Archbishop Carroll’s Ava Bleckley is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week (May 15-21)
The senior midfielder and captain, a USA Lacrosse All American and first team All-Main Line selection last spring and a key contributor to the Patriots’ PIAA 2A state championship, has continued her stellar pace this season, with 37 goals as of May 10 (she has well over 100 for her career) as well as 27 assists, 45 draw controls and 17 caused turnovers and steals. “Ava is an outstanding leader by example, with a tireless work ethic,” said Carroll girls lacrosse head coach Lorraine Beers. Bleckley also has played for the USA Select Women’s U18 Lacrosse Team, and has committed to play lacrosse for James Madison University.
Q: You lead the team in caused opponent turnovers. What do you think are the biggest keys to playing tough defense?
A: The biggest keys for me to play tough defense are to watch my attackers hips, keep my feet moving, to stay as disciplined as possible and the communicate with your teammates.
Q: How do you view your leadership role (on and off the field) as captain, and how have you exercised this role?
A: I view being a captain a way to be able to show the younger classmen how, if you stay focused enough, the practices and extra work that you put in will pay off.
Q: What aspect of your game have you worked on the most recently?
A: The aspect of the game that I have been working on during this season are the easy fundamentals of the game such as stick work, shooting, and footwork.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in lacrosse. What originally attracted you to lacrosse?
A: When I saw my older sister Grace playing lacrosse, I wanted to start playing so my parents signed me up as soon as possible. I instantly fell in love with the speed of the sport and knew I wanted to continue to play at the higher levels.
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 always been a midfielder and my coaches Jess Lake and Lorraine Beers have been the most important lacrosse mentors to me. They both have amazing knowledge and have taught me so many important things such as how to play defense correctly and how to get the ball in the back of the net. I would not be the player I am today without them.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 21 for Carroll lacrosse – why did you pick that number?
A: I picked that number because my older sister Grace wore that number in high school.
Q: What has been your most memorable lacrosse experience outside of Archbishop Carroll?
A: My most memorable lacrosse experience outside of Archbishop Carroll would be playing for the USA U18 team. This experience allowed me to play with the best of the best in high school lacrosse while representing the USA. It was unforgettable and I will forever cherish being able to wear the red, white, and blue.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Archbishop Carroll? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: My favorite academic course at Carroll is all of the math classes that I have taken. I will be going in the college undecided on my major but will focus more on business and finance.
Fun facts – Ava Bleckley
Favorite TV show: Friends.
Favorite movie: Stepbrothers.
Favorite athlete: Tyrese Maxey.
Favorite team: Sixers.
Place to visit: Avalon, N.J.
Favorite pregame meal: Wawa soft pretzel.
Person I admire most: “My older sister Grace.”
Family members: Parents Jon and Stacey, older sister Grace, younger sister Chloe.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
