Smithfield, R.I. – The NJIT women's volleyball team opened up America East play on Friday night, falling in three sets to Bryant. The Highlanders hung tough in the opening set before the Bulldogs controlled sets two and three to take the match.

NJIT and Bryant were neck-and-neck through the opening points of the match, as a Mariana Cova ace pulled the Highlanders within two halfway through the set, 15-13. Later in the set, NJIT pulled within one after consecutive attack errors from Bryant. However, the hosts would rally for four straight points to aid their momentum towards a set one victory.

Set two went similarly as the first, with the two sides hanging tough with one another through the first half of the frame. Bryant once again was able to piece scoring runs together late and pull out the set two win. The Bulldogs' momentum carried into the decisive third set as they controlled play en route to the straight sets win.

Up Next
The Highlanders return to Newark on Sunday afternoon as they take on UMBC at 3 p.m. inside the Wellness and Events Center.