ASHLAND - Another state semifinal appearance, another frustrating loss for the Frontier regional girls volleyball team.

The Red Hawks struggled with unforced errors and missed services, and Joseph Case High School took advantage in a 23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 26-24 victory in the State Division 3 Tournament on Wednesday night at Ashland High School.

"At some points we showed our age, but I think we're going to be better for this," said Frontier coach Sean MacDonald, whose squad ended its season at 21-1. "... We'll be back here next year."

The Cardinals (21-2) move on to the state championship match Saturday against Notre Dame Academy of Tyngsboro (15-11), a 3-1 winner over Mount Alvernia in Wednesday's other semifinal.

The Red Hawks trailed throughout the early stages of its first game as Shannon Orton established her presence at the net for Case with several great hits and a big block.

The Cardinals built their lead as high as 11-6 before Frontier began coming back. Marie Wheeler's five-point service run, which included an ace, gave the Hawks their first lead at 14-13.

Case quickly regained the lead, but Frontier rallied again and took the lead for good at 19-18, after a five point service run by Courtney Parent that included two aces. Cassidy Stankowski finished it off with a blast off a double block that was not returned.

The Cardinals rebounded with a solid effort to win the second game, which featured four lead changes. After getting the early advantage, Case rallied from 7-4 and 12-11 deficits to take control after Caitlin Vandenburgh's two service aces and strong play at the net by Briana Sousa and Jenn Cabral.

Frontier tried to rally, but could only get as close as 21-18 before Orton ripped a winner and the Hawks committed three unforced errors late.

Case kept the momentum going in the third game as Megan Armburg served for four points to make it 10-5. Frontier tied the score 11-11 with help from a kill and a beautifully-timed tip by Amanda Dacyczyn.

The Hawks took a 17-15 lead after three serves by Marie Wheeler, and they still led 18-17. Case took the lead for good at 20-19, and Kayla Prior served out the game.

Frontier appeared primed to send the match to a fifth game, grabbing a 6-5 lead in the fourth.

Case stayed within reach behind the play of Cabral and Kristen Robillard, and finally reclaimed the lead at 16-15. Case appeared to take control at 21-17, but Stankowski's hits and a few unforced errors by the Cardinals helped the Hawks pull even at 22-22. Frontier took a 24-23 lead, but two unforced errors gave it back to Case, and Cabral ended it with a tip that was not returned. Vandenburgh led the Cardinals with a dozen kills and 16 digs. Orton registered 10 kills and three blocks, Cabral had nine kills and 21 digs, and Robillard dished out 29 assists.

Stankowski finished with a match-high 27 kills to go along with 21 digs and an ace. Holly DeWitt added eight kills, 10 digs and an ace, and Kendra Ouimette totaled 23 digs.