The San Pedro High girls volleyball program has had a great list of outside hitters that have came to the school, and their most recent product, senior Paige Peterson, has been a mainstay for four years.

Even though it seems unreachable because of all the talent-laden teams in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division I where the Pirates compete in, the goal for Peterson, a two-time All-Marine League selection the past two seasons, is really simple... she wants to go out on top, and will do her best to make sure she reaches it up there.

"It's a bittersweet feeling being a senior leaving all the memories, in the classrooms and in the gym at San Pedro behind," Peterson says. "I want the team to be successful as we can as we pursue a City championship."

Peterson is just the latest in a long line of versatile outside hitters in San Pedro history who excelled at other positions, such as former City Section MVP Samantha Taylor, Jenny Miller, Marisa Bubica (currently a senior at UC Irvine) and former teammate Fina Ojeda (Harbor College). Peterson considers it an honor to be mentioned in the same class as those distinguished former All-Marine League and All-City selections.

Throughout her four years, Peterson has played outside hitter, opposite hitter, libero and as a freshman she also played setter as the back-up to Ojeda in during the 2011 season.

There's one match in particular Peterson points to in her career that is her most memorable...

"Definitely the fifth set to 15 with Banning last year when we came back from a big deficit," Peterson says.

Ah yes, the dubbed "Miracle On 17th Street" comeback where Peterson kept several rallies alive with several digs as San Pedro chipped away at a 14-8 deficit where one mistake would give the Pilots their first-ever victory over San Pedro in girls volleyball. Peterson's kill during that comeback in the final set put the Pirates ahead for good, and she finished with 21 digs for the match itself.

"I've never been so excited in any game that I've played," Peterson recalls. "I had a lot of faith point-by-point and just making sure no ball touched the ground. It was the best relief to just let everything out when we won."

One notable feature on Peterson's skill level is her jump serve, which she uses to devastating effect and gives San Pedro either free balls when the opponent struggles to regroup, or an easy point right off the bat, which gives Peterson an ace for her efforts.

"Her jump float is very effective," San Pedro girls volleyball coach Chris Ceballos says. "As the season goes on I only anticipate that it will get better. The more control she gets throughout the year the more dangerous she will be."

San Pedro (currently 4-3 overall, 2-2 in the Marine League) knows it will be a tough going in the Marine League with both co-champions Carson and Narbonne of Harbor City boasting solid teams once again, but Peterson isn't ready to concede anything, neither are her teammates.

"Carson and Narbonne are very good teams and always are main competition when league begins," Peterson says. "But I believe we have a chance to beat both and win the Marine League title. With the different coaching system and new players for this team, there has been a lot of added improvement to our game."

No doubt, Peterson has shown tremendous improvements and evolution to her game as the years passed on, and her leadership quality will be missed when she graduates in June 2015.

"She's a quiet leader," Ceballos says of Peterson. "She's not too vocal but she goes about her business, provides stability for the team, and she leads by staying composed when we are in tough situations."