BERKELEY – Junior Christine Alftin had 11 kills and senior Jenelle Jordan added six kills and two blocks but the Cal volleyball team fell to USC 26-24, 25-12, 25-21 on Saturday.

Freshman Maddie Haynes had seven kills for the Bears (9-17, 3-13 Pac-12) and fellow freshman Bailee Huizenga added six kills.

Sophomore setter Mackenzie Albrecht had 35 assists and seven digs in her second straight start for injured senior Alyssa Jensen.

The Bears started the match strongly, using a six-point run to erase a 14-11 deficit to lead 17-14. The Trojans countered with four points in a row of their own to go back in front, and it stayed close until Cal scored back-to-back points on kills by Jordan to reach set point. But once again USC answered, scoring the next four points to close out the set.

After losing the second set soundly, Cal once again came out strongly in the third. Freshman Savannah Rennie's kill gave the Bears a 10-6 lead, and Cal still led later 16-15. But USC scored the next five points in succession and went on to the victory.
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The Bears will return to action Friday at No. 25 Arizona.