Case ends Frontier volleyball season

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.

Six Falcon seniors play final game

HOLDEN - Sherry Webb hoped to have another few days of practice with her six Smith Academy seniors and another few days before writing their farewell letters.

But after the Falcons' 4-1 loss to Oakmont in the state Division 2 semifinals Tuesday at Wachusett Regional, their season is over and it will soon be time for Webb to sit down at her desk.

Late score sends Gateway to soccer final

WORCESTER - As Erika Mason stood on the sideline with her Gateway Regional girls soccer teammates celebrating around her Tuesday, she barely remembered the goal that made her a hero for the second straight game.

Mason scored with 39 seconds left to give the Gators a 2-1 win over Sutton in the state Division 3 semifinals at Foley Stadium.

Fortier, Humphrey take hoop coaching jobs

Jay Fortier is returning to his original home sideline. Claude Humphrey is moving to a new one.

Both are taking over basketball programs this year, with practice beginning on Nov. 30.

Fortier, one of the area's all-time most successful coaches, will coach the Easthampton girls this year, 14 years after leaving the program.

Holyoke Catholic runs to third

NORTHFIELD - The Western Massachusetts girls Division 2 cross country championship Saturday at Northfield Mountain was a display of stamina, speed, balance and confidence on the part of the runners from Mount Greylock, who recorded the lowest team score in any of the day's four races.

Falcons wear down South Hadley

SOUTH HADLEY - For 30 minutes Saturday, the Smith Academy field hockey team did everything it could to try to even the score with South Hadley in the Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament championship.

Finally, Alyssa Woodward scored off a Steph Slysz cross and the Falcons tied the game with 19 minutes, 23 seconds remaining at Mount Holyoke College.

Coach Webb's winning hand

SOUTH HADLEY

Sherry Webb usually has a pretty good poker face regarding her Smith Academy field hockey team each year.

The 36th-year coach hides her true beliefs about her team's potential all through the preseason, regular season and deep into the tournament.

Not this year.