BERKELEY – Three players recorded eight kills, but California dropped a 10-25, 16-25, 26-28 straight set decision to No. 8 Utah on Sunday afternoon at Haas Pavilion.

Sam Taumoepeau, Makana Meyer and Sydney Lilomaiava posted eight kills apiece to lead the Bears (0-4, 0-4 Pac-12), while Bella Bergmark and Kendall Jensen each tallied two service aces.  

The Utes (4-0, 4-0 Pac-12) got a match-high 15 kills from reigning Pac-12 Player of the Week, Dani Drews.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Utah came out of the gate with pressure on the Bears right away, going on an 11-0 run to take an 11-point lead in the first ended by a Lydia Grote kill for the Bears. Cal wasn't able to recover from there as the Utes cruised in the first set.

Cal scored three straight in the second on kills from Grote and Meyer, and a solo block by Isabel Potter to take a 9-8 lead. Utah answered with five consecutive of their own to regain control. The Bears closed to within 22-16 on a service ace from Jensen and a kill from Potter before Utah scored the final three points of the set.

The Bears jumped out to a 3-0 lead to start the third behind two kills from Taumoepeau and Bergmark's second service ace of the afternoon. Cal stayed in front early in the set on Meyer's fifth kill of the day, taking a 10-7 lead. The Utes answered by taking six of the next seven points for a two-point lead. The Bears didn't go away easily, getting a set point chance, 26-25, but Utah scored the final three points on kills from Drews and Kenzie Koerber.

UP NEXT
The Bears travel to Boulder for a two-match set against Colorado on Friday, Feb. 5 and Sunday, Feb. 7 inside the CU Events Center. First serve on Friday is at 6 p.m. PT.     

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