Long-standing softball power Fuquay-Varina is coming off a decade that saw two NCHSAA semifinal appearances and nine conference championships. But this is a season where Fuquay will have to stave off several contenders if it wants another piece of hardware for the trophy case.

Apex: Pitcher Natalie Klemann helped the Cougars to a 19-3 record and a berth in the NCHSAA Eastern semifinals, where they lost to Fuquay for the third time on the year. Coach Bonnie Hodge's club returns seven lettermen.

Fuquay-Varina: Bengals reached the 4-A state Final Four last year, but graduated pitching ace Alex Ryan. Freshmen Heather Ratcliff and Alyssa Dean will do much of the pitching. Centerfielder Camise Patterson, one of three players who started as freshmen last year, scored 27 runs and stole 18 bases in 2009. Junior Alexa Cannon led last year's 21-6 club with a .416 batting average. Second baseman Natalie Budde hit clean-up last year as a ninth-grader.

Holly Springs: Sophomore Erica Nunn struck out 209 batters in 2009 and helped pitch the Golden Hawks to a 11-8 record and an NCHSAA playoff berth. The powerful left-hander already is one of the area's best. Holly Springs finished fourth in their final year in the Greater Neuse Conference.

Middle Creek: The Mustangs were 14-6 in 2009 and return pitcher Darby Pearce and catcher Krystal Coleman. The club has seven seniors, though conference player of the year Heather Robb, now at UNC-Greensboro, will be missed. Middle Creek's Allison Geiner, a sophomore, returns to the leadoff spot.

Panther Creek: Senior Madison Shaw hit over .550 in 2009 and the Catamounts are expected to score. Catcher/pitcher Katie Moore hit seven doubles in 11 at-bats and tossed a one-hitter last year but broke a bone in her hand on a hit-by-pitch. Panther Creek struggled to win just a few more games after the 3-1 start. New coach Heidi Kearnan takes over after Brian Johnson resigned to focus on a school administration degree.