Grote's Match-High 16 Kills Lead Bears In Loss To Beavers

BERKELEY – Lydia Grote led California with a match-high 16 kills in 23-25, 13-25, 20-25 loss to Oregon State Sunday afternoon at Haas Pavilion.   

It was the fourth straight match with double figure kills for Grote and seventh of the season for the freshman. Katarina Pantovic added six kills and seven digs, while Sam Taumoepeau recorded five kills for the Bears (1-13).

Oregon State (5-7) got 13 kills from Mychael Vernon.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set was tight the entire way, with neither team taking larger than a four-point lead. OSU led 14-10 and forced a Cal timeout, but the Bears scored the next two out of the break on a Pantovic kill and Beaver attack error. An Isabel Potter service ace made the score 16-15, OSU, but Cal couldn't quite get over the top as the Beavers took the set, 25-23.

After the Beavers ran away with the second frame, Cal battled in the third. Two straight Lydia Grote kills gave the Bears an early 5-3 advantage. It was 10-8 after a kill from Sydney Lilomaiava until OSU scored seven of the next eight to go up by four points.

Cal had one last push to tie the score at 19 on a Grote kill, but three straight Beaver points put the set and match away.

UP NEXT
The Bears travel to Tempe for two matches with Arizona State next weekend, beginning with a 2 p.m. PT first serve on Friday, March 12.  

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