Toxic Shock- LVRG's Skater of the Month

She looks fear in the eye and can skate through fire. She dips and weaves with offensive aggression and has made herself a name in the short time she has been with the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls (LVRG). She is none other than LVRG’s Toxic Shock, #1222.

This jammer extraordinaire came to LVRG recently as a transfer from Susquehanna and hasn’t stopped improving since she got here.  As one of LVRG’s WFTDA Charter skaters, Toxic has proven to be a force on the track that is here to stay.

A role model herself, we asked Toxic who her role models are in roller derby. She stated “Bonnie Thunders; she can move through a pack like nothing I have ever seen before. And she can jump the apex so high and get so far. Her skating style is beautiful! Also, Suzy Hotrod. Everything about her. She can jam, she can block, is there anything she can't do? And lastly, Juke Boxx. She was one of the first skaters that stood out to me. She can do some of the most amazing tricks and skate in ways that don't look natural at all but can get her to where she needs to be in a jam.”

Toxic has been playing roller derby for a few seasons, and when asked about her proudest derby moment, this is how she replied. “Playing my first bout with LVRG and being MVP. That was an exciting moment. Or one of the first scrimmages I ever went to at Gotham when I was maybe 4 months into derby and being noticed and being told that I am short and skate awkwardly. It was more of a funny moment but I got noticed by a more famous derby girl and to me while being that new was a pretty big moment!”

Toxic is one of those “never say quit” skaters that is always pushing herself to do better.  She states as some of her personal goals:to not only become a much better jammer and blocker, but she aspires to one day make it on Team USA.

Fast Facts about Toxic Shock:

1.       She does freelance photography

2.       She collects rubber ducks and license plates

3.       She loves Disney movies and musicals

4.       She loves to sing and do karaoke

5.       She loves animals, dogs especially


Looking ahead to see Toxic Shock skate, LVRG’s Special Vixens Unit will be traveling to New York to play Ithaca League of Women Rollers on August 10th. 

Find us online at: http://www.lehighvalleyrollergirls.com
 
All functions will be held at the Independence Family Fun Center, 4345 Independence Dr, Schnecksville, PA.

For more information about becoming a skater or official, contact us at join@lehighvalleyrollergirls.com

A big thank you to all of the volunteers, officials, friends, and family that make our team the best in the Lehigh Valley. This is as much your team as it is ours. Thank you.

LVRG vs. New River Valley Roller Girls Bout Wrap Up- 7/13/13

Traveling over 7 hours from Christianburg, VA, the New River Valley Roller Girls (NRV) made their way to the Lehigh Valley this weekend to play the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls’ (LVRG) Hissy Fits. Coming into the game, the ladies from New River Valley were the heavy favorites. Not only were they seated higher than LVRG in the WFTDA rankings, but flattrackstats.com’s score predictor gave NRV an advantage of scoring 21 points to LVRG’s 17 points.

From the first whistle, it looked as if NRV was going to blow LVRG away with their strong opening. In the first jam, LVRG’s jammer immediately got a track cutting major. NRV took fast advantage of this with an early 24-3 lead in the first jam. With LVRG’s jammer returning to play in the second jam of the game, she got another penalty almost immediately and was sent to the box for a back block major.  NRV yet again capitalized on this power jam advantage and raced the score up to 54-4 by the end of only the second jam.

Fans and skaters from LVRG knew this was going to be a tough game coming into it, but no one was prepared for a 51 point lead only 3 minutes into the game with 57 minutes left to go.  Slowly, jam after jam, LVRG started chipping away at NRV’s lead. After those first two jams, LVRG continued to secure lead jammer status and gained easily 1, 2, 3 and 4 points by calling off the jam before NRV could score anything.   LVRG caught up to and surpassed NRV about half way through the first half of game play with a score of 54-63 and never looked back.  

LVRG MVP Arista Crash

After LVRG’s come back, NRV found their jammers getting multiple penalties sending them to the penalty box and giving LVRG many power jams.  LVRG shut down NRV in the first half, not allowing them anymore but 9 additional points after the first 2 jams of game play. At the same time, LVRG aggressively racked up points resulting in a half time score advantage of 150 (LVRG) to 63 (NRRG).

The second half of game play was just as feverish as the first. With benches changing sides, and NRV still being the heavy favorite, it was still anyone’s game.  LVRG however, came out playing like they were going to work. LVRG, continuing to get lead jammer status, kept up with their 1,2,3,4 jammer quick call off strategy and pushed the point spread wider and wider, out of reach for NRV to catch up.

With some penalties on the LVRG side, NRV was able to score some good power jam points.  However it wasn’t enough, as the game brought a solid win for LVRG with a final score of 286-120.  Since this was such a large upset to the much favored NRV, LVRG will see a good increase in their rankings on both the WFTDA rankings (about 10 rankings) and flattrackstats.com rankings (LVRG increased 30.7 points).

Wayward Stay, Daisy Destructo and Double Barrel Hot Gunz

The MVPs of the game go to LVRG’s #331 Arista Crash and to NRV’s #77 Baby’s Got Smack.

Looking ahead, the Hissy Fits do not play again until the meet up with the Salisbury Rollergirls All-Stars on 8/24/13. But before that, LVRG’s Special Vixens Unit will be traveling to New York to play Ithaca League of Women Rollers.

Find us online at: http://www.lehighvalleyrollergirls.com

All functions will be held at the Independence Family Fun Center, 4345 Independence Dr, Schnecksville, PA.

For more information about becoming a skater or official, contact us at join@lehighvalleyrollergirls.com

A big thank you to all of the volunteers, officials, friends, and family that make our team the best in the Lehigh Valley. This is as much your team as it is ours. Thank you.