Evansville, IN

by Shelly Shankya

With point surges and strong power jam capitalization, Nashville Rollergirls (seed 8, #31) of Nashville, Tennessee, USA pulled off an upset, defeating Steel City Roller Derby (seed 7, #28) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA in Game 10, 214-151.

Photo by Donna Olmstead

Teams vied for point footing in the opening jams of the game, trading lead jammer status back and forth, as the blockers held jammers for moments on end. Nashville blocker Maulin’ Monroe had an especially strong hold over Steel City jammer Rock Hard Candy, which forced Rock to complete a star pass to pivot Leannibal Lecter in an attempt to staunch the point bleed by Nashville’s jammer Chelsea Dagger. Two back-to-back penalties for Nashville jammers gave Steel City what they needed: points. However, in jams 8-13, Nashville rallied to gain the lead that they never let go of, scoring on a 51-26 point run.

“I love the star pass, especially as pivot,” Nashville blocker and pivot Lady Fury said. “If you’re tired, pass it. If you’re stuck and can’t get out, pass it. It’s just a great way to get someone fresh.”

Steel City didn’t make it easy for Nashville, though, as blockers Dakota Slamming and Hurricane Heather, teamed with pivot Athena, fought to keep the Nashville jammers on their toes. Athena forced a track cut on jammer Big Banger as the opening half waned, but Steel City jammer Rock Hard Candy couldn’t capitalize during the power jam. At the half, Nashville led the Steel City skaters by 29 points, 101-72.

The light at the end of their tunnel showed briefly as Steel City skated in the second half, scoring on a 38-0 run in three consecutive jams. The loss of Snot Rocket Science for nearly 10 minutes of the second half, however, was problematic for the Steel City skaters. Snot was out on an ankle injury, but she returned with 20:00 left to skate. She returned as a blocker, however, not as the powerhouse jammer on whom Steel City relies.

“[This win] is nothing but practice,” Fury said. “It’s repetition and skating the basics. We’re working really hard, and it’s showing.”

In the end Steel City didn’t quite have the wherewithal to defeat the ladies from Music City. The Nashville Rollergirls managed an upset, defeating the #7 seed 214-151.

Nashville Rollergirls (seed 8, #31) moves on to play for 5th Place on Sunday.

Steel City Roller Derby (seed 7, #28) will play for 7th Place.

Final Score

(8) Nashville Rollergirls 214
(7) Steel City Roller Derby 151