BERKELEY – Senior outside hitter Christina Higgins had 18 kills and Cal's volleyball team played one of its best defensive matches of the season, but No. 19 USC prevailed 25-21, 17-25, 25-19, 25-21 on Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion.

Junior middle blocker Lillian Schonewise added 14 kills and four blocks and freshman opposite hitter Antzela Dempi had a career-high eight kills and four blocks for the Bears (8-11, 0-9 Pac-12), who recorded 77 digs during the match. It was the second-highest dig total of the season for Cal and highest in a four-set match.

Sophomore libero Maddy Kerr and sophomore Nikki Gombar each had 18 digs while junior defensive specialist Sarah Cole added 14. Sophomore setter Alyssa Jensen dished out 45 assists.

The Bears were sharp at the outset, establishing a 14-11 lead in the first set. But the Trojans scored eight of the next 10 points to lead 19-16. After Cal cut the deficit to 20-18, USC scored three in a row to take command.

Cal dominated the second set, taking a big lead behind some strong serving by Kerr. She served six straight points to put the Bears in front, 11-4. The Trojans came back to cut it to 17-13, but the Bears scored three of the next four points, getting kills from Higgins and freshman Ashten Smith-Gooden in the process. Schonewise had three straight kills to help wrap up the set.

The Trojans led throughout the third set, although the Bears were still within three at 14-11. After Cal cut it to 17-13, USC scored three points in a row to establish some breathing room and it cruised through the remainder of the set.

Cal battled back from a big deficit to make the fourth set close. The Trojans established a 9-3 lead, but the Bears came all the way back to take a 17-16 advantage and force a USC timeout. After it was tied at 18-18, the Trojans notched three points in a row. Cal cut it to 21-20 but could get no closer and USC closed out the match.

The Bears will return to action Sunday against No. 17 UCLA at Haas Pavilion. The match will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks.