Columbia, SC

By Darci “Ninja” McAfee

Coming off yesterday’s 4-point heartbreaker loss to 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Columbia hosts Columbia QuadSquad, the #9 seed Ann Arbor Derby Dimes of Ann Arbor, Michigan, had high hopes against the #6 seed Santa Cruz Derby Girls of Santa Cruz, California, who suffered their own Friday night loss against #3 seed Denver Roller Derby of Denver, Colorado. But the crushing waves of Santa Cruz’s defense left the Brawl Stars stranded, and Santa Cruz advances with a 216-107 win.

By Whacks Poetic

Columbia QuadSquad Rollergirls of Columbia, South Carolina had to fight for their opportunity to play the headliner game at home on Friday night of 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Columbia. Their come-from-behind last jam win against Rainy City Roller Derby from Manchester, England earlier today saw them facing the 2015 WFTDA Champion Rose City Rollers from Portland, Oregon. While Rose City is ranked fourth in the WFTDA, they are serious Hydra contenders again this year and demonstrated why, winning the game 439-67.

By Darci “Ninja” McAfee

Game 5 of the 2016 International WFTDA D1 Playoffs in Columbia saw the #4 seed, ranked #16 internationally, Atlanta Rollergirls Dirty South Derby Girls from Atlanta, Georgia, USA face off against the #5 seed, ranked #19 internationally, Crime City Rollers from Malmo, Sweden.

By Whacks Poetic

Rainy City Roller Derby from Manchester, England won the honor of playing this bout, defeating 10th seed Steel City Roller Derby, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the first game of 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Columbia. The 2nd seed, Jacksonville RollerGirls, from Jacksonville, Florida, had a bye in the first round, making this their first game of the day. While Rainy City could not pull out a win, they put up an impressive performance against the higher ranked team and did well in their first game at WFTDA Playoffs. In the end, Jacksonville took the game 214-96.

by Merry Khaos

After a raucous ending to the previous game, the energy in the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center was electric at 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Columbia. Both Denver Roller Derby’s Mile High Club of Denver, CO, USA and Santa Cruz Derby Girls’ Boardwalk Bombshells of Santa Cruz, CA, USA were as amped up as the crowd was and ready to roll. The first jam was an expulsion of all the tension with TARAism of Santa Cruz gaining lead first, with Wilhelm on her heels causing a quick call off. From there, both teams settled into the game and their strategies.