You don't often think of outside hitters that don't even reach 6'0'' in high school girls volleyball, much less at a school that doesn't even have their own on-campus court.

At Port Of Los Angeles High they have to make do with whatever they have, such as their home facility, the Peck Park gymnasium. In a way, that also bodes the same for senior outside hitter Maria Mohan, who does not let her small frame get in the way of challenging the tall trees at the net... and succeeding.

It's a challenge Mohan takes with great pride and excitement.

"I love it!" Mohan exclaims. "I've never really had the opportunity to hit in the front row. It is exhilirating being so short and hitting over a block and I think it makes every game a different experience to learn from."

Mohan is like a hybrid player for POLA (3-3 overall, 1-0 in Crosstown League), who was a CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division IV quarterfinalist last season, as she not only is one of the Polar Bears' top hitters, she also tag teams up with Virginia transfer senior Kellen McMurry as setter, a position she was the main starter at under former coach Felicia Ivie.

"Kellen definitely completes the team and raises the bar," Mohan says of McMurry. "She is an amazing setter and overall player that we all can rely on."

Not that the Polar Bears don't rely on Mohan at all. Take last year's CIF-LACS Division IV second round match at Fulton College Prep of Van Nuys for example, as her inspired effort paced the Polar Bears to a stunning 25-22, 25-11, 28-26 sweep over the host Jaguars. "That last set was memorable for me and the team," Mohan says. "Instead of giving up, the team buckled down and won. The bus ride back home was wild too."

While the Polar Bears appear to be the favorite in a watered-down Crosstown League, Mohan, who has 64 assists, 21 kills and 19 service aces this season, has a simple goal for her senior year that a lot of young athletes take for granted.

"My biggest goal is to live life to the fullest," Mohan says. "I want to lead the team through a great season and then after focus on my college decisions."