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Appalachian Rollergirls Kicking Off 2013 Season in Columbia, S.C. on Saturday Against Miss B-Havers

By Paul T. Choate

Photo by James Fay
Photo by James Fay

Jan. 22, 2013. It’s that time, roller derby fans. The Appalachian Rollergirls are about to kick off their 2013 season this Saturday and excitement is in the air among the team and derby fans.

The 2013 season will kick off in Columbia, S.C. at the Jamil Shrine Center when the Rollergirls take on the Columbia Quadsquad Miss B-Havers.

According to Jennele “Coco Janel” Vaquera, derby team co-captain, this will be a rematch of the very first match the Rollergirls ever participated in during their first season. In that game, the local ladies on skates won a tightly contested match by one point.

“There’s a little bit of rivalry there,” Vaquera said of the matchup.

This season, the Rollergirls third season since being founded, will see some changes to the team in terms of skaters.

“We have a lot of players that are going to be playing a lot more this year,” Vaquera sad. “We lost some skaters due to injury and moving, so the team is changing up a little bit. It’s exciting. It will be fun.”

Many of the skaters on the second string will be moving to first string and Vaquera said there are two skaters that are “really, really new.”

The team began practicing and getting into match shape at the beginning of January and Vaquera said she believes the team is ready for their first bout.

“We’re focused on making all 14 players good players this year,” she said.

The team is also interested in recruiting new skaters. Those who would like to join up with the Rollergirls should email info@appalachianrollergirls.com.

The Jamil Shrine Center is located at 206 Jamil Road, Columbia, S.C. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the bout starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets to the match are $10 and can be purchased online at columbiaquadsquad.com/store/tickets.

The season schedule is still a work in progress, but as of now the first home bout is scheduled for May 4 at the Holmes Convocation Center.

For more information on the team, check out appalachianrollergirls.com