Taumoepeau Sets Career-High In Colorado

BOULDER, Colo. – California battled to the very last point before dropping a straight set decision to Colorado 17-25, 21-25, 23-25 Sunday afternoon at the CU Events Center.

Missing several starters, the Bears were led by a match best 12 kills by Sydney Lilomaiava and a new career-high 11 kills from Sam Taumoepeau. Tara DeSa added a match best 17 digs for Cal (7-22, 0-18 Pac-12).

Jill Schneggenburger tallied a team-high 11 kills for the Buffaloes (15-12, 6-12 Pac-12). 

How It Happened:
Colorado jumped out to a 12-5 lead early in the first until the Bears scored four of the next five points to pull within four at 13-9. The Buffs answered, scoring four straight, before Cal got within five at 22-17 on a Taumoepeau kill. The home team was able to finish off the first by scoring the final three points.

The Bears used a 4-1 run to tie the second set at 9-9 with a service ace from Annalea Maeder and a kill by Lilomaiava. Cal took its first lead of the day behind a Lydia Grote kill and CU attack error at 17-16, but the Buffs answered with five straight points to take the second set and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Cal started fast in the third, taking a 5-0 advantage as Colorado used a timeout. The break worked for the Buffs, as they scored 11 of the next 14 for an 11-8 lead. As they had all match, the Bears battled and scored three consecutive points, all on Lilomaiava kills to take the lead again, 17-16. Tied at 22-all, the Bears scored the next point on a Colorado error, however the final three points went to the Buffs as they closed out the set and the match.

Up Next: The Bears travel to UCLA for a 12 noon first serve against the Bruins on Wednesday, Nov. 24 at Pauley Pavilion.

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