Both are expected to compete for state titles this year and lead the way in Western Wake volleyball. They combined to go 53-5 last year, and four of those losses came to eventual state champions.

And they'll also play each other on Aug. 18.

Apex returns everybody: The Cougars return their entire squad from a 20-4 season that included two losses to state 4-A champion Greenville Rose and a loss to 3-A champ Cardinal Gibbons.

The year ended too soon for Apex, which has won 29 of its last 30 conference matches and 44 of the last 49. The Cougars reached the second round of the playoffs before losing to Enloe.

Alston Kearns, 5-foot-6, has committed to Tennessee and is among the best liberos in the state. Kristen Harris, 6-foot-2, has committed to Elon. She led the Cougars in kills and blocks in 2009. Megan Gravley is an experienced outside hitter, whose improvement has impressed Coach Nikki O'Connell.

"We should have a good season," O'Connell said. "We have good experience and the girls have worked hard to get better."

Cary Academy looking for redemption: The Chargers were 33-1 and lost in five sets to six-time N.C. Independent High School Athletic Association 3-A champion Charlotte Latin.

Cary Academy returns 10 lettermen including all-state selections Ashleigh Crutcher, a 6-1 all-state senior who was the Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Association player of the year, and Cate Glendenning, a 5-8 senior who was an all-state pick.

Crutcher has committed to Maryland while Glendenning has committed to Pfieffer.

Green Hope, rest of Tri-Nine look to improve: The Falcons went 17-5 in 2009 but were upset by Wake Forest-Roleville in the second round. In fact, no Tri-Nine team made it past the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs last season.

Green Hope has a new coach, Karl Redelfs, and will have to replace Tri-Nine player of the year Lindsey O'Connell. The Falcons will rely on juniors Christina Vucich, a nationally-known player who has committed to Duke, and Kaitlin Quinn.

Perhaps no player meant more to her team last year than Jill Edwards did to Panther Creek. But now Edwards has graduated and the Catamounts will look to continue its upward trend. The program went from winning one conference match in three seasons to winning 11 last season and earning a 3-seed in the state playoffs.

Cary has made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons but will have to replace key senior leaders.

Middle Creek earned its first trip to the NCHSAA playoffs last year and will return eight lettermen including all-conference selection Taylor Pritchett. Athens Drive, with Cameron Spade leading the way, will try to make its return to the playoffs after missing out last season.

Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs each went 4-12 in conference play but have two of the league's best players in Raquelle Keeton (F-V) and Brandi Anderson (HS).

Apex native key for Crusaders: Cardinal Gibbons, which has won 10 state titles in 12 years, will break in a new coach but not a new star player.

Apex resident Madison Bugg was the N.C. Gatorade player of the year as a sophomore last season, leading the Crusaders to a 24-1 record and the NCHSAA 3-A state title. Logan Barber will replace Jim Freeman as head coach.