UPDATE: Avinash with the recap here.

The Bears opened the tournament against North Carolina, and didn't look good at all, losing 17-25, 25-16, 25-23, 17-25, 9-15. All the problems Cal has struggled with all season came home to roost on Thursday night--average digging, poor passing to set up the setting, and when passing was good, poor setting to set up the kills. Cal was outblocked by a team that was generally much smaller than them and North Carolina played with spirit and fire. Carli Lloyd was missed all season, and definitely tonight--her fundamentals and leadership would've turned this team into national champion contenders. Instead they'll have to retool and rebuild for next year.

This is a bittersweet ending for Tarah Murrey, who will finish her career at Cal with one of the most storied careers in Cal volleyball history. Murrey was unstoppable last season as Lloyd's partner-in-crime, and she still had some dominant stretches despite less-than-wonderful passing to lead Cal to a top ten finish this season and (briefly) a number one ranking.

Rich Feller and Cal have a lot of retooling to do before 2012. There's a lot of talent coming back, but the fundamentals definitely need to improve, and someone will have to lead these Bears.

Follow Cal volleyball on Twitter and Facebook. GO BEARS!

Our third-ranked volleyball team hosts its final home game tonight.  In case things go south in a hurry in that other matchup across the bay, you can always watch the Bears battle the 15th-ranked Ducks!

Saturday, Nov. 19
7 p.m. - No. 3 Cal (25-4, 15-4 Pac-12) vs. No. 15 Oregon (18-8, 11-7 Pac-12)
Haas Pavilion - Berkeley
Series Record vs. the Ducks: 50-15
Last Meeting: W, 3-0 (10/8/11)
Coverage: Live Video, Twitter, GameTracker
Promotions: Free Pre-Match Chalk Talk With Rich Feller; Senior Night; Post-Match Autographs

Follow along with one of the three usual methods: GameTracker, Twitter, and the live stream.

This weekend is the final pair of home matches for our fourth-ranked women's volleyball team.  Unfortunately, tomorrow's match conflicts with the Big Game, but that doesn't mean you can't watch tonight's match!

Friday, Nov. 18
7 p.m. - No. 3 Cal (25-4, 15-4 Pac-12) vs. Oregon State (17-10, 6-12 Pac-12)
Haas Pavilion - Berkeley
Series Record vs. the Beavers: 42-17
Last Meeting: W, 3-1 (10/9/11)
Coverage: Live Video, Twitter, GameTracker
Promotion: Post-Match Autographs

Follow the game using one of the three usual methods: GameTracker, Twitter, and the free live stream.

The Bears head to Seattle tonight to take on the 11th-ranked Huskies.  Every win is crucial for the Bears from this point forward, as they have no margin for error in their quest for a Pac-12 title.

Saturday, Nov. 12
7 p.m. - No. 5 Cal (23-4, 13-4 Pac-12) at No. 11 Washington (18-6, 10-6 Pac-12)
Alaska Airlines Arena - Seattle
Series Record vs. the Huskies: 28-29
Last Meeting: W, 3-1 (10/14/11)
Coverage: GameTracker, Twitter, Free Live Video

You can follow the game via the three usual methods: GameTracker, Twitter, or the free stream from UW.  Or, if you happen to be in the Pacific Northwest, you can watch the game on television via Root Sports.

If you want to revel in Cal's 23-6 football victory over Oregon State today, head on over to the post game victory thread.

The game starts at 6 PM tonight.  Yes, a rare Thursday night game.  But it's out in Utah, so when you factor in time zones and whatnot, it's actually starting Friday night in Salt Lake City.  More on the matchup:

Cal vs. Utah - Take One
The Bears were victorious over the Utes in the first meeting of the year - a 3-0 win at Haas Pavilion on Sept. 17. In set one, California dominated Utah, out hitting the Utes .536 to .000 to take the set, 25-9. In this set, Tarah Murrey had a set-high eight kills, Elly Barrett had 14 assists and Kat Brown added three blocks. Set two was a much closer game, as Utah opened with a slight lead; however, Cal battled back and regained the lead early on. Even so, the Utes would not back off, never letting the gap exceed four points, until the set point, when the Bears won 25-20. Christina Higgins had the final two kills to give the Bears the second set. The third and final set was the closest of the three. While the set remained close throughout, after the initial opening point, the Bears were able to keep hold of the lead until a kill by the Utes tied the score at 23-23. Utah pulled ahead with a double stuff on a Murrey swing, but Johnson and Brown answered back with a double block of their own on the very next play. This would give Cal the momentum it needed to power through and take the final set, 26-24. Overall, the Utes out blocked the Bears 9-6, but California's hitting was no match for Utah, which ultimately led to Cal's victory. 

So, how can you follow along with this big matchup?  There are a few ways:

1.  Gametracker.

2.  Twitter

3.  Online streaming video via Utah Athletics Website

Thanks to the Utah Athletics Website for streaming the game.  As it is an away game, Cal does not stream it.  So, this should be a big matchup between two tough teams.  Follow along and put your thoughts in the comments.  GO BEARS!!!

Note: No open thread tonight for the women's basketball exhibition game because there isn't a stream available

Last night didn't go exactly as planned, as the Bears lost to UCLA. Tonight the Bears host fourth-ranked USC, who comes off a loss to Stanford last night.

Saturday, Oct. 29

7 p.m. - No. 2 Cal (21-2, 11-2 Pac-12) vs. No. 4 USC (17-3, 12-1 Pac-12)
Haas Pavilion - Berkeley
Series Record vs. the Trojans: 11-45
Last Meeting: L, 3-0 (9/23/11)
Coverage: GameTracker, Twitter, Video, FSN (Tape Delay), Live Chat

Promotions:
•Halloween at Haas: All kids 12th grade and below receive $3 admission on the night of the match and are invited to pre-match Halloween activities (costume contest, Halloween candy and crafts) from 6-6:45 p.m.
•Pre-Match Chalk Talk: Hear Coach Feller speak, answer questions from 6:20-6:35 p.m. in the Club Room
•Post-Match Autographs

You can follow along using one of the three tried-and-true methods: GameTracker, Twitter, or streaming.  OR you can watch it televised on Fox Sports Net! Go Bears!

It's redemption weekend for our women's volleyball team.  Last month they suffered consecutive defeats (the only losses of the season) on the road at UCLA and USC.  This weekend: the LA schools come to Haas.

7 p.m. - No. 2 Cal (21-2, 11-2 Pac-12) vs. No. 6 UCLA (18-3, 11-2 Pac-12)
Haas Pavilion - Berkeley
Series Record vs. the Bruins: 6-53
Last Meeting: L, 3-1 (9/24/11)
Coverage: GameTracker, Twitter, Video, Live Chat

We have the usual three-headed monster of coverage: GameTracker, Twitter, and streaming.

Let this be the first of many triumphs over the Southern California schools this weekend! Go Bears!

Our second-ranked volleyball team visits Arizona this evening.  The Bears swept Arizona 3-0 earlier this season.

7 p.m. - No. 2 Cal (19-2, 9-2 Pac-12) vs. Arizona (13-6, 5-5 Pac-12)
McKale Center - Tucson, Ariz.
Series Record vs. the Wildcats: 19-34
Last Meeting: W, 3-0 (9/30/11)
Coverage: GameTracker, Twitter, Video

You can follow the game via GameTracker, Twitter, and free streaming video.

P.S.  Don't forget to vote for Cal's Tarah Murrey for the Lowe's Senior Class Award!