Roller Derby with Betty Switch- LVRG vs GMDD 10/27/12

This Saturday, October 27^th, the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls (LVRG) will be closing out their 2012 Hissy Fits’ season by competing against Vermont’s Green Mountain Derby Dames (GMDD). Seated four positions higher in the east coast WFTDA rankings than LVRG, the Green Mountain Derby Dames are looking to repeat their 2011 win against the Hissy Fits. However, not only has the game of roller derby evolved since last season with more knee down starts and more strategic play, but there are also fresh faces on each team’s roster that add an unpredictability factor for this weekend’s game. The Green Mountain Derby Dames are travelling to the Lehigh Valley with eight returning skaters from last year, while LVRG is returning with nine, adding a power line up of skaters to the mix including Rose Beef, Levilin Levi, Parker Paxa Punch, Phish Tahko, and rookie Betty Switch. With her Hissy Fit debut just days away, we sat down with Jammer Betty Switch to ask her about her thoughts on joining the team.



Switch in the Circus

     ‘Switch’ tried out for LVRG in February of this year and is often heard stating, “I feel like I was made to play this sport.” With a background in cirus acrobatics, it seemed like a natural fit for Switch to join such an athletic sport. Whoooah, hold the presses, did we just say the circus? Yes, when Switch was only seven, she went to a summer camp where a traveling circus would come and train the kids in a few circus acts. For many summers, Switch was apart of the circus in a roller skating act, a stationary trapeze, the lira, the Spanish web, she did fire-eating, performed on the trampoline, did juggling, and much more.  All of those acrobatic acts definitely have paid off, as Switch has found her way to become one of LVRG’s rising Jammers, juking and traversing her way through through tough packs.

      Betty Switch explains jamming as being “both scary and exhilarating, for the same reasons. You are the target.  There are four girls (usually big, ridiculously strong girls) all with the single goal of hitting you as hard as they can, knocking you on your rear, and waiting until you have just enough footing to do it all over again.”  What does she enjoy about roller derby? She says that she not only loves her teammates for their strength and their “do what they believe in, don’t take crap from anyone” attitudes, but she also loves fighting through and breaking out of the pack to score points for her team.  Betty Switch may be new to the sport, but she certainly will be making a name for herself this weekend as she is certainly what her teammates describe her; fearless.

The Lehigh Valley Rollergirls play the Green Mountain Derby Dames this Saturday, October 27^th, at the Independent Family Fun Center located at 4345 Independence Drive, Schnecksville, PA 18078.  The doors open at 5:00p.m. and the game whistle starts at 6:00p.m.  For more information, check out the LVRG website at www.lehighvalleyrollergirls.com or for tickets, you can order them early through Brown Paper Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/277847.

LVRG May Bout Wrap Up

The month of May certainly was a challenge for the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls (LVRG), travelling over 1800 miles and stepping up to the jam line against three strong opponents; the Susquehanna Valley Derby Vixens, the Philadelphia Cheesekates, and South Carolina’s Columbia Quad Squad. Lehigh Valley’s Special Vixens Unit (SVU) started the month out strong against Susquehanna Valley with a big win scoring 172-111. The bout began at a fast pace with early leadership from veteran MeBust U Up who helped to establish the Lehigh Valley dominance on the track.  Jammer Catalina Spine Mixer scored easy points with her fast footwork and with the help from the MVP of the game, Stella McHurtye, who blocked with a vengeance.  This bout was a great game to prepare the SVU team for their hardest game of the season the following week against the Philadelphia Cheeseskates.

LVRG vs Columbia Quad Squad

In the bout against the Cheeseskates, LVRG knew that we would be the underdog coming into the bout. The first half was a tough fight.  Captain D.TainHer lead her team as a Pivot to fight hard in the first 20 minutes of the game, holding Philadelphia to a 26-24 lead. Philadelphia changed up their strategy right before half time, giving the SVU little time to react. Soon after, the SVU started to get into a little bit of trouble, physically and with penalties. Jammer Ginga Railed U, MVP of the game, continued to score points as our blockers rotated in and out of the penalty box. Overall, with more experience and endurance, the Philadelphia Cheeseskates pulled out a win, 168-86.

To round out the end of May, the Lehigh Valley Hissy Fits traveled to South Carolina to battle the toughest team played in LVRG history. The undefeated Columbia Quad Squad team was surely a class act. They played smart, strong and were exactly the right opponent LVRG was looking to play in order to test themselves. From the very first whistle, every blocker on each team was physically committed to bringing home a win. Walls were tight and hard to break down. Columbia’s jammers were agile on their feet and quick to adapt to the changes in LVRG’s strategy.  There were injuries early and injuries often, as both teams were aggressive and eager to earn the lead jammer status. Columbia proved to be the undefeated team that they are and capitalized when they had the opportunity in every jam pass by winning 255-42.

