Since beginning her volleyball career in seventh grade, Ambea Nmah ‘26 has risen to co-captain of the Baldwin School’s varsity volleyball team for her final 2025 season. When teammates and coaches were asked to describe Nmah in a few words, the words kind, inclusive, compassionate, and leader were used. 

In line with her compelling and compassionate personality, Nmah has always valued the volleyball team’s diversity of grade levels, which allows lasting bonds between grades to develop. She said that one of her favorite things about playing volleyball for Baldwin is supporting her team and watching them rise up.

“Cheering on my younger teammates when they accomplish big things or small things, like if you get a nice dig off of a really good hitter–it’s really fun to cheer them on,” Nmah said.

Nmah also described how she stays motivated after tough losses through her role as co-captain.

“It’s all about mindset and maintaining the team’s positivity,” Nmah said. “I always think: What can I do to better myself? Being in a leadership role, people are looking at me to set the tone, so obviously, I can’t be moping around and depressed all the time. I try to keep my energy up, and hopefully it will affect other people’s energy as well.”

Fellow teammate and varsity volleyball player Isabella Berger ‘29 appreciates her ability to include everyone on the team, no matter their age. 

“She’s a really great teammate,” Berger said. “She’s really welcoming, especially to incoming freshmen, and she really helped me find my place on the team.”

Berger described Nmah as a levelheaded leader in tense situations, with a strong ability to focus on the future and motivate the team. She also expressed her admiration for Nmah’s help on and off the court. 

“She holds you up to a certain standard, but if you don’t meet it, it’s not the end of the world,” Berger said. “She’ll come to you and show you how to do it better next time.”

Nmah emphasized that for both herself and younger athletes, it is important to “be a goldfish,” since goldfish have ten-second memories. She explained that maintaining poise by not dwelling on mistakes helps her play better. 

Baldwin varsity volleyball coach Ben Guarino highlighted Nmah’s confidence in her ability and resiliency against strong opponents. 

“Ambea always has the biggest smile when going into the lineup to start the match,” Guarino said. “She positions herself and instructs her teammates to where they need to be, at either offense or defense.”

He said that she always puts the team before herself, and explained that she comes to practices early, ready to get the team doing drills while the coaches are talking. He said that Nmah has an uplifting spirit and a positive influence on those around her.

“When a teammate is having an off day, she is the one to tell them that the team is there for them,” Guarino said. “She is very supportive of all of them. Being a two-year varsity player, her skills and court sense improved. The younger teammates followed her example.”

Determined to improve throughout the season, Nmah hopes to elevate her volleyball and leadership skills every day. 

“I worked on my blocking, so I got to play full-rotation instead of just playing the back row, so that was a big goal of mine,” Nmah said. “And then, a goal I’m still working to achieve is probably being a better version of myself every day, within leadership aspects.”

With both her playing and attitude, Nmah conveys the true meaning of a leader, and her impact on the volleyball program will last long after she leaves. Her supportive nature and dedicated leadership help propel the Baldwin volleyball program, shaping the next generation of athletes and team leaders.