Riverland’s three-game loss (11-25, 18-25 and 20-25) Wednesday night to Rochester Community and Technical College showed coach Helen Jahr her team is making its strides.

But it also showed the Blue Devils still have work to do.

“We have the talent to win,” Jahr said afterward. “There are a few mistakes, and they are coming at bad times, but we’re learning to be a better team each time we come out on the floor.”

The three games themselves are a reflection of that continued evolution. The Blue Devils were on their heals in game one and some of game two, but by game three they had come around to challenge RCTC.

The Blue Devils, having been picked at the net by RCTC’s fast-paced offense, loaded with slide and quick back schemes, began to anticipate better in game three.

Midway through the game, the Blue Devils held the lead until some of the mistakes came back to nip at the team. RCTC rolled up the match when Mikayla Valvick delivered three kills down the stretch, including the match winner.

Even still, game three showed Riverland isn’t a team to watch the matches pass them by.

“That is optimistic,” Jahr said. “We know they want to win, and there were moments of greatness even in a loss, but we’re giving away games and that has to change.”

Riverland is in the midst of a give and take situation. Their defense, particularly against RCTC’s left-side hitters, came up with the digs.

Kate Krogh had 14 digs, Katie Williams 12 digs and libero Mercedes Miklya had nine.

But that stat shows a hole in Riverland’s net defense.

“The kills on the outside were indicative of a hard digging game,” Jahr said. “But we needed to stop it at the net. We had two ace blocks all night from the left side.”

Offensively, Riverland was led by Stephanie Neumann with eight kills while Kelsey Brink and Krogh each had seven kills.

Setter Krissy Schemmel had 23 set-assists as well as 12 digs on the night.

Riverland is now 2-2 in conference play (5-9 overall) and will be on the road Friday night in Worthington to face Minnesota West.