BERKELEY – Tuesday's end result was something coach Rich Feller is never satisfied with, but the Cal volleyball team may have figured some things out during its Pac-12 Conference opener against No. 8 Stanford.

The Bears matched the Cardinal step for step for the first three sets before the Cardinal finally pulled out a 25-23, 27-25, 20-25, 25-16 victory at Haas Pavilion.

After the first three sets, Cal had scored more total points than Stanford.

“We definitely figured a few things out about our team,” Feller said. “I was let down with the way we finished, but all in all it was very positive for us.”

The Bears (6-6, 0-1 Pac-12) had three hitters register hitting percentages over .300. Sophomore outside hitter Christine Alftin had 13 kills and nine digs while senior opposite hitter Lara Vukasovic also had 13 kills. Senior middle blocker Lillian Schonewise added 11 kills and two blocks.

“We can hold our heads up,” Feller said. “That was some good top-level Pac-12 volleyball. It was fun to watch.”

Cal jumped out to a 5-1 lead to begin the match, forcing a Stanford timeout. The Cardinal came back and ultimately took a 21-18 lead but back-to-back kills by Schonewise trimmed the deficit to 21-20. Stanford freshman Hayley Hodson closed out the set with a kill.

Stanford held a 13-10 lead in the second set but the Bears came back to tie it at 14-14. The teams then traded points throughout the rest of the set. Cal had a 23-22 lead but the Cardinal scored two in a row to push it to set point. The Bears staved off two set points before Stanford polished it off.

The Bears made an improbable comeback in the third set. Stanford jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but Cal then scored five unanswered points of its own to tie it at 5-5. The Cardinal then went up 14-10 but the Bears went on a 12-4 run to lead 22-18. After Stanford cut Cal's deficit to two points, the Bears scored the final three points to capture the set.

Cal had a 9-8 lead in the fourth set but Stanford scored four in a row to make it 12-9. The Cardinal extended its advantage to 18-12 but the Bears notched back-to-back points to cut it to four. But Stanford was able to pull away again to end the match.

“I told the team afterward that teams really need to come in here fearing us,” Feller said. “That's how we played tonight. Stanford is one of the best. If we can play that way against one of the best, it shows what we can do.”

Junior setter Alyssa Jensen had 50 assists and 10 digs while junior libero Maddy Kerr and junior defensive specialist Sabrina Blackwell each had 13 digs.

The Bears continue Pac-12 play Sunday against No. 13 UCLA at Noon at Haas Pavilion. The match will be televised by the Pac-12 Network.