BERKELEY – California was unable to break out in a back-and-forth matchup with the Colorado Buffaloes to fall 3-0 (23-25, 18-25, 23-25) and drop the season series on Wednesday night in Haas Pavilion. The match point was ultimately determined by an overturned call that would have tied things at 24-24 in set 3, but Colorado won a challenge on a hit that was rule originally ruled out.
 
With the loss, the Golden Bears have now dropped four straight to the Buffaloes, dating back to 2016.
 
The Bears (12-12, 4-9 Pac-12) kept pace with the Buffaloes (14-10, 6-7 Pac-12) coming within two points in 2-of-3 sets, but were ultimately plagued by 15 errors and the Buffs' offensive efficiency (.324 attacking percentage) and defense at the net (10.0 total blocks).
 
Leading the Bears offense was sophomore Mima Mirkovic with 10 kills, while also adding eight digs as the team combined for a .248 hitting clip.
 
Preslie Anderson added nine kills and contributed to her Pac-12 leading hitting percentage, by posting a .444 mark during the match.
 
Cal was able to go back and forth with Colorado throughout the first set, before falling 25-23. Despite being outhit 18-16, Cal kept pace by committing fewer service errors in its most efficient set of the night with a .333 hitting percentage.
 
In the second set, the Bears suffered from errant plays collecting eight, while Colorado recorded just three. In addition, Cal had a .121 hit percentage during the set, as compared to the Buffaloes .375.
 
Set 3 began well for the Bears, as they took a 7-3 to open, what eventually became the final set. Colorado tied things at 14-14 to begin another point-to-point battle, but the Buffs eventually took a 21-20 lead to give them a last push of momentum.
 
"The second time around in the conference is always tougher; everyone looks a little different," head coach Jennifer Dorr said. "We just needed to come out with a better sense of urgency to play a really tough Colorado team.
 
"We have another opportunity to get a win in our gym on Friday against Utah," Dorr added. "Seven games left in the season and every single one of them is as important as the next and we've got to dial in."
 
The Bears will continue their homestand on Friday, Nov. 2 against the Utes at 7 p.m. (PT). Cal hopes to sweep Utah for the first time since 2011 after defeating the Utes on Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City.