Emma Banks and Avery MacMullen: Linked Laxers

In addition, they both have played on the club team Nor’easter Lacrosse for the past four years.

The two players have been recognized for their talents. Both have been New England Preparatory School Athletic Council All-Star Team members, MacMullen once and Banks twice. Last year, they were both named New Haven Register’s All-Area Women’s Lacrosse players. In addition, Banks and MacMullen were awarded college scholarships by Nor’easter. For the past two years, MacMullen has been Hopkins’ leading scorer and assister.

MacMullen and Banks have  formed a close friendship. MacMullen said, “We’ve traveled around a lot together for lacrosse.  There have been times when I’ve spent months straight spending every single day with Emma, and we’ve truly grown up together with the sport.” Coach Eric Mueller said, “Emma and Avery are two peas in a pod. They are inseparable off the field and they share a love and a passion for the game of lacrosse.”

Their friendship has contributed to their ability to work together on the field. Assistant Coach Kristen Wich said, “ I imagine other teams find them a difficult duo to defend.... They just know each other’s strengths and raise the level of play for themselves, and everyone around them.”

Banks and MacMullen have impacted the rest of the team. Dunia Habboosh ’17 said, “Emma is a dedicated and multitalented player who can do so many things on the field whether in the attack zone or playing defense. Libby Gardner ’18 said, “Ave is by far our best scorer on the team but she is always humble and supportive on and off the field.” As much as this power team has given to Hopkins Lacrosse, they have taken away.

Banks said, “One day, our team was having a talk after losing a few games in a row and Coach Wich  said that, when she was in high school her team was in the same boat. They weren’t the best in their league but one day they decided they could be. They started a culture of believing in themselves and now her high school team usually wins the championship. I was inspired by that story and really believe that positive energy means so much in sports.”