Rollergirls at Rohler Rink in Brownsdale

Chrissy Stiehm, left, Tya Rohl run a drill during roller derby practice at Rholer Rink in Brownsdale.

Kelly Kirby of Austin laces up before roller derby practice at Rholer Rink in Brownsdale. "It's fun camaraderie," said Kirby.

Roller derby is a contact sport in which two teams of five players race around a track on skates.

Kelly Kirby, left, and Carley Carranza stretch before roller derby practice at Rholer Rink in Brownsdale. "It's fun camaraderie," said Kirby.

Mary Gould runs a drill during roller derby practice at Rholer Rink in Brownsdale.

Chrissy Stiehm stretches with her team before roller derby practice at Rholer Rink in Brownsdale. "It's something brand new and fresh. It's awesome bringing a lot of women together who wouldn't normally be," said Stiehm.

From left, Chrissy Stiehm, Shana Williams, and Kelly Kirby work on the waterfall technique during roller derby practice at Rholer Rink in Brownsdale. "I do it for the community, the culture and the friendship. It's more than just the skating, it's the group of women I skate with," said Williams, whose derby name Sister No Mercy.

Carley Carranza, also known as the Deafiler, competes in Roller Derby despite being deaf. "I love it. It's so much fun and it challenges me," said Carranza.

Kelly Kirby of Austin does situps during a game of Simon Says at Rholer Rink in Brownsdale. "It's fun camaraderie," said Kirby.

Tya Rohl runs a drill in which she must skate twenty-four laps in seven minutes, which is one of the minimum requirements needed to compete in roller derby, at Rholer Rink in Brownsdale. "I like the hitting and the fast pace skating," said Rohl.

Mary Gould, right, skates beside Nanette Ladd during roller derby practice at Rholer Rink in Brownsdale. "I love skating. It's one of the few athletic things I was ever good at," said Gould.