In anticipation of the WCR All-Stars' home opener on July 25 (vs Philly Rollergirls' Liberty Belles), I talked to some of the skaters on both teams about their thoughts on the big game. Get your tickets at http://windycityrollers.com/tickets/default.aspx -- You won't want to miss this one! -Loco Chanel

Loco Chanel: How did you get involved in derby? How long have you been a member of the Liberty Belles?

Nina Knockout: In 2005, when I moved from California back to Philadelphia, I wanted to get involved with some type of activity here. My best friend, who is a roller girl in Atlanta, Georgia, told me about roller derby. The funny thing is I thought that I would not like being blocked or falling and second-guessed trying out for the Philly Roller Girls. I went to the tryout and made the cut. I haven't looked back since—that was in 2006.

The same year I completed my fresh-meat season, I made the Liberty Belles and I’ve been a Liberty Belle since the very beginning. I have only missed one game and am proud to say I have been a part of it all.

Despite having a competitive home season in the first half of the year, the Liberty Belles have already racked up a 5-0 record in 2009. How do you balance your home team play with playing with the Liberty Belles?

I think it is just about establishing a rapport with your teammates and league mates. We all have such a wonderful spirit of competition and it comes out whether we are on home teams or together as a travel team. We each push one another to be better and that works for us.

Both Windy City and Philly had fantastic seasons in 2008, and both of our leagues had our tournament hopes stopped by Gotham. What were your biggest lessons from last season and those games in particular?

Last year was a pivotal year for us. It was our second year as a travel team, and I think we really became a team that year. Every team has the year when they grow together and 2008 was that year for us. We learned so much about ourselves as players and about our teammates as players too.

Our experiences with Gotham, taught us how to adapt to different strategies and I also think we learned how to stay focused on our individual team goals. At Regionals last year, our team gained an insight we never had before and we proved to ourselves that we could achieve anything by working together! I just remember us having so much fun in that game and being so proud of the girls to the left and the right of me. We were so happy with how our entire team was coming together right in front of the derby nation—it was a fantastic feeling to experience!

Any additional thoughts on Saturday’s bout that you want to share?

We are just excited to play WCR again. We only got one chance to play WCR last year, and now we get our chance to play you again, and we get to visit the fabulous city of Chicago! I can't wait to be there, see your beautiful city, and play in this much-anticipated game.

Talk Derby with your Friends!

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