Dollz and Dames Clash in Sioux City

Sioux Falls Roller Dollz edge out Victory in Sioux City – March 10th, 2012

It was a showdown 5 years in the making: since the Roller Dames inception in 2007, the team has played an annual match against the Dollz. And in those many seasons, none has been so close nor as fierce as the game play last night. The Dames, newly inducted as full members in the WFTDA, were bitter from their loss against Omaha the night before, and it showed on the track. Familiar faces like skaters Sum Mo Pain, P.B.R. and Dubbs came on the track with hard hits and dynamic blocks against the Dollz.

Fans noticed that the Dames spent most jams starting in a scrum, or near the rear of the pack on the jam line. The Dames' strategy was to start from a knee, therefore immediately destroying the pack and thus starting the jam right away. Though the strategy would snag the jammers momentarily, the Dollz were waiting in front of the Dames with a wall of defense to stop the jammer themselves. The Dollz played their veteran blockers Frenchi Fistfighter #78, Betsy Wrecksie #76, Dazzer #420, Rendez Vaudoux #13, Applicious #3.14 and Cutthroat Cypher #916 heavy throughout the game, as well as rookie Bonebrakeher #21.

The Dollz pulled an early lead but the Dames were never more than 20 points behind, nipping at their heels. After the first fifteen minutes, the Dollz were establishing a more solid lead until a Dames power jam managed to separate the two teams but just eleven points at the half. In roller derby, a "power jam" is any jam where one of the team's blockers are serving time in the penalty box; whichever team has the lone jammer on the track will have a significant advantage to slow the pack down and gain points while the other team's point scorer in off the track. Needless to say: the Dollz needed to kick it up to high gear to stay on top.

After the half, the Dollz came out hard and were able to snag lead jammer in the first few jams. But, as cumulative penalties began to pull blockers from the pack, the Dollz were starting to give up a few points here and there. Both Dollz jammers Miller Fite #16oz and, returning from a one year hiatus, Lil' Wicked #333 were able to sneak through the Dames defense to rack up some major points during power jam scenarios. In the ends, the Dollz were able to maintain their lead and finished with a 139-114 victory over the Dames.