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Savannah Derby Devils

By DaShawn Brown

SAVANNAH, GA -- Roller Derby is catching on in Savannah.  Young ladies get together to play rough on roller skates.

"There's something about putting on wheels and going fast with a lot of other women who are out there to win," says Dana Felty, also known as "Fear Abby".  "It's something about that that's really exciting and empowering."

It's not your average sport, but for the Savannah Derby Devils, that's what makes Roller Derby a perfect fit.  "I never found a team sport that I liked," said Eva Lyn Twisted legally known as Taylor Andersen. "I always liked being on a team but I never cared for the sport so this is a beautiful combination of both."

"Derby is one of the only sports that I'm familiar with that celebrates all body types... and all body types are necessary. You need someone that's four feet one hundred pounds and someone who's six feet tall... all are celebrated."

They say its a sport that allows them to be who they are or who they wanna be.  And quite often you'll think your shy and meek then you start to play and you find out otherwise. There were a couple of things the Devils say they enjoy about the sport, but their favorite part? The hit!

"And as soon as we put on skates we want to hit somebody in a very loving way, Wow, I just laid that girl out on the floor. That was great.  And as long as they're okay you go yeah I did that!"

But that's just one of the reasons why they keep coming back for more. It's working with women. I really enjoy having a female outlet. A lot of the women that play find the strength and the power within that they didn't think they had.