BOULDER, Colo. – The Cal volleyball team had several set points and staved off a handful of others in a pivotal second set Friday, but ultimately fell to Colorado 25-22, 36-34, 17-25, 25-17 at the Coors Events Center.

Sophomore outside hitter Christine Alftin registered a career-high 17 kills and added 14 digs for the Bears (6-12, 0-7 Pac-12) while senior opposite hitter Lara Vukasovic added 17 kills as well.

Despite losing each of the first two sets, the Bears played the Buffs tight and were in position to win each. Cal led 15-12 in the first set before Colorado scored seven of the next nine points to establish a 19-17 advantage. But kills by Alftin and junior middle blocker Jenelle Jordan tied it up at 19-19. With the set tied 20-20, Colorado registered back-to-back kills and went on to close out the set.

The Bears and Buffs hooked up to play an epic second set, which featured a plethora of lead changes and several set points by both teams. The Buffaloes finally closed it out by scoring two straight points after the score was tied at 34-34.

Despite the demoralizing loss in the second set, the Bears came out smoking in the third set, racing out to a 10-3 advantage. The Buffaloes battled back with six points in a row to cut their deficit to one, but Cal held steady, ultimately increasing its lead back to 15-11. After Colorado trimmed the lead to 17-14, Alftin came up with a kill and senior middle blocker Lillian Schonewise recorded three blocks in a row to push the Bears' lead back to 21-14. Cal went on to easily close out the set.

The fourth set was close early on, but Colorado pulled away and led comfortably for the rest of th set.

Schonewise finished with 12 kills and four blocks for the Bears. Freshman setter Mackenzie Albrecht, getting her first career start in place of injured junior Alyssa Jensen, had 54 assists and 13 digs. Junior libero Maddy Kerr had 17 digs.

The Bears return to action Sunday at Utah at 11 a.m. PT.

A complete recap will follow.