Lower Merion’s Avery Bickell is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week (April 3-9)
The senior midfielder and captain has scored 24 goals and won 16 draw controls in the Aces’ first four games as Lower Merion is off to a 4-0 start. Last spring, her third year as a varsity starter, she was a first team All-Main Line and All-Central League girls’ lacrosse selection, scoring 70 goals and winning 58 draw controls in 18 games as the Aces’ Most Valuable Player. Lower Merion girls lacrosse head coach Kara Clark said, “Avery is an incredible athlete and an undeniable force on the field. She consistently makes plays on attack, defense, and between the 30s, and is a spark on the field. Avery is tough, gritty, and most importantly competitive. Our team relies on her to make a lot of plays every game, and she delivers. Our entire senior class has had a monumental impact on the Lower Merion girls’ lacrosse program by raising the standard of play, and Avery plays a huge role in pushing this team forward.” Bickell also plays field hockey for Lower Merion and is a member of Student Council. Next spring, she will play lacrosse for the University of Maryland.
Q: What has been the biggest key to your productive scoring this spring?
A: Capitalizing on the opportunities I’ve been able to create with my teammates has been a huge part in my success in scoring. Finding the back of the net has new challenges with it every game so changing the way I shoot/dodge and move off ball for my team all contribute to what comes up on the stat sheet.
Q: What do you think are the biggest keys to winning a draw control?
A: Speed and grit are the two most important things to have when lined up on the draw or circle. Above all though, it’s a no-lose attitude and fearlessness that girls on the circle need to come up with the draw.
Q: How do you feel you can best fulfill your role as captain of the Lower Merion girls’ lacrosse team – both on and off the field?
A: There’s more to being a captain than leading on the field. It’s important to me that I am setting a good example and making sure everyone on both teams feels included. It’s my job to balance the fun with a high competitive level, that’s how we become successful. I am honored to be an Ace and to lead this special group of girls.
Q: What has been your favorite experience with the Lower Merion girls’ lacrosse team to date?
A: Senior Day during my junior year is my favorite LM lacrosse memory. Although the game didn’t have the outcome we would have liked, it was a hard-fought battle and it was a great day celebrating my best friends who were graduating. Our group wouldn’t have had the family environment it did without them.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in lacrosse. What originally attracted you to lacrosse?
A: I started playing lacrosse in kindergarten, but it feels like I’ve had a stick in my hand since the day I was born. My entire family grew up playing, some even in college, so it naturally was the sport made for me. I loved the competitiveness and toughness that comes with being a lacrosse player. I knew from a young age I wanted to have lacrosse in my life as long as I could. It’s the thing that makes me the happiest.
Q: Have you always been a midfielder? Who have been your most important lacrosse mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: I have been playing midfield since I started playing lacrosse, I’ve always loved to run! There are too many people to pick just one but Jenny and Alex Duckenfield have been my two biggest lacrosse mentors. I’ve learned everything from them, but the best piece of advice I’ve received is to shut up and work hard. I owe everything to them.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 13 for Lower Merion lacrosse – is there a reason you picked that number?
A: I am honored to wear No. 13 because it was what my Dad wore when he played for the Aces. He has always encouraged me to do what I love, wearing his number makes playing for Lower Merion 10 times more special.
Q: What do you think you might want to major in at University of Maryland? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: I intend on majoring in Business at Maryland, more specifically sports marketing and/or communications. I can’t imagine my life without sports, so having my job revolve around them would be awesome.
Fun facts – Avery Bickell
Favorite book: Moneyball by Michael Lewis.
Favorite author: Stephanie Meyer.
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite movie: The Sandlot.
Favorite athlete: Kayla Treanor.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: ‘Till I Collapse – Eminiem.
Favorite team: The Maryland Terrapins.
Favorite place to visit: Ocean City, N.J.
Favorite pre-game meal: Turkey and cheese sandwich.
Person I most admire, and why: “I admire my Aunt Allison; she puts everyone in front of herself, always with a smile on her face. She probably doesn’t know it but I’ve looked up to her since Day One.”
Family members: Parents Jeff and Lisa, younger brother Colin.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
