BERKELEY – In a match where defense reigned, new Cal libero Emma Smith ruled the most.

Smith, making her first career start for the Bears, registered 22 digs to help the Golden Bears sweep Arizona State 25-19, 25-20, 25-19 on Friday night at Haas Pavilion.

While both teams' offenses failed to get consistency, Cal (10-4, 1-2 Pac-12) grinded out its first conference victory of the season by diving all over the floor to outlast the Sun Devils. Arizona State actually recorded more digs than the Bears (63-58), but it was Cal that kept key rallies alive with relentless defensive play.

And it was Smith, who entered the match having played in just 13 sets this season, who led the way.

"That was so much fun," Smith said. "It was definitely a confidence boost to get the start. I've been working hard in practice every day. But even if I don't start, I just have to be ready for whatever role I'm in."

Smith matched the 22 digs made by Arizona State libero Halle Harker, who came into the match leading the Pac-12 in digs. Senior Christine Alftin added 12 digs while freshman Mima Mirkovic made 11.

"I thought Emma was really good tonight," Cal head coach Matt McShane said. "It was nice to have her come in and really sort of grab ahold of that position and make it her own."

The Bears, who surpassed their win total from all of last season with Friday's victory, didn't have any player register double-digits in kills but had five players with at least six. Senior Antzela Dempi led the way with nine kills while junior Carmen Annevelink added eight at a .400 hitting percentage.

Altin, Mirkovic and freshman Preslie Anderson each added six kills, while Anderson and Dempi each had four blocks.

"We spent the last three or four days working really hard on defense and blocking, and it really paid off tonight," McShane said. "We are a blue collar, academic team. We have all the smartest kids on the planet, but we are also working really hard at what we are doing."

Friday also marked the earliest point in the conference season the Bears have notched their first Pac-12 victory since 2013.

"I think every game is a winnable match for us," Smith said. "We have to come out every night and play our game. If we do that, I think we will be successful."

Cal returns to the court Sunday against Arizona at 11 a.m. The Bears will be hosting #SavStrong Day, in which the Cal volleyball community will show its support for redshirt sophomore Savannah Rennie, who is fighting Non-Hodgkin Post-Transplant Lymphoma. The match also airs on the Pac-12 Networks.