Just about every local volleyball team enjoyed some semblance of success in the playoffs last year.

Northeastern showed the way, winning its first 26 games before losing in the 2A state final.

But Perquimans won three games in the 1A state tourney and Camden and Pasquotank made surprising runs in 1A and 2A state play, each advancing to the third round.

Also, Albemarle School was second in the Tar Heel Independent Conference tourney.

While all of those aforementioned teams lost their best players to graduation, the cupboard is hardly bare.

Here’s a look at area teams:

NORTHEASTERN

Yes, Daily Advance Area Player of the Year Francie Jenkins has taken her game off to Princeton University, but the Lady Eagles will be just fine without the Big Bopper.

Five starters are back, including senior outside hitter Kellianne Crouse and Ashtin Truesdale, a gifted senior setter, who made the All-Area team. Junior outside hitter Sabrina Gonzalez, senior middle hitter Brittany Thomas and junior libero Morgan Owney and Elaina Price, a senior middle and right hitter, also return.

Laura Fletcher, a junior, moves into the lineup at middle hitter.

Depth will provided by seniors Crystal Sawyer, Alex Crump and Kristin Flowers and freshman Nia Bell.

Yes, Northeastern is loaded.

“All of the returning players are better than they were last year,” Lady Eagles coach Tim Brown said.

Any obstacle Northeastern that could prevent another dazzling season will be mental.

“What I have to worry most about is the girls understanding what they did last year won’t win any games this year,” Brown said. “People are going to be trying harder to beat us and we have to bring our best game every night.”

Northeastern already did that once. The Lady Eagles beat Perquimans 26-24. 25-22, 25-22 on the road in their only game.

PERQUIMANS

Lady Pirates coach Kristie Thach lost three standouts to graduation, including Four Rivers Conference co-Player of the Year Rachel Phthisic, but she has plenty back to work with.

“We’ve got five players with a lot of experience and we have a real scrappy team with consistent serving,” she said.

The vets are good ones. Senior setter Katie Copeland and senior outside hitter Cariss Trueblood, junior middle hitter Danielle Baccus and sophomore outside hitter Shelby Stokely and junior libero Breann Fields were instrumental in Perquimans going 12-2 in the conference and 18-6 overall last fall.

Sophomore Shelby Spruill will join the lineup as the second setter.

Coming off the bench will be Casey Cartwright, Grace Barrett, Megan Smith and Sarah Stevenson.

The Lady Pirates are 1-1 so far, with the loss coming to Northeastern. They get another shot at the Lady Eagles today at Northeastern.

CAMDEN

While it might be true that the Lady Bruins waved goodbye to half of their starters at graduation, including All-Area pick Allison Cuthrell, there is still a wealth of talent and depth.

“We’ve got 15 athletes on the roster, we’re deep at every position,” said coach Summer Buxton, who led Camden on last fall’s playoff run in her first season. “The key is going to be finding the best position for each athlete.”

After one week, that’s apparently been done. The Lady Bruins, who went 10-13 overall and 6-8 in the Four Rivers last season, are already 3-0.

Returnees Erica Barnes and Kara Pipkin have made successful transitions to new positions at right-side hitter and libero, Erin Brackett has excelled as an outside hitter and middle hitters Megan Hill and McKenzie Moore, outside hitter Brynn Fleury and defensive specialist Megan Leary have all played well.

Shyanne Stone, Sydney Fleury, Julie Reed and Chelsea Mason are also in the mix.

“I have high hopes for the team and expect great things this season,” Buxton said.

PASQUOTANK

Gone is NCC Co-Player of the Year Lindsey Jones. The driving force behind Pasquotank’s 13-6 overall record and 8-4 mark in the NCC is now playing volleyball at High Point University.

Most of the other starters have graduated, too.

But Lady Panthers’ coach Joshua Mallory is still optimistic.

“The outlook is still very successful,” said Mallory, who will be rebuilding for the second time in as many seasons.

“Our strengths will be defense and aggressive ball handling.”

Athleticism will also be a plus. Half of this year’s lineup will be composed of basketball players.

Outside hitters Jordan Miller and Kenitria Riddick, blockers Abigail Freeman and Chelsey Elliott, setter Hallie DeNunzio and Brianna Elliott will be the players trying to execute Mallory’s game plan.

CURRITUCK

Count the Lady Knights among the teams that will be playing without last year’s best player. In this case, Laura Wilson. But Wilson was also Currituck’s only senior, meaning that more than a dozen familiar faces will be on coach Jennifer Hopkins’ roster.

Rachel Selvaggi, a three-year varsity player who can play anywhere on the court, heads the returnees from a squad that fashioned a 6-6 NCC record and went 6-9 overall. Other starters back include senior outside hitter Macie Whitlow, junior setter Haley Hopkins, junior backside hitter Caitlin Lester and junior middle hitter Olivia Newbern.

Junior Kayla Phillips will like join the lineup as libero.

Other players returning include Rebecca Culberson, Katie Gorza, Shae Scott, Tiffany Walston, Marrena Glanville, Sydney Painter and Megan Sample.

“We’re lucky to return so many girls,” Hopkins said. “They know what to expect and the level of play they need to be successful.”

EDENTON

A host of fresh faces will be asked to get it done for the Lady Aces, who return just two starters from last season’s 6-22 team that was also 4-8 in the NCC and begin the 2011 season in clear rebuilding mode.

The team is not without talent, however. Senior Tamara Leary provides power in the middle, and outside hitter Olivia Whitehurst, another senior, is an effective server.

Three juniors, Whitney Holmes, Amber Seymour and Kayla Tripp — a transfer from Maryland — are also likely starters, as is Peri Peeler, a sophomore who saw action with the varsity last year. In addition, junior Elizabeth Tynch has been coming on strong in practices at libero.

Sophomores Rachel Ward, Keyshon Coston and Sarah Harrell, along with Kayla Ricks and Paige Delaney, should also contribute.

Coach Connie Peeler said teamwork, focus/mentality and the ability to cover the court are the biggest keys for the Lady Aces this season.

ALBEMARLE SCHOOL

The good news for co-coaches Kelly Mansfield and Vanessa Parks is that four starters are back from last year’s conference runner-up.

The bad news is that one of them isn’t conference Player of the Year Jenny Phillips, who graduated.

Still, holdovers Megan Evans, Amanda Cartwright, Ashley Cartwright and Savannah Simpson have been part of a successful program.

Ashley Owney and Amanda Lane should move into the starting lineup and Kayla Perry, Cayla Felts, Kayla Smith and Kelli Wiley will provide depth.

“There are some strong returning players mixed with some players that have never played,” Mansfield said. “But I think we will have a decent season. They are a good group of girls and the team chemistry is great.”

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