Grand Rapids, Mich—Grand Rapids Community College's Raider Volleyball team departs today to face their toughest conference foe in Muskegon Community College tonight at 5:00PM.

The Raiders, now ranked seventh in NJCAA DII, hold first place in the MCCAA Western Conference standings with an 8-0 conference record while 22-3 overall.  At 24-4 overall and 9-1 in conference play, Muskegon's Jayhawks sit in second in the MCCAA West while 8^th in the NJCAA.

When the two teams met for the first time this season, Grand Rapids dealt the Jayhawks their only conference loss of the season 3-1 as sophomore outside Taylor Friend delivered 12 kills to lead the Raiders to victory.

Tonight's matchup will bring out the best in both team's leaders.

Muskegon Community College's Brandie Jones, a freshman outside hitter, has racked up 404 kills on the season adding 343 digs and 62 blocks.  Middle Hitters Beka German and Elyse Ray have combined for 439 kills and 182 blocks thus far in 2012 to keep the Jayhawks attack balanced.

The Raiders stats have been spread out fairly evenly for the past few matches as Coach Will has kept his lineups fresh, but throughout the course of the season leaders have certainly emerged.

Sophomore right side Emily Johnson leads the Raiders with 282 kills adding 225 digs.  Freshman Middle Abbie Gortsema is the only other player to break the 200 kill mark for GRCC with 204.

Tayler Friend and Shelby Ruffner have each recorded over 100 kills thus far in 2013.

Gortsema and Ruffner lead GRCC in blocking with 77 and 71, respectively.

Amanda Glaza leads the Raiders in digs with 347.

Freshman setter Taylor Gates has recorded 727 assists and 57 kills while starting 24-of-25 matches.

Tonight's matchup likely represents the last time each team will face nationally ranked opposition for the remainder of their regular seasons.  For both teams, tonight's contest is a must win.