A commonality among blackjack dealers, librarians and students: a passion for the sport that requires both hitting and roller skates.

These are the women who make up the Rolling Hills Derby Dames, one of two roller derby teams in Pullman. Established in 2010, the team consists of a variety of people who just wanted to come and get involved in the full-contact sport.

“You have to go in knowing you’ll be hit,” said Derby Dames captain Lisa Whitesoot-Hughey. “You gotta get back up as fast as you can.”

Whitesoot-Hughey said each team member chooses their own derby name they go by during practice and matches like an alter ego. The names range from TeKillYa Rose to Whitesoot-Hughey’s name, Lisa Lawless.

Bout Coach Bonnie Wilmoth said her inspiration for her derby name, Bruisin’ Bunny, partially came from her experience in her first bout (a derby match) which gave her a black eye.

“It’s just a fun way to change who you are,” said WSU junior and player Ashely Davie aka Cyanide Siren. “I’m a chemical engineer, (and) I think cyanide is the most badass chemical out there. I thought it would be fitting.”

Roller derby is played with two teams on a circular track, constantly going around while one person from each team, called the jammer, scores points. Jammers score points by passing opposing team members on the track, and those team members try to stop the jammer from passing or help their own get ahead.

Despite being a full-contact sport, there are many regulations to follow. Referees keep track of penalties closely and there is a gear check before the match starts and at halftime. The players are required to wear knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, helmets, and mouth guards at all times.

“(We’re) very supportive of each other,” Wilmoth said. “Every girl brings a different element to the team and league.”

On Friday, the girls will don an entirely new alter ego when they become their favorite super hero at Derby Con. The match is part of an annual derby held in Beasley Coliseum as a fundraiser for the Derby Dames so they may rent out the Gladish Community Center gym as a practice area and help maintain the gym. Themes in the past for this match have included Dames of the Dead and Malice in Wonderland.

The players, referees, and even the audience will get the opportunity to dress up as comic book superheroes at the match. Characters chosen by the players include everything from Venom to Lara Croft.

“Everybody will pick a superhero to be,” Whitesoot-Hughey said. “Make it fun for the crowd to dress up too.”

Davie said one of the interesting things about Derby Con is that many people don’t understand roller derby. It’s something still new to a lot of people, but is quick to get hooked on.

“(It’s) crazy to watch these girls go around on a track and hitting each other and still have the determination to keep going,” she said.

Wilmoth said the feedback from the annual match has always been positive, with both audiences and skaters enjoying themselves.

“I started doing roller derby because I was told I was too small,” she said. “The reason I kept doing it was for my team.”

Derby Con will take place at Beasley Coliseum Friday at 8 p.m. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., and a junior bout will take place at 7 p.m. before Derby Con begins. It’s open to all ages, and there will be a beer garden for those 21 and older. Halftime entertainment will be provided by Rising Stars Dance Studio. A $5 suggested donation can be made at the bout.