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.

LVRG vs. Auld Reekie Roller Girls - Bout Wrap Up - 6/27/13

Traveling over 3300 miles, United Kingdom’s Auld Reekie Roller Girls (ARRG) overcame jet lag and some mild culture shock last night to play against the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls (LVRG). 

From the first whistle, Auld Reekie’s team, the Twisted Thistles, were no joke and immediately gained lead jammer status and a 14-0 advantage.  But immediately after, LVRG’s jammer Toxic Shock was escorted through the pack by blockers Hell Razin’ Hussy and Loogie Vuitton to respond by getting lead jammer status for LVRG. 

The game play went back and forth for a few jams, building the score up to 51-37 (ARRG) after 15 minutes passed in the first half. However, the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls quickly regained composure and took advantage of the Auld Reekie’s blockers getting penalties.  With the help of LVRG jammers Betty Switch and Ginga Railed U, LVRG caught up and became the points leader with a score of 58-67.

LVRG’s blockers Evol Kitty and Rose Beef (before having her jersey ripped) showed their strategic skills by forcing cut majors on the jammers from Edinburgh, which helped LVRG capitalize on some much needed power jams. With 3 minutes left in the first half of game play, LVRG was up in points 65-90.  LVRG blockers, lead by Captain Lin Diesel, Levelin Levi, Helen DaRink and Daisy Destructo, held ARRG to a tight score by forming solid defensive walls and pushing out their jammers. The score at the end of the first half favored LVRG, 77-94.

At the start of the second half, ARRG came out with intensity lead by jammer Admiral Attackbar #1111 and by some deadly hitting by blocker Minnie Riot #7.  This burst of energy from ARRG resulted in some much needed points, which caught the score up to 97-98 (LVRG) with 24 minutes left in the game.  Soon after, LVRG’s Chikki Sixx showed some impressive blocking holding back ARRG’s jammer and giving LVRG’s MJ SlamHer the opportunity to score points.

LVRG found themselves with some penalty trouble late in the second half, which opened the door for the Auld Reekie Roller girls. ARRG used this advantage and creeped their score up to 112-98 with 20 minutes left in the half.  LVRG Jammer Arista Crash did her best to fight through the pack and get lead, and nudged LVRG’s score up again by a few points.

With a win still within reach, LVRG got penalty heavy sending both blockers and jammers to the penalty box giving ARRG some power jams.  Auld Reekie’s Twisted Thistles showed no mercy and pulled ahead to a 160-106 lead by taking advantage of their power jams.  With 6 minutes left in the half, ARRG was awarded two additional power jams and closed the door on LVRG.  The final score brought a win to ARRG with a final score of 190-123.

MVPs:

LVRG- Betty Switch # 90 (Jammer) , Evol Kitty #150 (Blocker)

ARRG- Admiral Attackbar #1111 (Jammer), Mo B Quick #66 (Blocker)

Looking ahead, the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls’ next game is on July 13^th against New River Valley Roller Derby from Christianburg, VA.

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.

All photos are by Christie Winkler.

SVU vs. Iron Mountain Roller Girls Bout Wrap Up - 6/15/13

This past Saturday, the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls’ Special Vixens Unit (SVU) traveled to Cumberland, MD to face off against the Iron Mountain Roller Girls.  Iron Mountain was a complete wild card of a team going into this bout, as we had no information as to what LVRG was getting into by accepting their challenge to bout.  

From the first whistle, SVU broke away with an early 13 to 1 lead over the Iron Mountain Roller Girls. This lead was secured by all three of SVU’s main Jammers; MJ SlamHer, Arista Crash and Thelma Van.   In the back of the pack, blockers Stella Mac and Daisy Destructo were noticeable anchors to a strong LVRG wall, which helped to push the Special Vixens Unit score up to 65 to 5 by the 8^th jam.  In a quick change up, the Iron Mountain Roller Girls made a minor adjustment to their strategy and caught up a little bit by capitalizing on a few power jams.

 

Half way through the first half, the score was 83-31 (SVU).  SVU was dominating at the jam line with blockers Tortellina Temptress, She Rocks, DTainHer and Beck-N-Hateher supporting a solid defensive wall. At the end of the first half, the score was 168-64, favoring LVRG.

In the second half of game play, SVU decided to rotate in new jammers lead by Captain Wayward Stay.   Wayward’s aggressiveness on the track proved that she was there to produce points, and did so LVRG's other Jammers, Double Barrel Hot Gunz and Maulecule (getting lead jammer in her first SVU away bout).   The score continued to climb to 250 to 127. With the Iron Mountain Roller Girls’s Jammer in the penalty box, LVRG Jammer Kate “Bananas” Santee, produced a big power jam for LVRG. The crowd went crazy with excitement as Kate skated since this was her very first bout with the league.  The Special Vixens Unit continued to power through the second half of game play and secured the win with a final score of 269-142.

Kate "Bananas" Santee

Looking ahead, LVRG’s Hissy Fits will be playing a closed bout on June 27^th against United Kingdom’s Auld Reekie Roller Girls, the Twisted Thistles.  

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.

All photos are by Christie Winkler.