If ambition could be measured in inches, Cal State Bakersfield student Sundai Love surely would tower over her competitors on "America's Next Top Model," which begins its 13th cycle on The CW network Wednesday.

Alas, drive and guts might add character but they don't make you taller, and at 5 foot 3, Love is actually the shortest girl in the bunch. But the fact that a half-pint hottie like Love would make the show at all is good news for short women everywhere and a first for the reality show, where the leggy Tyra Banks reigns supreme.

Dubbing this round of the popular series "Little Women," the show accepted would-be models no taller than 5 feet 7 inches.

"There have been top supermodels in the past that weren't as tall as the industry demands, like fashion icon Kate Moss," noted Banks in a media release.

Whether Love can outpose, outwalk and outscheme the 13 other pretty faces remains to be seen, but just getting her stilettos in the door was a big deal.

"I auditioned in Los Angeles and it was a very stressful process," Love said. "The room was filled with beautiful girls that were much taller

than me. ... "I was so nervous, I was the only one that messed up saying my own name! ... Then out of all

the girls that were there she only called out about five numbers and mine was one. I was so excited I couldn't believe it. My sister actually didn't make it past that cut. After that, I had a call-back where the audition process was even longer with triple as many girls as the first."

Love has lived in Bakersfield her entire life, starting at Plantation Elementary and attending Liberty and Golden Valley high schools. She was a Bakersfield College student when she learned she would meet Tyra.

Love's family, which consists of her mother and big sister Kristin is tight, and she has quite a little managerie of pets. As for hobbies: "I like to pogo stick even though everyone thinks I'm crazy for pogo-sticking. I love cartoons and sadly that's where a lot of my time goes, if I'm not wrapped up in BYS (Black Young Stars) a group I'm in on campus."

More of our e-mail chat with Love:

How did you find out that "America's Next Top Model" was going to feature shorter women?

My sister has been trying out every year even though she's not 5'9" and this year she found out they were casting models 5'7" and under. She told me I should come and try out and they might like me because of my unique features, but I thought they would pick my prettier sister over me. I'm more of a tomboy but I still wanted to model as much as her. So we both drove down to L.A. to try out.

How were you notified that you had been selected?

I got a phone call in the middle of my class by a guy and he said you have made it to casting week. I tend to day dream and I didn't really hear him. The next day he called asking me many questions about myself and I said "Why are you asking me all this? Did I make it to the show?" He told me, "YES, silly,I told you this yesterday. No wonder you didn't sound excited." I started screaming and jumping all around so much that me and (my friend) Anthony almost got into a car accident.

What did you do to celebrate?

Sadly, I couldn't tell many people at all so I only told my sister and mother. They acted more excited than me when I told them. We didn't celebrate but my mom did make me spaghetti -- my favorite -- before I left and my sister took me to get sushi, my other favorite.

What did you think of Tyra when you met her?

It was amazing seeing Tyra. I had been waiting for so long to meet her and she's much taller and even more beautiful in person than she is on TV. I felt so small seeing her.

Have you always wanted to be a model?

I have always wanted to be a model even as a small child and having an older sister that wanted to be a model too really help.

Have you done any modeling before this?

I've done small acting and modeling roles before the show. Some print work, a hair runway show, and a few music videos.

Are things changing for models shorter in stature? Can a model of an average or below-average height expect to have a career as a supermodel?

I always believed in one saying "You can be and have whatever you want on this earth if you try hard enough," and getting onto the show really proves it. Anyone of any height can be a model if they really apply themselves and make sure they're one of the best.