By Tiffany L. Rehbein
Sunburst proved itself to be a District 5C power after it defeated the KG KouGars 12-15, 15-5, 15-4, 15-13 at Sunburst Monday.
Senior Jennifer Siefert and Lindsey Johnson combined for 10 kills in the loss.
Ashley Melby tallied 30 assists in the effort, as the KouGars compiled 47 assists, versus just 29 for the Refiners.
Siefert and freshman Kim Berg combined for 14 blocks, seven apiece, on the night.
Melby and Kristin Preeshl played tough on the back line, racking up 15 and 13 digs, respectively, for the KouGars.
KG nearly doubled Sunburst in aces, with 13. Melby had five, while Berg notched three.
Sunburst used 42 kills to propel itself to the win, led by Jerri Ahrens with 19 and Jennifer Brandon with 12.
Sunburst handed the J-I Rams a three-game loss on Saturday.
The KouGars will host the Blue Sky Ealgles on Friday, Jan. 14, for a conference match.
Sunburst def. KG 12-15, 15-5, 15-4, 15-13
KG leaders -- Kills 11 (Jennifer Siefert 5, Lindsey Johnson 5); Assists 47 (Ashley Melby 30); Blocks 24 (Siefert 7, Kim Berg 7); Digs 64 (Melby 15, Kristin Preeshl 13); Aces 13 (Melby 5, Berg 3).
Sunburst leaders -- Kills 42 (Jerri Ahrens 19, Jennifer Brandon 12); Assists 29 (Randi Dyrdahl 16, Brooke Olson 12); Blocks 13 (Ahrens 7, Brandon 2, Miranda Diegel 2); Digs 7 (Dyrdahl 2, Ahrens 2); Aces 7 (Brandon 3).
