2018 Playoffs Atlanta Game 4: Sun State vs. Ann Arbor

Sun State Roller Derby (Seed #6, WFTDA #15) vs. Ann Arbor Derby Dimes (Seed #11, WFTDA #31)

The fourth game of the 2018 International WFTDA Playoffs Atlanta between the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes of Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. and Sun State Roller Derby of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia was a closer game than the rankings suggested. The first period had four quick lead changes and ended with a nine-point lead for Sun State, which they held onto tight in the second period.

oh hey #talk2WFTDA https://t.co/awnn4Bh745

— Pumpkin Spice Wrath (@wrathrodite) September 21, 2018

This back and forth between Ann Arbor and Sun State has us dizzy.#WFTDAplayoffs

— TwoRiversRollerDerby (@TwoRiversRoller) September 21, 2018

Sun State hadn’t been to Playoffs since 2016, when they finished ninth at the WFTDA Playoffs in Montréal. They played only Australian teams during their 2018 season, which made them more of a question mark for fans studying their brackets. Ann Arbor, on the other hand, placed sixth at the 2017 WFTDA Playoffs in Seattle and tenth at the 2016 WFTDA Playoffs in Columbia. They might have come into Atlanta ranked 31st, but they did so with considerable Playoff experience.

The teams almost split lead jam status, although it might not have seemed that way since almost every time Sun State’s Spinach lined up she came away with lead and a lot of points. She scored 102 of Sun State’s total points. Both teams kept penalties under control. Sun State had 19 and Ann Arbor had 15. There was a lot of 5 on 5 derby.

Spinach is good. Very good. #talk2wftda

— feeownah. (@binncheol) September 21, 2018

Sun State worked the clock and often ran jams long. It was a strategy that worked for them. Their short jammer rotation worked as well and Ann Arbor never managed to adjust their defensive style to figure out how to contain Sun State’s Spinach for long.

With the win Sun State moves on to play Jacksonville on Saturday at 10 a.m. while Ann Arbor gets a day of rest before they play regional neighbor Windy City Rollers on Sunday at 2 p.m.

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