The NCHSAA volleyball playoffs tip off Saturday with first-round matches while second-round games will be Tuesday.

While players such as Swansboro’s Payton Hislop and Reese Hislop, Jacksonville’s Lakota Flatt and Athena Teel and East Duplin’s Lorena Rodriguez receive most of the recognition, it’s their lesser-known teammates who also play huge roles for their squads.

Here is a look at area under-the-radar players who have the potential to help their teams win in the playoffs:

Sunny Johnson, Croatan: The senior is an experienced team leader.

McKenna O’Kane, Croatan: The senior continues to be a team leader after she was first-team all-conference last year.

Lola Amos, Dixon: The freshman leads her team with 121 digs to go along with 17 aces and 15 assists.

Lizzy Capps, Dixon: Known for her soccer abilities, the senior leads her squad with 174 assists, to go along with 90 digs, 21 aces and 17 kills.

Anna Brown, East Duplin: The sophomore leads the area with 110 blocks to go along with 61 kills and 22 digs.

Lauren Cottle, East Duplin: The senior has 192 assists, 113 digs and 13 kills.

Sophia Jones, East Duplin: The junior has 112 kills, 82 blocks, 43 digs and 12 aces.

Karsyn Parker, East Duplin: The senior has 225 digs, 27 aces, 18 kills and 15 assists.

Anamarie Rodriguez, East Duplin: The senior leads her team with 220 assists to go along with 97 digs and 18 blocks.

Leah Bartley, Jacksonville: The freshman has 150 assists, 113 digs and 17 aces.

Kaydence Clemmons, Jacksonville: The freshman has 85 kills, 56 digs, 22 blocks and 18 assists.

Hailey Mahouchick, Jacksonville: The junior has 259 digs, 32 aces and 23 assists.

Mckenzie Riddle, Jacksonville: The junior has 153 assists, 122 digs and 13 aces.

Abigayle Valentin, Jacksonville: The sophomore has 51 digs, 44 kills, 30 blocks and 24 assists.

Chloe Golike, Lejeune: While the junior leads her team with 262 digs, 139 kills and 50 aces, Golike has inconspicuously had a strong season.

Dylan Janssen, Lejeune: The senior has 143 digs, 1141 assists, 101 kills, 20 aces and 18 blocks.

Liliana Artiga, Southwest: The sophomore leads her squad with 226 assists, to go along with 362 digs, 53 assists and 26 aces.

Taylor Orr, Southwest: The junior leads the area with 558 digs, but given she plays a huge defensive role, she may go unnoticed to the casual fan. She recently recorded her 1,000th high school dig.

Addy Burn, Swansboro: The freshman has 94 assists and 24 digs.

Evelyn Dunham, Swansboro: The senior has 116 kills and 38 digs.

Aisnlinn Mandel, Swansboro: The senior has 129 digs and 28 aces.

Sandra May, Swansboro: The sophomore has 81 kills, 22 digs and 19 blocks.

Olivia Shugart, Swansboro: The junior has 145 digs, 40 aces, 31 kills and 15 assists.

Chris Miller can be contacted via email at cmiller@jdnews.com. Follow him on X @jdnsports.