Bears Battle, Fall To Wildcats In Four

BERKELEY – Bella Bergmark tied a career-high with 12 kills but California volleyball fell 20-25, 25-18, 23-25, 23-25, to Arizona Friday night at Haas Pavilion.

Katie Smoot added 13 kills and Leah Schmidt recorded nine for the Bears (7-7, 0-3 Pac-12).

Gabby Bellizzi made her first appearance of the season and tallied a team best 15 digs for California.

Merle Weidt recorded a match-high 16 kills for the Wildcats (11-3, 3-0 Pac-12).

How It Happened:
After the Wildcats took the first frame, Cal battled back in the second to even the match at one set a piece. The Bears scored six straight to turn a 7-6 lead into a 12-6 advantage behind a Sydney Lilomaiava kill and three Arizona attack errors. UA got to within four at 20-16, but another kill from Lilomaiava and two straight from Bergmark made it 23-17 as Cal closed out the set.

The Bears led 19-15 in the third after a kill from Mima Mirkovic, however, Arizona scored eight of the next 10 points to make it 23-21 and ended the set on back-to-back Weidt kills.

Cal once again led early in the fourth frame before two Arizona runs of four straight points put the Cats on top, 20-19. The Bears answered, tying the set at 21-all on a Schmidt kill and again at 22 apiece on an Arizona service error. Emery Herman registered a Wildcat kill and Cal followed with an attack error as UA was able to escape with a second straight 25-23 win in the set to finish off the match.

Up Next: The Bears are back in Haas Pavilion on Sunday, Oct. 3 for a 12 noon first serve against Arizona State.   

STAY POSTED
For complete coverage of Cal volleyball, please follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalVolleyball), Instagram (@calvolleyball) and Facebook (Cal Volleyball).