BARBERTON - To put it simply, Springfield just didn't have it in Wednesday's Division III regional semifinal at Barberton High School.

Defending state runner-up Gates Mills Gilmour Academy, winners over the Tigers in three in last year's regional semifinal, was again victorious with a 25-14, 25-13, 25-17 decision.

To illustrate just how lopsided the match was, Springfield's only lead of the night came when the Lancers thought the up official had granted them a timeout before a Tiger serve. With the entire Lancer team off the floor, the serve hit the floor and the Tigers led 4-3.

The third game was also the only other time where the Tigers pulled even with the sixth-ranked Lancers, who improved to 24-2.

It was just that kind of night.

"We came out flat and you can't do that against a good ball club like that," Springfield coach Bill Knight said.

Knight said he had no idea why the Tigers played the way they did.

"They were loose coming into this game," Knight said. "I'm really at a loss for words. That said, I don't want to criticize the girls because 22-2 is still a very great season."

Sixth-ranked Gilmour - a winner over many Cleveland-area volleyball heavyweights this season including Salem's Division II regional semifinal opponent Walsh Jesuit - had a tough time getting on its game early in the match.

The opportunity was there for Springfield, but the Tigers matched the Lancers with fundamental errors they could not overcome.

"That was not us tonight," Springfield senior Ashley Davis said. "I'm actually a little angry because it really looks like we were blown out and that should not have happened."

The Lancers were led by senior middle hitter Mary Kramer who posted 13 kills, 10 digs and four aces. She also had a big hand in giving Lancer coach Jeff Gryzbowski his 100th career win as she has started in every one of those victories.

"One hundred is nice, but I want 103," said Gryzbowski, referencing how many matches it would take to win a state title.

His Lancers were state runner-ups last season in Div. III, but this season's team was significantly younger than that one as it graduated six seniors from that team.

"We weren't nervous," Springfield setter Kallie Rogers said. "I do think though that knowing that they were state-runner up last year got into our heads a little bit."

Gryzbowski thought Springfield had played a better match last season and the Tigers agreed.

"We played them closer last year," Davis said.

Davis sparked the Tigers with six kills and 10 digs. Rogers had 18 assists, 10 digs and two aces. Andria Lyons chipped in 13 digs. Larissa Santangelo had four kills and three blocks.

The Lancers got 33 assists from Brittany Link, 16 digs from Sarah Siediak and six kills from Meghan Kramer.

The Lancers will play Smithville for the regional title on Saturday afternoon.

As for Springfield, they Tigers are left to think about what could have been.

"It was an amazing season, but it's sad the way it ended," Davis said.