February 2025 : Skater of the Month
Photo taken by Carlino’s Photography
This months featured skater is a doozy- because there’s two of them! In honor of Valentine’s Day, this month’s newsletter is a double feature with one of our leagues famous skater couples – Talley and Lady Talley (aka Kay) who skate under the numbers 7 and 3820. These two met because of their love for skating, and have been a power couple on the derby track for about 8 years!
Here’s the rest from the lovebirds themselves!
How long has each of you been skating and why did you start playing roller derby?
Lady Talley: I’ve been inline speed skating for 18 years, and have always known about roller derby, but never thought it was really my jam. Back in 2017, a friend of ours who used to speed skate invited Talley to try out Roller Derby with TXMRD. It looked like he was having so much fun, and I got jealous, so I joined DDD that same season!
Talley: I’ve have been a skater for over 25 years. I started out as an inline speed skater back in 1999 and I added roller derby to my skating repertoire back in 2017. I joined TXMRD because my friend Pound told me it’d be fun, and it has been ever since.
Do you two have any personal derby goals?
Lady Talley: When we rejoined the league last year after a 4-year hiatus, our only intent was doing something fun and being able to do it together. Being able to grow and develop as relatively newer ‘derby’ skaters has been a really fun process, and our goals are constantly changing and evolving. My current goal is to earn a roster spot jamming for Y’allhalla at Clover Cup, and to hopefully play a part in earning the team a spot at champs in the fall.
Talley: This last year we jumped back into roller derby with the intent of just playing on home teams for DDD. Fast forward a year we are both playing for Y’allhalla with goals to still play together but on opposite sides of the jam line. I’ve been working all off season with my goal to make the roster as a pivot and use my unique set of skills as a blocker.
How has doing derby with your spouse affected your relationship?
Talley: This is an easy one. We get less sleep because it’s another night out to practice our skating skills. Seriously though- it’s only made me feel closer to my best friend. After rough nights at practice when and all I can think about that I did wrong or bad she is there to build me back up and point out the positives.
Lady Talley: Our love of skating is the foundation our relationship was built on (literally, it’s how we met). Roller derby has strengthened that relationship by teaching us patience with one another when emotions run high, and by helping us to remember to celebrate the small victories. It feels great to know that I always have my number one fan with me.
You’re our resident power couple, so why did you decide to jam on different teams?
Lady Talley: Well, we didn’t. When we went through the draft last year, the draft committee decided our particular set of skills would be better off split amongst different teams to create a more even team distribution. It makes for better game play, and plus, who doesn’t want to see a rematch of Talley vs Lady Talley in 2025? That game was one of my favorites of all time!
Talley: When we started back up we were hoping to play for the same team. Obviously that didn’t happen and I think it has been for the best. Lady Talley would agree I’ve never seen a spouse so happy to knock down her significant other.
If you could pick one derby memory to relive, what would you pick?
Talley: A lot of the memories that come to mind immediately are all the mistakes I’ve made while learning to play the game- and the best part of them has been that my teammates have never held it against and have been understanding that it’s part of the process. If you really want just one memory though it would be playing with the team that got 3rd at MRDA Champs in 2019.
Lady Talley: I would have to relive Monsoon Madness 2019 with the Army of Darkness. We didn’t pull off any incredible wins or anything- in fact- the exact game that comes to mind against Tampa, we lost by a couple points, but I just remember being on another level at that tournament. The vibes were great, I had some incredible teammates- one who even lent me her skates when mine broke mid-tourney. I specifically remember warming up with some ridiculous dance moves in the parking garage before every game. It was a good weekend.
Why should people check out DDD?
Lady Talley: DDD is such a cool community of people from all different backgrounds. Whether you love to skate or are curious to learn more, there truly is space for everyone here.
Talley: People should check out DDD because it is a great group of individuals that get together for a common goal…TO SKATE. The community and friendships that you can establish here go beyond just practice and roller derby.
Don’t forget to check out the Dallas Derby Devils as we host our annual Clover Cup from March 28th to 30th!