PHOENIX, AZ – NJIT men's volleyball fell at #12 Grand Canyon in straight sets, 27-25, 25-23 and 25-14 on Thursday night at Antelope Arena.

The Highlanders, who drop to 0-6 on the young season, have played four-out-of-six teams that were ranked in the top 12, including #2 Long Beach State, #4 UCLA, and #11 Cal State Northridge.

Raymond Kowalski led NJIT in three categories: kills (9), blocks (4) and aces (2) with teammate Alvaro Gimeno. Junior Kowalski also produced five digs and freshman Gimeno recording seven kills and two blocks.  Tyler Brandow added six kills.

Setter Ricardo Whitaker posted 23 assists and libero Shannon Heckman made a team-high six digs.

The Highlanders led the service ace category with six in the match to the Antelopes two.

Grand Canyon (6-1) was led by Cody Williams who tallied a game-high 10 kills and Ashton King with a game-high five blocks. Puna Kaniho added a game-high 29 assists and Shalev Saada a game-high seven digs.

The first and second sets were close, but both went in favor of the Antelopes.

The Highlanders had the 25-24 advantage in the first set before Grand Canyon picked up the last three points to win the set.

The second set went at a similar pace with neither team leading by more than three points at a time. 

Grand Canyon pulled away winning the third by 11 points to take the win.

The Highlanders continue play in Phoenix, playing UC Irvine Friday night at 6pm (PT)/8pm (ET).