The Riverland Community College volleyball team picked up its play in the third set against Minnesota West, but it wasn’t able to keep things going as it lost to the Bluejays by scores of 25-13, 25-18, 27-25 in Riverland Gym Wednesday.

The Blue Devils (1-6 overall, 1-3 MCAC) led the final set 25-24, but they couldn’t get the key point as West (3-1 overall, 2-1 MCAC) scored the last three points of the match. Owatonna grad Elly Buck, who had six kills and nine digs for RCC, said the Blue Devils were able to change their fortune in the third set by making some changes.

“We switched things up with our hitters and setters and then we were able to focus more on playing volleyball instead of thinking about mistakes,” Buck said.

LeRoy-Ostrander grad Sam Siskow had eight kills and 11 digs for RCC, which wasn’t able to get a lot of offensive attacks in the match.

RCC head coach Helen Jahr was pleased with her team’s play in the third set, but she was hoping they could get going early.

“We felt like we were on defense a lot in those first two sets,” Jahr said.

Austin grad Marissa Hart, who had four set assists, said the Blue Devils are starting to pick up their play as the season goes on.

“I think we’re slowly starting to get better as we get used to playing with each other,” Hart said.

RCC stats: Sam Siskow, 8 kills, 2 ace serves, 11 digs; Elly Buck, 6 kills, 3 set assists, 9 digs; Marissa Hart, 4 set assists; Steph Holicky, 2 set assists