Providence, R.I.- The Providence College volleyball head coach Margot Royer-Johnson announced today (Nov. 12) that Ellie Chu, Lyla Buser, Aubrey Easterwood, Ava Dyer and Gwen Koss each signed a written offer of athletic aid to attend Providence College beginning in the fall of 2026 and compete as members of the Friars’ volleyball program.

Chu is a 5’9 setter from Sierra Madre, Calif. She plays for Polytechnic School, where she serves as captain and has recorded 1,703 assists, 583 digs, 345 kills and 215 aces. Chu made First-Team All-Conference in the 2025 season and holds the school record for serving the most consecutive points (24). She plays club for SC Rockstar Volleyball Club. 

“Ellie is an extremely fundamentally-skilled player as both a setter and defensive specialist,” Royer-Johnson said, “Her serve is a huge weapon and she is a spitfire on the court. She will help us defensively and give us depth at the setter position. She is a perfect fit for us.”

Buser is a 6’3 right side from Wellington, Fla. She plays for Cardinal Newman High School and is a three-year captain. Buser has recorded 809 career kills, 82 aces, 205 blocks and 287 digs. She led her team to two District Championships and was named Best Offensive Player in 2024. She plays club for Jupiter Elite Volleyball.

“Lyla is a killer on the right side,” Royer Johnson said. “Her length allows her to put up a big block and her tenacity and speed will allow her to be an immediate offensive weapon for us. We are so happy she is a Friar!”

Easterwood is a 6’4 middle blocker from Dallas, Texas. She plays for John Paul II High School, where she served as captain. She helped lead her team to the State Semifinals in 2024. She has recorded 341 career blocks and posted a .378 pct her sophomore year (2023), a .422 pct as a junior (2024) and an impressive .466 as a senior (2025). Easterwood was named to the 2025 AVCA All-American Watch List. She plays club for TAV.

“Aubrey is a massive presence in the middle. She transitions well to hit and her reach will make her difficult to defend,” Royer-Johnson said, “Her strength as a blocker will make an immediate impact on our team. We are pumped to start working with her in Friartown!”

Dyer is a 5’8 libero from Fort Worth, Texas. She plays for R.L. Paschal High School, where she is a four-year captain. Dyer holds the record for most digs in a single game (39) and has recorded 1,580 career digs. She is a three-time All District First-Team selection, two-time Paschal Volleyball MVP and the 2025 District Defensive Player of the Year. Dyer plays club for TAV.

“Ava is super quick and reads hitters better than anyone we have seen at her age,” Royer-Johnson said, “She never gives up defensively and will provide a spark for us immediately. We look forward to her contagious energy on the court right away.”

Koss is a 6’0 outside hitter from Houston, Texas. She plays for Stratford High School, where she has recorded 1,252 kills and 1,173 digs. She helped lead her team to the State Finals in 2024 was named to the State Championship All-Tournament Team. Koss was named to the 2025 AVCA All-American Watch List. She plays club for Houston Skyline Volleyball Club.

“Gwen is a solid six-rotation hitter. Her passing and hitting efficiency are due to her strong platform and ability to read the game,” Royer-Johnson said, “She is a smart hitter, who is comfortable hitting every shot. Welcome to Friartown, Gwen!”

-GO FRIARS!-

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Thursday will mark the third oversight hearing since the westbound Washington Bridge closure, but this time, former U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha will lead the probe.

John Marion, with Common Cause Rhode Island, called the move unusual.

“It’s unusual because they’re bringing in outside help and because of who they’re bringing in,” Marion said in an interview with Target 12 on Tuesday. “They’re bringing in the most former U.S. attorney, somebody who’s very well-versed in complex litigation.”

The lawsuit against 13 companies the state blames for the bridge’s failure has become a source of frustration for lawmakers and the public, with RIDOT limiting how much they can answer while the suit is ongoing.

“We had those two prior hearings, but we felt as though we were handcuffed at the time,” Sen. Mark McKenney told Target 12 on Wednesday. “We were advised by the governor’s office and by the attorney general’s office that we shouldn’t delve into any questions that might in any way impact the potential lawsuit the state is bringing.”

R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti is the only witness, and unlike previous committee hearings, he will be required to testify under oath.

In a live interview on 12 News at 4 on Wednesday, R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha said Gov. Dan McKee sent him a letter “not long ago” asking if a member of his team would sit with Alviti on Thursday. He said he agreed to it.

