After two turbulent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, University of the Pacific spring sports teams are planning for a more typical year in 2022.
 
In 2020, the spring season ended a few weeks after it started. In 2021, year sports took place without spectators, and the men's tennis program opted out since many of the student-athletes preferred to remain in their native countries.
 
This year, fans are permitted, and since the venues are outdoors, current guidelines do not require vaccine checks or masks.
 
"I'm really looking forward to having our complete team together to compete for the championship this season and a chance to go to NCAA," said James Graham, head women's water polo coach. "It's been difficult over the past couple of years due to red-shirt seasons for a couple of players before COVID-19 and then not being able to have all of our players come to town for various reasons throughout the pandemic. I'm really excited to have this group together; they're hard-working, they've grown a lot, and I think they're determined to play their best."
 
"We have a perfect pocket here in Stockton where there is no reason we cannot get a number of fans out and make it a real event," said Head Men's Tennis Coach Robin Goodman. "There is no reason with the COVID-19 protocols, in keeping everyone safe, that we can't be jumping for joy and getting excited.
 
"We are really excited for the year. For our athletes, it will be great to have fans back in stands to enjoy the games and show their support," said Head Softball Coach Brian Kolze. "We have a young team, but we have a lot of positive parts. We will just have to learn how to put those parts together as we grow each day."
 
Women's water polo
 
The women's water polo team plans to return to normalcy after dealing with red-shirt seasons by potential Olympians and COVID restrictions the past two years. Three-time All-Golden Coast Conference senior Mariana Duarte returns after scoring 144 goals in her three-year career to date. She was a 2016 Olympian for her native Brazil. Junior goalkeeper Clara Vulpisi played for Canada in the 2021 Olympics, getting two starts in goal, including the win over South Africa. She was an honorable mention All-GCC keeper following her freshman year in 2019 before taking two years off for international competition. 
 
The two were part of the 2019 team that won the GCC and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament under veteran head coach James Graham. The 2022 home schedule includes a Mar. 6 home matchup with #3 UCLA, plus home GCC contests against Loyola Marymount (Apr. 1), Cal Baptist (Apr. 2) and Santa Clara (Apr. 15). 
 
Baseball
 
The Tiger baseball team opens the 2022 campaign at home at Klein Family Field on Friday, Feb. 18, against Northern Colorado. Head coach Chris Rodriguez's home slate includes a Mar. 14 visit from Arizona and key WCC series matchups with Gonzaga (Mar. 18-20), Santa Clara (Apr. 1-3), LMU (Apr. 8-10), Saint Mary's (Apr. 29-May 1), San Diego (May 6-8) and San Francisco (May 20-22). The six-team WCC Championship will be played in Banner Island Stadium in Stockton on May 26-28.
 
Junior infielder Thomas Gavello was a first-team All-WCC selection last year for the Tigers. He hit .335 with ten home runs a year ago. Senior James Arakawa was the top hitter last year at .339 and was an honorable mention All-WCC second baseman. Elijah Birdsong was named to the Perfect Game All-WCC Preseason Team. He is returning from Tommy John surgery and will be the number one starter in the Tiger's rotation.
 
Men's Golf

After kicking off the spring season in a tough Amer Ari tournament in Hawaii, the men's golf team hopes to continue to grow throughout it's spring season. With all players returning, Head Coach John Cook is looking forward to the chemistry of the team helping it overall. The highlight of the fall season was a second-place finish at the Rams Masters Invitational in Fort Collins, Colo. "Maverick Pavletich and Leonardi Rigamonti have really stepped up their games a little bit, and they're really consistent players for us. A couple of other guys are coming up with them quick, so they're working as a whole unit to get better, and I'm excited to see what happens this spring. The team continues its season at the Grand Canyon Invitational Mar. 14-15.

Softball
 
Over at Bill Simoni Field, the softball team will be playing under the direction of head coach Brian Kolze for the 30th season. His Tigers host two non-conference tournaments, the Libby Matson (Mar. 4-5) featuring Seton Hall and the Mizuno Classic featuring Iowa State. Pacific has home WCC weekends against Santa Clara (Apr. 9-10), San Diego (Apr. 15-16) and BYU (May 6-7). 
 
Senior Carly Lucchetti is the top returning offensive player, hitting at a .280 clip last year. On the mound, senior Bethany Hammer, junior Vanessa Strong and sophomores Amiyah Aponte and Avery Croxall return with 2021 experience. 
 
The 2022 season will also highlight two contests that will feature former Tigers. The Tigers will welcome in UCF, led by former pitcher Cindy Ball-Malone on Tuesday, Mar. 8, while Santa Clara, led by head coach, and former centerfielder Gina Carbonatto, comes to Bill Simoni Field for a three-game conference series on April 9 and 10.
 
Men's tennis
 
At the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center, second-year head coach Robin Goodman will be coaching on the court for the first time after the team opted out in 2021. Key home contests with Pepperdine (Apr. 1), LMU (Apr. 2), BYU (Apr. 22) and San Diego (Apr. 23) will test the young Tigers. The roster includes one senior, three juniors, two sophomores and a freshman. 
 
Women's Tennis
 
Women's tennis features WCC home contests against Santa Clara (Mar. 5), San Francisco (Mar. 25), Saint Mary's (Apr. 9), Gonzaga (Apr. 15) and Portland (Apr. 16). Junior Klara Kosan, who was a Second Team All-WCC singles player a year ago, is the top player for head coach Mike Erwin. Other junior standouts Zoe Clydesdale-Eberle, and Danielle Zamora will help lead the team this season.
 
Track and field
 
Head coach Josh Jones enters his 10th season after starting the women's track program in 2013. His 2022 schedule includes nearby meets at UC Davis (Mar. 12) and Sacramento State (Mar. 19). Senior Emma Winkler was his top runner in the 2021 cross country season. 
 
Beach volleyball
 
Likewise, head coach Greg Gibbons will be coaching his 10th beach volleyball season after starting the program in 2013. Lucy Carpenter, Hania Taduran, Jenny Todd and Sammie Sheppard will be the featured Tigers leading into the new season. At the same time, key freshmen Brooklynn Thomas, Darina Kumanova, Megan Nishimura, and Abby Miller look to impact the team positively. The squad has home WCC contests against Saint Mary's (Mar. 8) and San Francisco (Apr. 19).