Dallas, TX

by Shelly Shankya

The anticipation for Game 12, the second of the semi-final games of the 2015 International WFTDA Division Playoffs in Dallas, Texas, mounted to a fever pitch at the Irving Convention Center, as the Texas Rollergirls (#2) fought for a ticket to Championships against Philly Roller Derby (#3).

Photo by Duane Baker

Numerous anomalies occurred as the minutes rolled down on the period clock; Vanessa “V-Diva” Sites accrued three back-to-back jammer penalties, as did Texas jammer Bloody Mary. These two, typically clean skaters, sat in the box as the opposing team's blockers jockeyed on the track for position. Texas ran into some blocker penalties in the opening minutes of the second jam, as well, bleeding two to the box. Philly jammer Herrmann Monster had lead, but the remaining blockers didn’t give their points away. Texecutioner blocker Freight Train gave Herrmann a ride on the “freight train,” sending the jammer to the floor. And while the Liberty Belles took an early lead, the Texas Rollergirls pulled a lead change that lasted three jams by jam six; the lead change made possible by jammer and captain Fifi Nomenon. A 13-point run by Philly jammer Kilmartin nabbed them lead and they held on to it for the remaining of the first period.

Pack power was in full effect during the game, which was no surprise to the spectators. On more than one occasion, the pack was nearly stopped for 45-plus seconds as the blockers gave jammers, and each other, the blunt-end of a season of blocking drills. Philly blockers Ginger Vitus and Tarantula had two and three-person braces to hold back jammer Hauss the Boss. And for Texas, blockers Freight Train, Smarty Pants, and Molotov M. Pale held Philly jammer Herrmann for the entirety of the penultimate jam of the period. The hold from the Texas blockers looked to be enough for the Texecutioners to hold the lead going into half, but V-Diva made short work of the pack as Texas jammer Olivia Shootin’ John stood stymied in the Philly pack; she passed the helmet cover to Polly Gone, pivot for Texas, but the damage was already done. V-Diva scored 11 points in the final jam of the first, securing Philly’s lead going into the 15-minute half.

“We took the time to remind ourselves who we are at the half,” Texas veteran blocker Smarty Pants said. “We reminded ourselves to play our game.”

Photo by Donalee Eiri

Any timidity Texas felt during the first period was summarily shrugged off during the second period. Seizing lead jammer status for the first four of five jams, Texas put a crack in the confidence of the Liberty Belles. With three double-digit jams totaling 47 points in the first 10 minutes of the second period, Texas took the lead with something to prove in their home state. And make a statement, they did. Strategic losses for Philly, both from blockers and jammers, paved the way for the Texecutioners to extend their time in the lead, a time that lasted through the final whistle.

“We’ve had a consistent, small roster for the last several years, but for this tournament we had tryouts, and that changed some things for us,” Smarty Pants said. “Freight Train started to wear the star more, which let me get back into the pack, and Hauss came back from injury.”

After blanking Philly for a total of 12 jams in the half’s 20, Texas secured their spot at Championships. For seeding, though, they’ll play Rose City Rollers (#1) Sunday at 6:00 p.m. in the Championship game of the tournament. Philly Roller Derby will move on to play Rat City (#4) at 4:00 on Sunday for the three-spot, which will (or won’t) send them on to the 2015 International WFTDA Championships in St. Paul, Minn.

“We’re going to play our game tomorrow,” Smarty Pants said.

FINAL SCORE

Texas Rollergirls (#2) 203
Philly Roller Derby (#3) 99