Cal Forces No. 6 Oregon To Five Sets

 BERKELEY – California volleyball put up its fiercest fight yet against a top-10 opponent this season, taking No. 6 Oregon to five sets at Haas Pavilion on Saturday. The Golden Bears (15-12, 4-12 Pac-12) left everything out on the court against the Ducks (22-5, 12-4), coming within just two points of the upset before the visitors sealed the 3-2 win.
 
Senior libero Tara DeSa was a major factor in Cal’s defensive effort, tying her career high of 32 digs (one shy of the school record) and notching an ace. Freshman Maggie Li once again led the Bears with 15 kills and a match high three aces, while junior Annalea Maeder recorded her 10th double-double of the year with 38 assists and 12 digs.
 
The first set was arguably the most competitive of the match, with the two teams finding themselves tied no fewer than 16 times. Cal recorded four streaks of three-or-more points to Oregon’s three – despite the Ducks playing consistent defense and taking a late 23-22 lead, the Bears scored their next three points off two Oregon errors and ace number two from Li to earn a 1-0 advantage, 25-22.
 
Oregon returned fire with a vengeance in set two, hitting .370 and holding Cal to -.061 on the way to a 25-12 win to even up the match at 1-1, but Li came out swinging to start the third with a decisive kill to give Cal a lead that they never relinquished. A quick three-point run courtesy of one kill and one block apiece from sophomores Sophie Scott and Peyton DeJardin increased the score to 4-1; shortly…