BERKELEY - Senior Antzela Dempi registered 11 kills and four service aces but the Cal volleyball team fell to UC Irvine 25-21, 25-21, 12-25, 25-19 in its season-opener on Friday night at the Molten Classic at Haas Pavilion.

Freshman Mima Mirkovic added nine kills and 11 digs in her collegiate debut while senior middle blocker Caihla Petiprin had eight kills and three blocks. Senior outside hitter Christine Alftin added eight kills and 10 digs.

The Bears kept each set they lost close, and out-hit and out-blocked the Anteaters for the match. But UC Irvine scored points at crucial times to pull out the victory.

"This was a good test for us," Cal first-year head coach Matt McShane said. "Irvine is a skilled team with a few good attackers. We hit better than we did and we blocked better, but they did better in one stat. They won the match."

Dempi added four blocks for the Bears while junior Carmen Annevelink had six kills. Freshman middle blocker Preslie Anderson had five kills and four blocks.

"Antzela has worked incredibly hard in the weight room and on the court to get stronger and be mentally tougher," McShane said. "She has become more skilled. It's absolutely paying off."

Cal had an inexperienced lineup in its season-opener, as Mirkovic and Anderson started while fellow freshman Isabel Potter played half the time at setter in the Bears' 6-2 offense. Dempi only played in three matches last year and starting middle blocker Caihla Petiprin only saw time in 30 sets. Annevelink played in only 26 sets.

"Irvine probably had quite a few more players that are used to being out on the court," McShane said. "You have to get out and play. If you are a little more consistent than your opponent, you are probably going to win. We're going to smooth things out."

The Bears continue play in the Molten Classic on Saturday against Loyola Chicago and Seattle.