It was the perfect birthday present for Kimberley Armour.
Armour, also known as "Ruby See Ya Next Tuesday," got to bask in the thrill of victory along with the rest of the Sea to Sky Sirens after they knocked off the Sunshine Coast Roller Girls on Saturday (July 16).
The sellout crowd at Brennan Park Arena serenaded her with "Happy Birthday" during the Sirens' victory lap and it was a storybook ending to the team's summer home schedule.
The bout's final score was 158 to 129 and it marked the first ever victory for the young franchise.
"The team is just ecstatic to win," said Kristi "Roxie Shocker" Anderson. "We've been working really hard and it's just a thrill to win one at home."
The Sirens started the game strong and the tone was set by Sirens star Shannon "Mala Justed" Handley. She dominated the first half of the game, putting her team on her back and building up a sizable lead. She thrilled the fans with a 20-point jam early on and scored 33 in the first half alone. But Handley had a lot of help as several other Sirens stepped up. Geneveive "Honey Badger" Medrano showed improved speed and balance, scoring 14 points in the first half, and emerging defensive stopper "Dimples Diablo" (Johanna Roberts) also made a big impact.
Roberts noted that the team's recent bouts against more experienced teams like the Anarchy Angels and the Harbour City Rollers have helped the Sirens improve.
"Playing with and playing against teams who are better can make a huge difference," she said. "I think we've developed a lot of confidence and some chemistry in the last month."
For what it's worth, the Roller Girls seemed to notice the Sirens' improved play. The two teams met back on May 7 in Gibsons, with the Sirens losing 127-92 and both teams appeared to have improved tremendously since that first match.
Both Jeannette "Napalm Nette" Stenzel and Dorothy "Labiatch" Ray actually played on the Sirens two weeks ago and said they have a lot of respect for the team.
"They're kind of like us," said Ray. "They're all pretty new and learning so it's good to be able to play teams at the same level."
She said penalty problems seemed to cost the Roller Girls the game.
"It was a good game overall but we spent a lot of time in the penalty box," she said. "You won't win like that but the Sirens played amazing today. They have so many good, strong players on their team."
"It's really a learning process," said Stenzel. "We had some derby virgins out there tonight but I just love being out there. I like playing with the Sirens or against them - it's a lot of fun."
Handley said it was a great way for the team to cap off the series of summer home bouts.
"The whole team is absolutely thrilled with our turnouts," she said. "It is so amazing to see so many locals coming out in support of derby. The greatest feeling I took home from last night was the feeling I got from successfully breaking through the front of the pack into an eruption of cheers from the fans,so amazing."
Both teams also seemed excited about the possible debut of a new squad in Whistler.
"We're so excited to have another team close by," Anderson said, noting that several members of the Whistler team were in the building. "We'll definitely be able to help them out and it would be great to see them get going."
Anderson said the Sirens will be travelling to Kamloops for a bout in August but that the team will continue training and preparing in the meantime.
For more information on the Sirens, visit www.squamishrollerderby.com.