“The instructions to our attorney are to let Director Alviti answer the questions. In other words, there’s not going to be a lot of interference by our lawyer with the process,” Neronha said. “We want Director Alviti to answer the questions. We’re not going to get in the way of those questions, and hopefully, Rhode Islanders will get answers.”

McKenney, who chairs the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight, and Rep. Patricia Serpa, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said they believe Cunha, who will ask the bulk of the questions on Thursday, will be able to get answers from Alviti.

“So, let’s see where the facts take us when he responds,” Serpa told Target 12 on Wednesday.

“We’re also keeping in mind that this isn’t necessarily as much about blame and pointing fingers as it is about making sure that we get the facts, we understand them, and we know for the next time what we need to do,” McKenney added. “This is about restoring trust in state government and restoring trust in bridges.”

Serpa said since the bridge’s closure, public trust in the state’s bridges has worsened.

“There are a considerable number of us who don’t like bridges under the best of circumstances, and we’re leery about taking bridges,” Serpa said. “There’s a lot of trust that needs to be restored. So, we hope to do that before this is over.”

For example, McKenney said he hopes to learn if proper maintenance was performed, if inspections done on the bridge were thorough and overseen, and if RIDOT was looking in the right places during those inspections.

“This is a very unique and complex bridge, and there’s a significant question about whether or not our state agency fully recognized the importance of looking in certain places, with respect to this bridge,” McKenney said. “That’s a little scary.”

Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz told Target 12 that she’s still anticipating some pushback because of the ongoing litigation.

“But the thing is, if the state’s at fault, we should be honest about it,” de La Cruz said. “It doesn’t matter if you live in East Providence or in Woonsocket. This bridge closure affects the entire state.”

Lawmakers asked for the latest hearing after Target 12 obtained a copy of the long-awaited forensic audit of the Washington Bridge in September, which showed that state officials should have been aware of structural problems with the bridge long before it was closed down in December 2023.

“The timeline is a big question,” de la Cruz added.

Some lawmakers said they have their doubts about whether the hearing will garner any new information.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t expect to learn anything new,” House Minority Whip, Rep. David Place, told Target 12 on Wednesday. “Everything that is out there is in the public record, and I think if there was a potential learn something new, the attorney general would not be giving the go-ahead to potentially swear the director in and testify under oath.”

Place said he believes the hearing will largely serve as an opportunity to appease the public and politicians seeking office next year.

“We’re in essence in an election cycle now and politicians are lining up to run for offices, and they leverage what they have now to benefit themselves later on,” Place said. “I don’t expect that to change one bit tomorrow.”

New this time, though, Place said about a dozen questions from the public may be submitted in Thursday’s hearing. He declined to provide Target 12 with the questions prior to Thursday.

“We want [Alviti] to, if we ask a question for the public, to get a raw answer from the director,” Place said.

Thursday’s hearing is slated to get underway at 2 p.m.

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BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — Veterans, their families, and state and local leaders celebrated Veterans Day across the state of Rhode Island on Tuesday.

In Bristol, the Rhode Island Veterans Home held the State of Rhode Island Official Veterans Day Celebration.

Governor Dan McKee spoke at the ceremony Tuesday afternoon, thanking the 60,000 Rhode Island veterans who bravely fought for our country.

He also remembered his father, who was a World War II veteran.

“Today is a moment to pause and think of the veterans in our lives, and those who are no longer with us,” McKee said. “As I look in front of me, look at these men and women who have given so much to our country in so many ways, I think of my dad, and I think we all have someone in our family that we think of today.”

The governor also announced his administration will make sure there will be more beds available at the veterans home, saying it’ll be a priority in his next budget.

East Providence held its Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Tuesday morning at the Garden of Flags Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park .

Mayor DaSilva, Governor McKee, and other local officials honored local veterans, specifically Corporal Avelino “Chappy” Rose, who died in September at the age of 101.

“His life reminds us that the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism extends far beyond the battlefield. It lives on in those who continue to serve their nation by building stronger, more vibrant communities right here at home,” Chappy’s daughter, Lisa Rose Gordon said. “We honor Chappy’s memory and the legacy of all those who have fallen by striving to live with the same courage, humility, and love for our country and our neighbors.”

Parades were also held in North Kingstown and South Kingstown.