MALIBU -- In something that has become a bit of a pattern this season, No. 12 Cal beach volleyball followed up an emotional, season-defining victory, with a gutting, razor-thin defeat.

A day after a taking down No. 9 Long Beach State in three thrilling sets, Cal came literally as close as possible to upending No. 7 Cal Poly-- losing by the minimum two points in a decisive third set.

With the score tied 2-2 after victories by the No. 5 and No. 3 pairs but losses at the No. 1s and No. 2s, the stage was set for the all-important No. 4 match. Cal 4s Mia Merino and Abby Waldburger spit their first two sets, sending the match-determining dual to the third set. Merino and Waldburger could not quite get the job done, battling Cal Poly tooth and nail but coming up just two points short to drop the set, 15-13.

Head coach Meagan Owusu was frustrated the her team could not come away with the win but saw the spirited fight as yet another example of how close Cal is to competing against collegiate beach volleyball's top tier of teams.

"This weekend is another reminder of what we are capable of," said Owusu. "While close loses are a hard pill to swallow, there are so many valuable lessons to be learned."

The loss was the third 3-2 defeat Cal has taken against a top-10 opponent this year. The Bears twice fell to No. 6 Hawaii earlier in the year. Those two losses came down to dropped third sets as well.

Later in the day, the Bears fought but could not prevail against No. 5 Pepperdine, as the Waves bested the Bears 4-1. No. 5 pair Alexia Inman and Madison Dueck won Cal's only point of the dual.

"Alexia and Madi played really well this entire weekend," said Owusu. "They weren't perfect but they were confident and aggressive. They were an intimidating team to face and I am very proud of their performances"

The Pepperdine clash was closer than the final score would suggest. Cal No. 2 pair Maddie Micheletti and Caroline Schafer and No. 3 pair Grace Campbell and Iya Lindahl both took their matches to three sets.

Cal will not have to wait long for a chance as redemption against Cal Poly. The two teams play again next Saturday. Cal will also get a chance to complete a season sweep archrival No. 20 Stanford.

"We have our eyes set on Saturday" said Owusu. "We will see Stanford for a third time and Cal Poly for a second. We have to come ready to battle and compete at a high level."

After the Cal Poly handed the Bears a gutting defeat, Cal will surely be looking forward to return the favor.

No. 7 Cal Poly 3, No. 12 Cal 2
1: Crissy Jones-Tia Mirica (CP) def. Jordan Polo/Mima Mirkovic, 21-15, 21-15
2: Emily Sonny-Macy Gordon (CP) def. Caroline Schafer/Maddie Micheletti, 21-13, 21-17
3: Iya Lindahl-Grace Campbell (CAL) def. Jayelin Lombard-Kat Wright, 21-17, 21-18
4: Vanessa Roscoe-Brayden Gruenewald (CP) def. Abby Waldburger-Mia Merino, 23-21, 14-21, 15-13
5: Madison Dueck-Alexis Inman (CAL) def. Delaney Peranich-Sam Manley, 21-15, 21-16

No. 5  Pepperdine 4, No. 12 Cal 1
1: Brook Bauer-Heidi Dyer (PEPP) def. Jordan Polo-Mima Mirkovic, 21-18, 21-16
2: Gigi Hernandez-Deahna Kraft (PEPP) def. Caroline Schafer-Maddie Micheletti, 21-18, 18-21, 15-7
3: Alexis Filippone-Skylar Caputo (PEPP) def. Iya Lindahl-Grace Campbell, 17-21, 21-17, 15-10
4: Maddie Dilfer-Nikki Lyons (PEPP) def. Abby Waldburger-Mia Merino, 22-20, 21-10
5: Madison Dueck-Alexia Inman (CAL) def. Simone Priebe-Katie Gavin, 22-20, 15-21, 15-13