There are several top-notch right-side hitters in Arkansas I could use as examples, but I chose Arizona commit, Olivia Ambeau Olivia Ambeau 6'0" | S/RS Cabot | 2028 State AR because of everything she brings to the court. Ambeau and Molly Miller Molly Miller 5'11" | S/RS Fayetteville | 2028 State #94 Nation AR are rare players. Both can set, hit, defend, and lead their teams. There are other right sides who might fit the more traditional mold of the position, but few possess the complete skill set that Ambeau brings to the floor.

Playing in Class 6A against some of the state’s toughest competition, Ambeau has put together an impressive statistical season. She’s recorded 310 kills while hitting .276, along with 14 aces, 63 blocks, 297 digs, 350 assists, and 59 receptions. Those numbers tell you just how versatile she is. Ambeau isn’t just an attacker who rotates to the front row and puts balls away. She contributes in virtually every phase of the game.

But what really sets her apart for me is her blocking. At the college level, right-side hitters are frequently matched up against the opponent’s best outside attackers. Having the size, timing, and ability to close the block is critical, and Ambeau has shown she can make an impact in that area.

Her 63 blocks are impressive, but it’s her ability to combine that defensive presence with legitimate offensive production and setting ability that makes her such an intriguing prospect.

She’s also capable of defending in the back row and running the offense when needed, something you don’t see from many traditional right-side hitters. She will most likely be a 5-1 setter right-side as she moves forward in her career.

Rightside

Ambeau is another one of the most complete players in the state. She could line up at just about any position and dominate. She attacks, sets, defends and blocks, and there is a reason she sits atop the 2028 rankings.

Season: 213 kills | .305 hitting | 241 assists | 213 digs | 45 blocks

58 Sets | 203 Kills | .293 | 225 Assists | 209 Digs | 43 Blocks | 12 Aces

Cabot: 14-4-2 | 2nd, 6A Central

Just look at those numbers. More than 200 kills. More than 200 assists. More than 200 digs. Then throw in 43 blocks. There aren’t many players in the state being asked to do everything Ambeau is doing for Cabot.

She can terminate. She can set. She can defend. She can block.

If you are looking for the best all-around statistical line in the state, this one is going to be hard to beat.

Olivia Ambeau Olivia Ambeau 6'0" | S/RS Cabot | 2028 State AR continues to show why she is one of the most versatile players in the state. Cabot (7-3) went 2-0 on the week, and Ambeau was involved in just about everything the Panthers did. Cabot defeated Pulaski Academy in a five setter where Ambeau had 19 kills hitting .414, 5 solo blocks and dished out 19 assists. The double-double machine was at it again in a sweep of 6A Central opponent Jonesboro with 12 kills and 12 assists, this time hitting .417.

She finished the week with 31 kills, 30 digs, 29 assists, 6 blocks and 2 aces. Those numbers tell the story. Olivia can score from the pin, help run the offense, defend and make plays at the net.

We talk a lot about six-rotation players, but Ambeau takes versatility a step further. She can legitimately fill multiple roles for Cabot without the Panthers having to sacrifice much anywhere on the court. A 30-kill, 30-dig, 30-assist week would have been pretty cool, but I think we’ll let her slide on that one missing assist.

From HC Anna Robertson, “She has had a really good start to the season. She has been a game changer on offense, leading in kills and as a setter she the ability to deliver a hittable ball from anywhere on the court.”

For the Season: 28 sets | 96 kills | 3.4 k/s | 6 aces | 100 assists | 22 blocks | 98 digs

Why Olivia Ambeau Olivia Ambeau 6'0" | S/RS Cabot | 2028 State AR :

In 2025, Olivia Ambeau Olivia Ambeau 6'0" | S/RS Cabot | 2028 State AR burst onto the scene for Cabot, finishing with 310 kills, 409 assists, 81 blocks, and 35 aces while helping lead the Lady Panthers to the 6A Central Championship. With several key seniors graduating, she’ll be counted on to lead another talented Cabot squad.

Ambeau is a proven winner. This summer, she helped 501 Volley capture the Liberty Division National Championship. She has a powerful arm from the pin, but it’s her setting that really sets her apart (pun intended). Olivia sees the floor exceptionally well, puts her hitters in great positions to score, and creates problems at the net defensively. There aren’t many players who can impact a match in as many ways, making Ambeau a deserving Prep Dig Arkansas Player of the Year nominee.

As one of the best setters and the best overall players in the state, this Arizona commit has a little bit of a challenge heading into her junior year. Her sophomore year she was second in assists to, now Henderson St freshman Mecate Marsh. But Ambeau also led the Panthers with 310 kills. Good problem for Cabot to have, but Ambeau can’t set herself. Look for seniors Izzy Duncan, Alexa Robertson Alexa Robertson OH/S Cabot | 2027 State AR and Brylee Passmore Brylee Passmore 5'7" | OH/RS Cabot | 2027 State AR to pick up the slack from departing seniors Marsh, Madilyn Lenox, and Cadela Saz Price. Replacing 442 kills is tough, but Cabot has the squad that can do it.

Arizona has landed one of the most unique players in the class of 2028. At 6 feet, Ambeau possess the size that high-major programs covet at the setter position while also providing legitimate offensive production. Few players can produce 310 kills, hit .258, and have 409 assists as a sophomore helping lead the 6A Central Champion Cabot Panthers.

For her 501 Volley 16 National team, Olivia is a fierce competitor on one of the state’s premier teams. Her ability to facilitate, attack, block and defend makes her one of the most versatile prospects across the region. Modern offenses increasingly value setters who can score, and Ambeau projects as player affecting matches in multiple ways at the Power 4 Level. She has a high setter IQ with the ability to put her hitters in the right position even when out of system. As a hitter she has a power arm that can terminate from the right side.

Besides being a great fit athletically, Arizona provided the perfect academic fit for Ambeau. Olivia said that “God opens doors and closes other and I truly feel he opened one at Arizona.” Ambeau had a strong relationship with Arizona assistant coach, Jhenna Gabriel from her time at Mizzou. She said having that relationship built from camps really help make it an easy choice. Olivia has the ability and opportunity to come in and play right away with only one other setter currently on the roster. According to her mom, Trisha Ambeau,”They have such a great animal science and vet school, this was a dream come true!”

Olivia also competes as an accomplished barrel racer, poles bending and keyhole racer with her horse Thunder.

Ambeau is one of the best players in Arkansas. She has a high volleyball IQ and does a great job at reversing the flow at the net. She sets her attackers up for success. She runs a 6-2 and hits in the front row. She has a strong arm swing and her high contact point makes It hard to defend her.

Ambeau has 147 kills and is hitting .260% on the season so far. While setting is her main position, she gets her own name called when she enters the front her. She’s a very smart attacker and sees the block well in front of her. She knows when she can rip the ball or if she needs to take some off and roll shot to the middle court.

Olivia was the player of the game in my opinion. She put up a blocking clinic against one of the best outside division one commits in Arkansas. She scored multiple points from her blocks as well as swinging on the right side. She did a great job at reversing the flow of the net allowing her attackers to beat the block and tool the block. Olivia was the game changer Cabot needed this game.