The Cranston East girls volleyball team has shaken off a slow start to the season, winning two of its last three matches to climb back into the Division I playoff hunt.

The Bolts dropped their first four matches, being swept in all of them. However, they would break through when they swept Pilgrim 3-0, then later beating Hope 3-0 last Friday.

East is looking to take a step forward this season after winning just one game last year. Second-year coach Andrew Khvang has been encouraged in the early going, crediting his senior captains Ala’Iah Lopez, Mariel Vargas, Angelina Saing, as well as breakout junior Merelie Ramos.

“Merelie Ramos has taken a bigger role this season. She’s playing a big part. The returning seniors have been put in bigger leadership roles, taking accountability. They’ve taken some big steps since last year,” said Khvang.

East will have a tough road ahead as it navigates the loaded Division I field. Khvang has urged the players to take things day by day and to put the slow start behind them.

“Our season can’t be defined by wins but by playing together as a team and getting better each day. That’s my goal for the team. The energy is getting there, the chemistry within the team, the camaraderie has been getting a lot better,” said Khvang. “It’s going to be about just building good habits with the team. The beginning of the season doesn’t define us. It’s just about working hard and coming in with the mindset that if we take it one step at a time, we can win some games.”

The Bolts took on North Kingstown on Wednesday night but the results were not available at press time. East will next be in action on Friday when its hosts Mt. Hope.