The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT’S been a phenomenal experience so far for rising tennis star Justin Roberts as he makes his transition from the junior circuit to the collegiate level.

On Saturday, Roberts pulled off one of his biggest accomplishments in his freshman year for No. 18 ranked Universiry of South Florida as the Bulls booked their first trip to the NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championship Round of Sweet 16 with a 4-0 victory over host Virginia Tech at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.

“I played very well today in singles,” Roberts told The Tribune. “I stuck to my game plan the whole time and kept my energy levels good.”

Roberts, 18, picked up a singles victory in USF’s second straight American Athletic Conference title win and the freshman from Nassau, Bahamas continued to step up in NCAA play. Roberts spotted the Bulls a 2-0 lead with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Tessaro in the fifth singles position.

“I expected to play well today but I didn’t expect the score to come out like it did because he is a good player,” he said.

USF seized the doubles point in its 4-0 win over Boise State on Friday and got the job done again in the second round against No. 15 Virginia Tech (20-5). For Roberts, he was just elated to have been able to make a contribution to the Bulls success in his singles triumph.

“I feel like I have a positive impact on the team, but having experienced teammates definitely helps,” he said. “As a team I think we are finally hitting our stride and playing at our highest level of the year when it matters. We truly believe we can compete with the best now.”

The win now pits USF (23-6) against the No. 2 Baylor-LSU winner in the Round of 16 8pm Thursday, May 14 at Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas.

“I’m looking for us to compete like we have been and to enjoy the battle at Baylor against Baylor in front of their home crowd,” said the six-foot Roberts.

As for whether or not he prefers to play singles or doubles, Roberts said it doesn’t matter.

“I enjoy both singles and doubles,” he said. “I can’t say which one I prefer.”

Since he exited the junior ranks where he made tremendous strides on the international scene, Roberts said he’s been able to adapt to the next level in his career.

“College is tougher than I expected it to be,” he said. “I think that I have done a good job of transitioning and I have learned some important lessons about time management. College is one of the best experiences of my life so far.”

Hopefully he can close out his first year at college on a high note with the USF Bulls, coached by Matt Hill, riding deep in the NCAA championships.

Roberts, whose biggest national achievement came last year when he was one of 14 athletes to represent the Bahamas at the Youth Olympic Games in China, is the son of Bruno and Sonjia Roberts.