Ellery Cabaj Reaches 1,000 Career Assists Milestone

The Downers Grove North setter hit the career mark during a straight-set victory over rival Downers Grove South.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Volleyball

Expressive sports illustration of a volleyball player in navy and gold jersey performing a set during a match. — Downers Grove North setter Ellery Cabaj recorded her 1,000th career assist during a straight-set victory over rival Downers Grove South. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Downers Grove North setter Ellery Cabaj officially recorded her 1,000th career assist during a commanding win over Downers Grove South. The match was briefly paused to celebrate the milestone after Cabaj set up a kill for teammate Eve Pundmann.

Why it matters

Reaching 1,000 career assists highlights the technical precision and playmaking consistency of a setter within a competitive high school program. This milestone reflects significant contributions to offensive success over multiple seasons of play.

Cabaj reached the milestone in a match where Downers Grove North secured 10 total aces. The team now holds an 18-8 record, while Downers Grove South moves to 13-12 following the 25-12, 25-15 loss.

The players

Ellery Cabaj

She is a student-athlete and setter who serves as a primary playmaker for the Downers Grove North volleyball team.

Eve Pundmann

She is a volleyball player who recorded the kill that secured Cabaj's 1,000th career assist.

Downers Grove North

This is a public high school in Illinois that maintains a competitive varsity volleyball program.

Downers Grove South

This is a neighboring public high school institution that fields a competitive varsity volleyball team.

The details

Using a 6-2 offensive formation, Cabaj and Madi Mastalarz split setting duties to drive the team's attack. The effort was supported by strong offensive output from players including Jennifer Curran, who recorded six kills, and Gabby Plzak, who added five.

The match between Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South took place on October 15, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This victory strengthens Downers Grove North's position as they progress through the late-season schedule. The milestone underscores the team's reliance on high-level setting play to maintain offensive momentum during critical league matchups.

With this 25-12, 25-15 win, Downers Grove North improves its seasonal standing to 18-8. The game statistics highlight balanced team play, as Nicole Liu, Sienna Shelton, Brynne Burkhart, and Samantha Hancock collectively contributed double-digit kills to the final score.

The takeaway

Achieving 1,000 career assists requires both sustained performance and consistent offensive chemistry with teammates. This milestone serves as a testament to the setter's role in orchestrating team success over the course of a competitive season.