts of things do you do as a team to strengthen that?
East Providence girls volleyball team: We have such strong team chemistry because we work together on and off the court. We have classes together, and we also participate in a lot of team functions. Also, we've built many strong friendships over the years which come into play on the floor.

Meegs: SHARE WITH US ONE OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS
East Providence girls volleyball team: The best moment that we've shared together would have to be the night of the state championship last year. We left CCRI after winning the states, and were escorted back to school by police and all of our fans. We were met at school by firetrucks showering us with their hoses, and the parking lot was filled with family and friends. It was one of the best feelings we've experienced.

beckyscousin: do you have a game friday night?
East Providence girls volleyball team: No, we have an away game Thursday, as well as three games next week. Check out our schedule online at townieathletics.com!

pocashawna4: How do you more experienced players interact with the new players on the team?
East Providence girls volleyball team: We help them get used to the coaching style, as well as our practice routine. Talking to them a lot helps reassure them, and keeps them focused. We do our best to help them improve upon their skills.

Carolyn Thornton: I'm afraid our time is up. Thanks to all of you - especially you, Amanda's Mom! - who sent in great questions. And thank you, Becky, Amanda and Kristen, for stopping by to chat with us. Best of luck to you and your team!
East Providence girls volleyball team: Thanks for having us, we really enjoyed sharing our thoughts and memories with you. Thank you all for your questions and support. We won't let you down! GO TOWNIES!!!