<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2YLSgm_0wDHnyKQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2YLSgm_0wDHnyKQ00" width="800" height="450" >PITTSBURGH – California volleyball experienced its toughest test of the 2024 season Friday night in its first matchup with a No. 1 team since 2019, falling to Pitt in straight sets (12-25, 9-25, 10-25) at Fitzgerald Field House. The Golden Bears are now 10-9 (2-5 ACC) on the year.The Panthers (16-1, 6-1) out-hit the Bears .430 to -.048, with reigning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Freshman of the Year Olivia Babcock recording 16 kills (.577). Cal's Ellie Hamm, Peyton DeJardin and Xuemeng (Maggie) Li each led the team with four kills apiece; DeJardin was also one of the Bears' defensive leaders in tandem with libero Gianna Bartalo, with each of them notching seven digs.Pitt took an immediate 2-0 lead to start off the match and held onto it for the rest of the first set, posting two-straight blocks at the end to put Cal away. The first point of the second set went to the Bears, thanks to a block from Hamm and freshman Kate Mansfield, but the Panthers quickly seized control and built a 16-point lead with help from a 14-0 mid-set run, eventually finishing things off with two-consecutive kills.In the final set, Cal kept things competitive early on, taking a 2-1 lead thanks to a kill and a service ace from Li; ultimately, however, another big run for Pitt allowed the home team to break away and close out the night.The Bears head to Dallas for a matchup with No. 12 SMU (13-5, 5-2) Sunday. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m. PT.STAY POSTEDFor complete coverage of Cal volleyball, please follow the Bears on X/Twitter (@CalVolleyball), Instagram (@calvolleyball), Facebook (Cal Volleyball), and TikTok (@calbearsvb).</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Cal Swept By No. 1 Pitt

PITTSBURGH – California volleyball experienced its toughest test of the 2024 season Friday night in its first matchup with a No. 1 team since 2019, falling to Pitt in straight sets (12-25, 9-25, 10-25) at Fitzgerald Field House. The Golden Bears are now 10-9 (2-5 ACC) on the year.