MONTICELLO | Although Clark fell short of its goal to get to the Class 3A Twin Lakes Regional final, the young Pioneers gained valuable experience on Saturday against Frankfort.

Frankfort (26-10) eliminated the Pioneers (10-19) in three games, 25-13, 25-13 and 25-15, in the second semifinal match.

"We're going to build on this," Clark coach Stephanie Ihnat said.

Clark jumped to a 6-2 lead in Game 2, but couldn't sustain the momentum as Frankfort scored 11 of the next 12 points to take a 13-7 lead and never looked back.

"After we get a couple points, we usually get into a comfort zone," sophomore Katie Kruszynski said. "After they'd get a couple points, we would get down. I think it was just the lack of experience that put us in that position the way they were hitting."

Clark took a brief early lead in Game 3, but Frankfort's power hitting was too strong against the Pioneers' defensive alignment.

"We just weren't able to get it done today," Ihnat said. "We were a little intimidated.

"There's only two girls out there with any experience from last year -- Emily (Curosh) and Katie."

Kruszynski finished with four kills and an ace, while the junior Curosh had four digs and was 8-of-8 serving with an ace.

Clark had no seniors in the rotation, and Curosh is already looking forward to next year.

"We have all the girls coming back next year, and now they know what it's like to play against these harder teams," she said. "They know what a higher level and a faster pace it is. Next year, hopefully, everyone comes back, and we can really show everyone we deserve to be at regionals."

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Class 3A Twin Lakes Regional

Semifinals

Frankfort 25-25-25, Clark 13-13-15

The Pioneers' Katie Kruszynski had four kills and an ace.