Lauren Schaefer did some heavy lifting, but she couldn't budge Colorado from the Big 12 basement.

The junior set a personal record for kills, but it was not enough, as the CU women's volleyball team was handed its 12th straight loss Wednesday at the Coors Events Center.

The Buffs, winless since Sept. 8, fell to No. 21 Oklahoma, 30-27, 24-30, 31-29, 30-25.

"We're learning, and I think we're getting better," Schaefer said. "But it's frustrating. I see how hard our team practices and how good of a team we really are and sometimes it just doesn't make it out to the court for a match that really matters."

Schaefer led the Buffs with 24 kills, four blocks and a dig. Junior Alex Buth had a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs, and freshman Schuyler Edelman had 15 kills.

However, the Buffs (5-15, 0-12 Big 12) couldn't convert when it counted against the Sooners (17-5, 9-3).

CU rallied as close as 25-28 in the first game, but couldn't seize the lead.

Colorado brought the match score to 1-1 with a 30-24 second game, thanks in part to the momentum of Schaefer. With Oklahoma leading 20-19, Schaefer made three consecutive kills to give the Buffs an edge they never gave up.

Frustration returned in the third game, however. Colorado and Oklahoma battled to nine ties throughout the closely contested game, but CU's unforced errors swung the game. The Buffs made 10 service errors in the third game alone.

"We were serving at 29-29, and a service error helped them to 30," Buffs head coach Pi'i Aiu said. "We end up losing 31-29. We have to find a way to minimize those mistakes."

Colorado finished the match with 18 total service errors.

Oklahoma controlled the final game of the match start to finish.

The Buffs, last in the Big 12, have played strong through the first three games of each match. Colorado holds a 34-26 record in its first three games this year.

The Buffs, however, are 2-19 in the fourth and fifth games, and they have not won a match in four or five games.

"There's a possibility that some people are a little timid when they get on the court," Schaefer said. "But I really hope that's not the case. You're playing at a major D-I school, so you shouldn't be here if you're playing like that."

The Buffs, one match behind Texas Tech (7-14, 1-11) in the conference standings, have eight more matches to find their first conference win. Colorado hosts No. 5 Texas Saturday at 3 p.m. The Longhorns swept No. 1 Nebraska in Austin Wednesday.

"All I know is we're working hard and I'm really proud of these kids and how they have responded to this season in terms of how we're competing," Aiu said. "I think the opportunity is going to come to turn this around and we have to be ready to take it and be ready to fight."