Each derby team consists of five women on the court — a jammer, a pivot and three blockers.

The jammer scores one point for lapping each opposing player and two points for lapping the other jammer. The pivot is like the head blocker and calls the shots within the pack, yelling and motioning directions based on jammer positions. The blockers skate like moving walls, battering and blocking the opposing jammer, all while opening gaps for their own.

Mitten Maven Crysta Heart said the fast-paced, hard-hitting game is more than a sport.

“It’s so accepting,” Heart said. “In other areas, people shield their lives. Here, everyone has their place.”

Heart, who was encouraged by friends to join, also said it influences every part of her life, with its cardio, community spirit and camaraderie.

Though the matches get heated, she said no animosity ever breeds from it, instead the teams are supportive of each other and share a common “derby love.”

Heart explained that part of derby love is the ability to travel anywhere and have friends that skate.

Fenby-Morse, whose daughter plays for the junior derby team Cap City Wild Childs, said her daughter was overweight with low self-esteem before derby. Since joining derby, she said her daughter lost weight, gained leadership qualities, self-esteem, friends, a sense of community and is all smiles these days.

“It looked rough, but once I learned the rules I had complete confidence,” Fenby-Morse said.

Two junior derby teams sparred prior to the Maven’s match, with one of the players leaving in an ambulance due to a knee cap injury.

Another ambulance sped toward the derby court after a fall followed by an accidental kick to the head resulted in a player experiencing a seizure.

The Mitten Mavens will conduct a Lansing roller derby boot camp from July 16 to August 16, where the basics of derby can be learned with no prior skills required to join.