Annie Roberts ’23 solidified her standing as the United States’ best collegiate women’s racquetball player with her second consecutive singles title in the National Intercollegiate Racquetball Championships.

Competing in the Gold Division against the country’s best collegiate players, Roberts was in total control in her march to the championship, which concluded with a 15-7, 15-7 win over Andrea Ibarra of the University of New Mexico.

“I am grateful I get the opportunity to represent University of the Pacific in the sport I love,” Roberts said. “This was a definite goal that I set last year, to win the college title again. There is so much talent in that division, and it felt good to be there playing for my university.”

Roberts, who had a first-round bye, also soundly defeated Robin Briglia of Northern Arizona University 15-0, 15-4 in the quarterfinals and Stephanie Cook of Brigham Young University 15-1,15-5 in the semifinals.

The Gold Division included players from Ohio State University–the tournament host–along with Arizona State University, Oregon State University, University of Pittsburgh and the University of Missouri.

Roberts is an athletic dynamo who is humble off the court. Mark Van Ness, professor and chair of the Department of Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences, was aware Roberts played racquetball—but not at a national championship level.

“Two-time national champion? Really?” said Van Ness, her advisor. “I knew she played the sport, but I had no idea she was that highly ranked. I would have made a big deal of it in class if I had known. She is obviously a very humble person.”

In 2022, Roberts won the national college singles title and teamed with fellow Pacific student Alondra Canchola ’25 for the doubles championship. Canchola did not compete in this year’s national tournament.

Roberts has played racquetball since the age of 12. She tried other sports growing up but decided to concentrate on racquetball, where she is ranked No. 1 collegiately, in the Top 8 for the Junior U.S. team and No. 26 on the pro circuit.

She keeps her game sharp at the In-Shape fitness centers in Stockton and is weighing her racquetball and career options.

“One of my big goals is to be on the adult United States team. That means you must be number one or number two in the country. I also want to compete internationally,” she said. “I am not sure on my goals yet for the pro tour. It is a full-time job if you go that route.”

Roberts is a native of Portland, Oregon, majoring in health, exercise and sport sciences with a focus on human performance. She is planning to study for a semester in Yucatan, Mexico (to become fluent in Spanish) and is on track to graduate in December.

“Annie is an excellent student who asks inquisitive and clarifying questions. She is a joy to have in class, and I know other faculty members share that belief,” Van Ness said. “I have no doubt she will do very well in her career and in her sport.”

Read more on her website racquetballannie.com