The Lansing Derby Vixens will complete their inaugural season by competing against 10 of Michigan’s best teams in the Mitten Kitten Mash-Up: Purrrr MIchigan roller derby tournament Nov. 5-6.
The tournament. which will be held at the New Rink in Shelby Township, features only Michigan teams, referees and non-skating officials, making it the first such tournament in Michigan roller derby history.
The Vixens enter the tournament ranked 4th and expect to do well. Coach Rexxx Manning said hopes are high, though the team recognizes the challenge ahead.
“There are some very talented teams playing this weekend and we’re looking forward to seeing how we stack up against them,” he said. “When you’re looking at potentially facing teams like the Killamazoo Derby Darlins, Flint City Derby Girls and Detroit Derby Girls Motor City Disassembly Line, you better be ready to play your A game or better.”
He noted that this will also be the team’s first time playing multiple bouts over such a short amount of time.
“We could be playing up to three bouts in two days,” he said. “No matter how good your team is or how good your endurance is, that’s going to take a toll.”
Coming off last month’s close loss to the Grand Raggidy Roller Girls G-Rap Attack, the Vixens saw a lot of areas for improvement and have been working on those. Manning said he believes this work will pay off in the tournament.
“We’ve gone over the game footage a lot since that last bout and have really worked on tightening up our walls and communicating better in the pack,” he said. “Plus, we might have a few new things up our sleeves, too.”
All in all, the Vixens finished the 2011 season — their first full season of roller derby — with a 7-3 record, including being undefeated at home in four bouts. The Vixens 2012 season will begin in February.
