The Riverland volleyball team shook off some early miscues to sweep Western Wisconsin Tech by scores of 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 in Riverland Gym Monday.

The Blue Devils (9-7 overall) fell behind 10-6 in the first game, and they trailed 20-17, before Ashley Lau made back-to-back kills to make it 20-20. Lau added a serving ace and another kill to make it 23-20, before Brooke Monson hammered home the last two points on blocks to take the first game.

“Ashley Lau definitely kept us in it,” Riverland head coach Helen Jahr said. “When the rest of the team was down, she was hitting and hitting and digging. She had a great match, no doubt.”

Lau, a sophomore hitter from Glenville/Emmons, also had a go-ahead kill to put the Blue Devils up 23-22 in the second game.

“There were a lot of gaps in their blocks, and we had some good setting,” said Lau, who had 14 kills and 13 digs.

WWT scored three straight points to tie the second game up at 22 before Lau made it 23-22. WWT tied things up at 23 when Riverland served into the net, but Kate Krogh tipped in a soft shot for a kill and WWT had a side out to end the game.

“We just got down sometimes,” said Riverland setter Krissy Schemmel, who had 13 digs and 12 assists. “We have to pick each other up.”

Riverland hit its stride in the third game, where the Blue Devils never trailed en route to a clinching victory.

“I think it helps (to get a sweep),” Jahr said. “They realized that they had a slow start and they needed to pick it up. I’m glad they pulled it out. I knew they were capable because we’ve seen Western Wisconsin a few times before this.”

Tiffany Preuss, a sophomore from Waterville/Elysian/Morristown, had 18 assists and 11 kills for Riverland, and Monson had four blocks.

Riverland will host Anoka/Ramsey Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The Blue Devils are one of three teams tied for fourth in the MCAC South Division.

“It’s nice to have this win heading into Wednesday. We need to win on Wednesday to prove to ourselves that we can do it and get to the state tournament,” Jahr said.