Emi Bisson spent her tenure with Valley Regional being one of the more stronger and decorated players in the girls’ lacrosse program. Utilizing the ultimate asset of confidence gained from that time, she is well on her way to being the same caliber player on a collegiate level.

After being introduced to lacrosse in the 1st grade through her father, the Valley Regional Class of 2022 graduate spent her four years with the Warriors deeply entrenched in athletics, being a member of the volleyball and girls’ lacrosse squads. On the lax turf, she was a two-time First Team All-Shoreline selection–while also being named the league’s Player of the Year in 2022. After also being named First Team All-State and Academic All-State in 2022, she continued her playing career with Mount Holyoke.

Most recently in only her sophomore season, Emi cracked the 100 career-point threshold on March 19. This comes on the heels of a freshman campaign that saw her nab 68 points on 48 goals and 20 assists. She was also on the top one hundred list for the NCAA Division III players in the nation last season for points per game, and top 5 in the NEWMAC (New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference) in terms of points per game.

“My dad has been a huge inspiration to me; he played lacrosse in college and loved it. I also just love how the game is played,” says Emi. “100 points is definitely a big accomplishment, but I never looked at my stats, so this was surprising to me. My goal is simply to do my best to help my team win. It is a big honor, but I have to give credit to my team, coaches, and family. This achievement is very exciting.”

The motion of the action is at much more of a break-neck speed to Emi when she compares and contrasts her high school and college experiences. Still, she is an ultimate athlete and gamer, and she honestly draws positive emotion from the grind, rather than anxiety.

“The pace of the game is definitely different in college; the whole thing is different,” Emi says. “The team here is very young, because we have three seniors this year and had none last year, so we are in a rebuilding phase now. The pace is much faster in college and more competitive, but I enjoy it because it is exciting and thrilling.”

When it comes to tackling any hurdles, whether it be creating the perfect pass or the soundest snipe to score, it is all in one’s head, per Emi. She also notes that going from one end of the team success spectrum to the other in one year’s time can foster greater personal growth.

“I have always felt things are mind over matter, and I have learned that a lot more in college,” says Emi. “We had two losses I believe for the Valley team my senior year, and we faced a lot more losses last year at Holyoke. It has made me tougher mentally and I have gained experiences through the losses. For the team, we are working our hardest to become the team we want to be. For me, I have gained confidence in driving to the net more. Through my experience and taking on a role on the team as that veteran player, I have grown that confidence to drive. I also just have that drive to want to win games.”

Mount Holyoke women’s lacrosse Head Coach Annie O’Byrne takes great satisfaction in seeing Emi reach this personal threshold. The early timing of it speaks volumes to additional targets she looks to hit moving forward.

“As a coach, witnessing Emi break the 100 career-point threshold fills me with immense pride. Beyond her undeniable talent and love for the game, it's her unparalleled work ethic and dedication that truly set her apart,” says O’Byrne. “Emi sets a high standard for herself and the team but never fails to embody it through her actions. This achievement speaks volumes about her commitment to the sport, her teammates, and our collective success. Seeing her reach this milestone so early in her career is incredibly exciting, and I cannot wait to see what her future holds.”

Emi’s swagger to score and courage to crash the cage had its genesis through her days as a Warrior. She notes that with the perfect foundation of encouragement from all facets of the Valley family, Emi became an unstoppable player with the right mindset.

“Valley girls’ lacrosse was such a huge memory for me,” Emi says. “I loved playing with my teammates, and we were all very close. I will forever hold fond memories of my time there. [Former Head] Coach Randy Netsch was great, and I felt supported by my teammates, him, and my family. I gained that confidence that I carried to college.”

The regimen of a college athlete is certainly a rigorous one that never slows down. Though Emi again harnesses that demanding slate as a positive in order to build a hearty work ethic that will serve her well for many years. Through sports, she has gained the importance of being stoic in the heat of battles while keeping colleagues close.

“It is definitely a balance being a student athlete, but I think I am doing a good job so far. The experience is helping me grow as an individual. Being that student athlete takes grit and determination, which helps build character for the future,” says Emi. “Sports taught me so much about life. I learned how big having composure is, along with that mind over matter. Relationships with teammates, coaches, and parents are also important throughout the journey of life.”