The 2010 edition of the California Pacific Conference men's and women's conference play is about to begin. The conference has seen tremendous growth in their non-conference schedule, playing well with several top-ranked schools and beating highly ranked schools from all over the country. With conference play starting tomorrow and the stakes all the more higher, the teams are getting ready for what should be the most exciting conference season in recent memory. Also new this year will debut the new conference tournament format

On the men's side, CSU Maritime come into conference play with the best non-conference record at 9-9. The Keelhaulers' successes have included wins over Dominican University, Warner Pacific College and The Master's College. William Jessup is second in the non-conference race with a 5-10 mark. The Warriors have wins over Whitman College, Lewis and Clark College and UC Santa Cruz. Menlo College is third in the non-conference standings with a 3-8 mark with wins over Willamette University, Pacific University and UC Santa Cruz. Here is the schedule for the opening games of the conference season:

Thursday January 7^th

Bethany @ CSU Maritime - 7:30 pm

Menlo @ Holy Names - 7:30 pm

Simpson @ Pacific Union - 7 pm

Saturday January 9^th

Bethany @ Holy Names - 4 pm

CSU Maritime @ Menlo - 7:30 pm

Pacific Union @ William Jessup - 8 pm

On the women's side, Holy Names University holds the top non-conference mark at 8-9. The Hawks' wins have been over Hope International University, Chapman University, Dominican University and they have two wins over Fresno Pacific University. Menlo College is second in the non-conference standings with a 4-8 mark. The Oaks' wins have included St. Thomas University (FL), Fresno Pacific University and UC Santa Cruz. In third is the Pacific Union College Pioneers. The Pioneers have almost won more games this season (3) than in the last four seasons combined (4). The Pioneers have wins over Pomona Pitzer, California Institute of Technology and Southwestern College. Here is the schedule for the opening games of the conference season:

Thursday January 7^th

Simpson @ Pacific Union - 5 pm

Menlo @ Holy Names - 5:30 pm

Bethany @ CSU Maritime - 5:30 pm

Saturday January 9^th

Bethany @ Holy Names - 2 pm

CSU Maritime @ Menlo - 5:30 pm

Pacific Union @ William Jessup - 5:30 pm

This year also introduces the fans of the Cal Pac to a new tournament format. This year, the higher seed will host each individual tournament game whereas in the past, the tournament was held at a neutral site. Here is the format for the coming year:

Wednesday February 24^th (men's and women's):

#7 @ #2

#6 @ #3

#5 @ #4

Friday February 26^th (women's):

#5/4 winner @ #1

#3/#6 winner @ #2/#7 winner (higher seed)

Saturday February 27^th (men's)

#5/4 winner @ #1

#3/#6 winner @ #2/#7 winner (higher seed)

Monday March 1^st (women's)

Championship

Tuesday March 2^nd (men's)

Championship

All games with the exception of doubleheaders will be held at 7:30 pm