Looking ahead, the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls will face each other in their first ever intra-league battle. There will be no friends at that bout. We all know each others’ tricks, trade moves and weaknesses, and we will certainly use that information against each other. The first ever LVRG intra-league bout will be held on June 9^th at 6:00p.m. at the Independence Family Fun Center in Schnecksville, PA.  Looking to July, on the 14^th, the Lehigh Valley Hissy Fits will be hosting Charm City’s Female Trouble. This bout should be very close matched as both teams have about the same amount of experience on the track.  We expect this game to be a back and forth game filled with excitement. Come see all of our home bouts at Independence Family Fun Center in Schnecksville, PA or find more information online at www.lehighvalleyrollergirls.com.  

LVRG vs Garden State Post Game Wrap Up

4/14/12

If you missed the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls’ (LVRG) Hissy Fits bout this weekend against Garden State’s Iron Bound Maidens, then you missed a real battle that was undecided until the very last seconds of the game. LVRG was prepared for a physical game and Garden State brought just that. From the very beginning, the Iron Bound Maidens initiated their signature knee down jam starts to try to throw off Lehigh Valley.  However, LVRG strategically countered their tactics by positioning themselves to secure lead jammer status on numerous occasions. LVRG jammers Happy Feet and Vanilla CreamHer took advantage of this and absorbed some early points in the first half while they had the opportunity. 

In the second half, Garden State recognized LVRG as a true threat and made the decision to only field power line ups, making the game that much more physical. Blockers Chikki Sixx, and Loogie Vuitton were persistent as LVRG’s work horses and continued to slow down the opposing jammer. Also playing an important role were pivots Helen Darink and Hell Razin’ Hussy, who kept control of their packs in order to keep a tight score the entire game. During the last few minutes of the game, LVRG found themselves in penalty trouble, costing them valuable points. The game literally was decided by the last jam of the night, with less than 30 seconds left on the clock. Garden State, with a 4 point lead, was able to establish lead jammer status and call of the jam before LVRG had an opportunity to score any more points. The final score was 116-120, Garden State.

The Lehigh Valley Hissy Fits’ next WFTDA sanctioned game will be held on May 19^th when they travel to Columbus, SC to play the Columbia Quad Squad. Although Columbia’s team is ranked much higher than LVRG in most reported standings; Columbia is an unknown wildcard. There is little information about Columbia available and no record of their style of play or their longer term history. LVRG is going to have to pack every little trick up their sleeve for this long distance trip over 650 miles away.

In the upcoming weeks, LVRG will also be shifting gears and focusing on their second team, the Special Vixens Unit (SVU).  SVU will be opening their season by traveling to Williamsport, PA on May 5th to play the Susquehanna Valley Derby Vixens. Both teams should be equally matched, however, expect some surprises coming from LVRG’s up and coming skaters. Following this bout, the SVU team, led by Captain Tortelina Temptress, will play back to back games as they head to Philadelphia, PA the next week to bout against the Philly Cheeseskates on May 12th.

Rose Beef, A1
Lehigh Valley Rollergirls 

LVRG vs HARD Post Game Wrap Up

3/31/12

The Lehigh Valley Hissy Fits took commanding control early in the first half, establishing a clear dominance that set the pace for the rest of the game. Veteran jammer, Vanilla CreamHer, along with second season jammers Lauranimal and Happy Feet, displayed exceptional focus and skill in racking up points to get LVRG an early lead in the first half of the game.

In the second half of the game, H.A.R.D. adjusted their approach and brought a more physically demanding game to the table.  However, their strategy change did not come without an answer from LVRG.  Heavy hitters Lin Diesel, and Levilin Levi responded to this intensified pressure from H.A.R.D. by strategically using their partnering skills to protect LVRG’s lead.  Overall, this season opener introduced and reflected LVRG’s new attitude towards strength, commitment, and teamwork.  The Lehigh Valley Rollergirls took home their first WFTDA sanctioned win against H.A.R.D. 155-136.

Looking ahead to the next game of the season, LVRG will be playing the Garden State Iron Bound Maidens on April 14th. Garden State has an unpredictability factor that LVRG will certainly need to respect.  LVRG has not played Garden State in a few years; however, the teams have bouted some of the same opponents during the 2011 season.

In the past, both teams have won against the opponents, yet the point spreads have been significantly different.  Pound for pound, both teams are equally matched in ability, experience, and strength.  The deciding factor for this game on April 14th will rely heavily on the quickness of the jammers and each team’s strategical play.

Get your tickets early; we are expecting another packed house for this exciting game against Garden State.

Rose Beef, A1
Lehigh Valley Rollergirls