By Veronica Dodge

Naptown’s uproarious crowd was treated to a Star Wars themed blow-out as the Naptown Roller Girls returned to their home turf on November 19th at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis. The unsanctioned bout versus the Ohio Roller Girls’ mixture of A and B proved an opportunity for Coach J Roller to give some of her new skaters some track time, while still managing to gain a large point spread over Ohio, with a final score of 191 to 41; in favor of Naptown. The Naptown roster had many familiar faces on it, but the addition of 3 former Fort Wayne players: Enya Graves, RIP Tide, and Majestic gave the Coliseum something new to look forward to.

Since the Indianapolis team had just earned their first trip to Championships at Monumental Mayhem, also here in Indianapolis, by placing third, the opening jam of 1-0 in favor of Ohio was a surprise. However, the ensuing jams by Maiden America and Blue Messiah, of 3-0 and 12-0 respectively, bringing the score to 15-5 showed what the Sirens are capable of. In the 6th jam, Maiden America brought in a crowd pleasing 25-0, and the Sirens began to consistently dominate, followed by a 15-0 jam by Willa Hoeflinch.

The Ohio Roller Girls struggled to gain their points, making it to 13 points by the ninth jam, but Naptown’s powerful defense held them at 13 points until only 10:41 left in the first half. Ohio jammer Bratislava Bruiser, #1993 gained lead, and one point, but Shadi Layne managed to sneak in 3 points in the same jam before she could call it off. Multiple trips to the box for Naptown may have seemed a point in which the Ohio jammers would be given a break, but the Ohio jammer often followed Naptown right into the box, causing a revolving door affect for the jammers.

When there was only 5:08 left on the first period clock, Naptown was in the lead 94-14, and Coach J Roller started switching up the line-up. Ima Hurtchu, longtime blocker and Pivot for Naptown was handed the Jammer panty, and although she did not get lead, the ensuing 2-2 score for the jam were the last points that Ohio scored for next 11 jams. At halftime, Naptown was in the lead 103 to 16, and more role reversals were seen on the track in the second half.

Former WFTDA skater of the month, Maiden America, was given the Pivot cap, and showed impressive skills as a blocker, while Dora the Destroyer continuously contained or blasted the Ohio jammers, making it almost impossible for them to break the pack. Pippi Rip Your Stockings for Ohio made the biggest attempt at a dent in the Naptown dominance at the 12:30 mark of the last half of the game with a 7 point jam, but the majority of the lead jammer calls were given to Naptown.

The final score of 191 to 41 showed the obvious dominance of the Naptown skaters, but the Ohio Roller Girls put up a fight worthy of the impressive show they made at North Central Regionals. The Naptown Tornado Sirens and the Naptown Warning Belles will return to the Pepsi Coliseum on December 17th to play Toronto and Derby City, respectively, and The Ohio Roller Girls will be publishing their new season information shortly. Both teams will surely be struggling to rise through the ranks and dominate their track.