Apex won the conference title in 2010, a feat usually reserved for Fuquay, but the Cougars graduated a number of their key contributors from last year's team. Fuquay, meanwhile, returns almost everyone from last year's fourth-place conference finisher that made a Cinderella run to the Final Four.

We profile all of the returning all-state players and their teams.

Erin Nunn and Cianna Burt, Holly Springs: Nunn, a junior left-hander, is one of the most dominant pitchers in the state.

She struck out more than 210 batters in 2010 while leading the Golden Hawks to an 18-4 record. She threw a no-hitter in the playoffs and struck out 19 in another postseason game. Nunn already has a no-hitter this season.

At catcher, Burt also earned All-State honors as a junior. Shortstop Kristen Krebs also returns to the Hawks as an all-conference selection.

Samantha Slade, Apex: The UNC-Charlotte commitment led the Cougars in batting average and homers in 2010.

She and teammate McKenzie Randall were All-State selections in 2009, while Slade repeated in 2010.

Blair Williams, Athens Drive: The All-State senior shortstop hit .392 last year as the Jaguars made the playoffs as a fifth seed. She's joined by second-team Tri-Nine selections Tanya Van Dyk and Morgan Francis.

Erica Taylor, Green Hope: Taylor, an All-State shortstop and third baseman, hit .349 in 2010. She is a three-time all-conference player who leads a mostly young, but experienced Falcons team that had some growing pains last season.

Krystal Coleman, Allison Geiner, Middle Creek: Coleman, a catcher, hit better than .450 in 2010 and was an All-State pick. Geiner, a junior, missed last season with a shoulder injury but was all-state as a freshman. Geiner has committed to UNC Greensboro.

Other area teams

Fuquay-Varina: Led by Campbell recruit Camise Patterson, coach Deb Ryan's club returns all but two starters from 2010. The Bengals are ranked No. 10 in the coaches' preseason poll.

Shortstop Alexa Cannon was All-State in 2009, while third baseman Hannah Wallace was first team all-conference.

Sophomores Alissa Dean and Heather Ratcliff are a 1-2 punch at pitcher.

Cary: Jesse Blackney and Emily Libero are returning all-conference players for the Imps.