The Riverland volleyball team couldn’t keep up with Rochester Community and Technical College as the Yellowjackets won by scores of 25-16, 25-18, 25-16 in Riverland Gym Wednesday.

RCC (3-10 overall) jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the first game after Cassie Masberg knocked down a couple of early kills, but RCTC (14-1 overall) stormed back to go up 18-12 and RCC couldn’t keep it close the rest of the night.

“We had a new lineup coming into this one and against a good team, it’s tough to stay focused,” RCC head coach Helen Jahr said. “The simplest things can seem difficult.”

RCTC is ranked No. 3 in the nation and it was getting help from two local grads on its front line Wednesday. Abbie Fay, a 2010 Grand Meadow grad, had two block kills to help close out game one and she finished with three kills and one ace serve, while 2010 Blooming Prairie grad Marie Morem finished with three kills.

Fay, a 5-10 outside hitter, is enjoying her time with the Yellowjackets so far.

“I like how its a lot different. It’s faster (than high school) and you can see that when you go to a high school game. I like the team and we bond well together,” she said. “It’s nice to have competition because everyone’s out to beat the good team. It’s nice to have teams that want to beat you and you come back and beat them.”

Morem, a 5-11 middle hitter, was limited in playing time on Wednesday as it was her first volleyball action in a little over a week as she was out with a sickness. She said she’s enjoying the team chemistry on the Yellowjackets and she’s picking up the speed of the college game.

“It’s so much faster and it’s a quicker pace,” Morem said. “The balls you expect to drop in high school don’t drop, so you have to be on your toes at all times and be ready for everything. Don’t ever expect a ball to be an automatic call.”

Morem also enjoys playing for a nationally ranked team.

“It’s so much fun playing for this team. It’s never super-serious, we’re just playing good and having fun,” she said.

Two Blue Devil players recently received MCAC honors — Stephanie Loverink was named MCAC All-Around player of the week Sept. 13 and Mercedes Miklya was chosen defensive player of the week Sept. 7.

Loverink, a Medford grad, had 67 kills (3.2 per game), 126 digs (6 per game) and 13 blocks over a week.

Miklya, a South St. Paul grad, had 38 digs while going 39-for-39 on serves in a win against Western Wisconsin Tech.

RCC stats: Katie Williams, 21 digs; Stephanie Loverink, 5 kills, 11 digs, 3 ace blocks; Danyel Hythecker, 1 ace serve, 6 set assists; Cassie Masberg, 1 ace serve; Robin Arjes, 4 blocks; Kristin Vesel, 5 set assists