A youth movement has left the Riverland women’s basketball team with a core that will have plenty of room to grow as the season moves along this year.

RCC returns just two players from last year’s team that went 23-7 overall — guards Mandy May, a sophomore from Randolph who averaged 6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.4 steals per game last year, and Gretchen Hebrink of Austin.

“The speed of the game is difficult for players right now,” RCC head coach Suzy Hebrink, who is entering her 12th season at the helm, said. “They’re coming along, there’s just a lot of different things we’re working on.”

Krista Viehauser, a forward from Austin, and Joni Lillo, a guard from St. Clair, lead the list of newcomers for the Blue Devils. Lillo was a 1,000 point scorer in high school and Viehauser averaged 10.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game for the Packers last season.

“Krista’s the type of player that gave us a lot of trouble over the past years. She’s quick and she gets block to block well. She’s a good defender and she can step out and hit the three-point shot,” Hebrink said. “(Joni) can definitely shoot the ball, we just need to get her more looks.”

The Blue Devils will get a boost from Marina Swanson, Kelsey Brink, and Danyel Hythecker in the post. Brooke Rosenstiel of Mankato West and Holly Waltz of Austin will chip in at guard.

Waltz played for RCC two years ago and is back after a year away from basketball.

“Holly causes chaos defensively and she’s quick to the loose ball,” Hebrink said.

Hebrink hopes the Blue Devils can find some balance in their scoring to go along with Viehauser and Lillo’s firepower. Right now, her squad is picking up the new offense and working on consistency.

“Our movement without the ball is not great by any means and those are just bad habits,” she said. “We look to improve a lot. At times we look exceptionally good and at times we look exceptionally poor.”

RCC lost returning guard Krissy Schemmel for the season when she injured her knee before the season. She will be red-shirted and may return next season.

The Blue Devils (1-1 overall) travel to NIACC Tuesday for a 6 p.m. game and they will host their alumni game Saturday at 3 p.m.

Riverland will host Luther JV Monday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.