When Fisher and her dad learned lacrosse had been added to the 2028 Summer Olympics, they began exploring ways for Sammy to continue her playing career with Israel's national team. Her Jewish roots made her eligible to compete for the country, and through her dad's connections, she got in touch with Israel's women's lacrosse program. 

 

Fisher traveled to Poland last summer to play in an exhibition festival with the women's national team. After falling in love with the program at the event, Fisher applied for Israeli citizenship and moved to the country in November with the hope of playing on some of the sport's biggest stages. 

 

Just over a year after her journey with Israel's lacrosse program began, Fisher helped the country win its first-ever European Box Lacrosse title earlier this month. The reality of playing lacrosse at the international level has not yet sunk in for Fisher.  

 

"This is crazy. I keep going back to that word. It's just crazy," Fisher said. "I can't believe this is my life now." 

 

Fisher was a four-year standout at Elon from 2022-25 and scored 158 points with the Phoenix, the third-most in program history. A two-time All-CAA selection, her 128 goals are also the second-most by an Elon player. 

 

However, transitioning from a prolific field lacrosse career at Elon to box lacrosse was a significant adjustment for Fisher. Box lacrosse is played indoors on a surface the size of a hockey rink and features more checking, with players wearing full pads and helmets. Fisher said she had to rethink many of the instincts she developed while playing field lacrosse. 

 

"When I first started playing box lacrosse, I was like, this is not my thing. It really got me out of my comfort zone," Fisher said. "It's a completely different fundamental game." 

 

Fisher began to better understand the nuances of box lacrosse through additional practice and preparation. With the help of her coaches and teammates, she felt she was ready to compete at the European Box Championship. 

 

Fisher played an important role in Israel's offense as the team made its way through the tournament. She led the team with 11 assists and finished the event with 23 points as Israel won all eight of its games on the way to the title. In the championship game against Germany, Israel overcame an early deficit to win 10-1 and secure its first-ever European crown. 

 

"It was a little bit of a shock, but it was also a long time coming for us, and we deserved this," Fisher said. "We worked really hard. It was more like relief, like a weight off our shoulders. We did it. We just made history." 
 

 Fisher and her teammates received gold medals after winning the championship game. Winning a gold medal in her first major tournament appearance was a special moment for Fisher. 

 

"To see all of the hard work in this little tangible object is so cool," Fisher said. "That medal represents everything I've done since I moved here and since I started playing lacrosse. Everything goes into that one little medal, but it means so much to us and means so much to the organization." 

 

Fisher is now looking ahead to the World Lacrosse Women's Championship later this month in Tokyo, Japan, after being one of 22 athletes selected to Israel's roster. The tournament features 16 of the world's top field lacrosse nations competing for the most prestigious international title in the women's game. 

 

The tournament will run from July 24-Aug. 2, with Israel competing in Pool D with the Czech Republic, Japan and the Philippines. All games at the tournament can be streamed here. 

 

"It's going to be the largest tournament I've ever played in," Fisher said. "I'm really excited to represent Israel in such a big way." 

 

After competing in the world championship, Fisher hopes to make Israel's roster for the European Sixes Championship this fall in Spain. She ultimately has her sights set on playing for Israel at the 2028 Olympics in the United States. 

 

Elon head coach Josh Hexter worked with Fisher throughout her four-year career with the Phoenix. He said he is not surprised by the success Fisher has experienced early in her international lacrosse career. 

 

"She is an amazing athlete who has the skill and determination to be as good as she wants to be," Hexter said. "I'm just proud that I was able to have been her coach and will always be a lifelong friend." 

 

As Fisher continues her lacrosse career with Team Israel, she remains grateful for her time at Elon and how it shaped her into the player she has become. 

 

"I wouldn't be here without Elon," Fisher said. "Coach Hexter has given me an unbelievable skill set to fall back on. I feel like him, the other coaches and all of my teammates from my four years have really lifted me up and helped me become the lacrosse player I am today." 

 

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