Annie Roberts ’24 and Alondra Canchola ’25 say fate brought them together at University of the Pacific, where they proudly sport a new title: national collegiate racquetball champions.

“We played together on the junior national team and it worked out that Pacific is where we both wanted to attend college,” said Roberts, a native of Portland, Ore. “It is a great honor to win national titles while representing Pacific.”

Roberts took first place in the No. 1 Gold division, comprised of the top singles players from all universities entered, in the National Intercollegiate Racquetball Championships in Tucson, Ariz. She also teamed with Canchola to win the No. 1 Gold doubles championship.

“It is great to play against people from all over the country and even from around the world,” added Canchola, a Stockton native. She also finished third in No. 2 Gold singles.

The schools entered included Arizona State, Brigham Young University, Oregon State and Arizona.

Canchola said people do not realize there is a racquetball court at Baun Fitness Center, which they use occasionally. Their practice mostly is held at In-Shape City in Stockton, under the tutelage of their coach Dave Ellis, who has helped groom several national champions and has coached U.S. national teams.

Roberts, a second-year student majoring in health, exercise and sports sciences, played in her first tournament at age 12 and has focused entirely on racquetball as an athlete.

“I love the sport and have put my total effort there. It has been rewarding with experiences such as representing our country in competitions. I also have started to play on the professional circuit,” Roberts said. “The way racquetball works, the sport is only going to be a viable career option if you are ranked in the Top 10, so that is a goal for me. The sport is not as well known in the United States, but there are many great opportunities around the world, especially in South America.”

Canchola, a first-year student studying actuarial science, plans to stay involved in the sport “for a long time” and cherishes the opportunities and experiences it creates.

“It really changed my life playing on the junior United States team and representing my country,” she said. “I am planning to keep playing into adulthood. Racquetball affords you many opportunities to travel and meet people.”

While they play high-level competition, both express the health benefits of playing racquetball and urge others to try it.

“Plus, it’s an indoor sport,” Canchola said. “You never have to worry about the weather.”