Ella Baker Hits 1,000 Career Assists for Dominican
The freshman setter achieved the milestone during a four-set victory over Chapelle in New Orleans.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Volleyball
Dominican freshman Ella Baker became the first player in school history to reach 1,000 career assists while leading her team to a win over Chapelle. The match concluded in four sets, with Dominican overcoming an initial deficit to secure the victory.
Why it matters
This achievement highlights the rapid impact of a freshman player on a high-performing volleyball program. The milestone underscores the high level of individual skill required to maintain a dominant 26-4 season record.
Baker recorded 40 assists in the win, where match scores settled at 23-25, 25-11, 25-16, and 25-10. Dominican teammates Hadley Bonifacic and Elle Diley contributed 14 and 12 kills respectively, while Chapelle's Victoria McCann recorded 19 kills.
The players
Ella Baker
She is a freshman volleyball player for Dominican who became the first player in the school's history to reach 1,000 career assists.
Hadley Bonifacic
She is a junior at Dominican who recorded 14 kills during the victory over Chapelle.
Elle Diley
She is an eighth grader at Dominican who registered 12 kills and five blocks in the match.
Victoria McCann
She is a senior at Chapelle who led her team with 19 kills during the four-set contest.
Isabelle Wilson
She is a sophomore at Chapelle who recorded 21 assists for her team.
The details
Dominican secured the match victory by adjusting defensive matchups after the first set and increasing offensive pace for the remainder of the game. Elle Diley supported the defensive effort with five blocks alongside her offensive contributions.
Timeline
The match between Dominican and Chapelle took place on October 20, 2026.
Chapelle is scheduled to face Sacred Heart on October 21, 2026.
Dominican is scheduled to compete against St. Joseph's on October 22, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This win cements Dominican's standing among the top teams in the state as they head into the final stretch of the season. The victory positions them favorably for upcoming playoff seeding while demonstrating the depth of their roster.
Dominican maintains a strong 26-4 record that significantly bolsters their regional power rating for the postseason. Meanwhile, Chapelle looks to rebound from their 24-6 season standing as they prepare for their next match on Wednesday.
The takeaway
Dominican's ability to adjust defensive schemes mid-match was the decisive factor in overcoming a dropped opening set. Fans should note how freshman integration into key roles can stabilize a team's offensive rhythm throughout the duration of a long season.
What happens next
Dominican is scheduled to play St. Joseph's on October 22, 2026, while Chapelle is set to play Sacred Heart on October 21, 2026.
Further reading
Stay updated on the latest local athletic developments by following New Orleans Volleyball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
