SEATTLE – Senior Antzela Dempi had 16 kills and libero Amanda Kirtley registered a season-high 14 digs but the Cal volleyball team fell to No. 13 Washington 25-16, 25-16, 25-23 on Thursday night at Alaska Airlines Arena.

Freshman Mima Mirkovic added six kills and six digs for the Bears (13-13, 4-11 Pac-12) while freshman Preslie Anderson had three blocks.

Cal held an early lead in each set, and kept it for most of the third. The Bears led as late as 22-19 in the third set before the Huskies scored five in a row to reach match point. Cal staved off one match point before Washington closed it out.

"We can be very, very good but we need to be more consistent," Cal head coach Matt McShane said. "We keep improving. I'm proud of the way we played. For us to go on the road and fight all the way to the end is admirable."

Kirtley finished one dig short of her career-high while Dempi registered her most kills in a match since putting down a career-high 21 on Sept. 9 against Louisiana.

The Bears played without starting outside hitter/libero Christine Alftin and starting setter Mackenzie Albrecht, who are each captains who missed the match because of injuries.

Cal returns to action Friday night at Washington State at 7 p.m.