Bears Host No. 16 Georgia Tech, Clemson

Cal is set to face its sixth ranked opponent in its past seven games.

VB11/6/2024 4:30 PM | By: Cal Athletics

Cal Kicks Off 4-Game Homestand This Week

 California volleyball returns home this week for the start of a four-match homestand, first welcoming No. 16 Georgia Tech – Cal’s sixth ranked opponent in its past seven games – to Haas Pavilion Friday at 7 p.m. PT before facing Clemson the next day at 7 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ACCNX.
 
The Golden Bears (10-14, 2-10 ACC) went on the road last weekend and fell to No. 23 Florida State in three sets (25-23, 25-19, 25-18), then lost to Miami in three (25-16, 25-21, 25-17).
 
Vs. No. 16 Georgia Tech
Last Meeting: Dec. 12, 2003 (@ Honolulu, Hawai’i – NCAA Regional Semifinal; Georgia Tech won 3-1)
All-Time Record: Georgia Tech leads 1-0
Current Streak: Georgia Tech won last 1
 
The Yellow Jackets (17-4, 9-3) have won their last seven games and currently rank second in the ACC with 15.15 digs per set on the year, averaging 15.81 in ACC play; they are also a top-50 team nationally in assists per set with an average of 12.58. Their top offensive weapons are senior outside hitters Bianca Bertolino and Tamara Otene, who were both named Volleyball Magazine All-America Honorable Mentions last year; Bertolino was also selected as an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Honorable Mention and currently leads Georgia Tech with 3.49 kills per set on 272 kills while also averaging 0.56 aces per set. Defensively, junior libero Sofia Velez paces the team with 3.91 digs per set, while junior middle blocker Liv Mogridge has recorded a team-high 60 stops on the year (0.88 blocks per set).
 
Vs. Clemson
Last Meeting: N/A
All-Time Record: 0-0
Current Streak: N/A
 
The Tigers (8-15, 0-12) are still looking for their first conference win, averaging just 11.35 kills per set; however, Clemson’s defense is among the best in the ACC with a torrid digs-per-set pace of 16.31 that ranks 42nd among all Division I teams. Starting libero Devan Taylor is one of the top players in Tigers history with 1,663 career digs; she currently ranks second in the ACC with 4.51 digs per set and leads the conference with 379 on the year, including a 34-dig performance against Wofford in September. Middle hitter Kate Hansen, a…