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Lancer fans have come to expect excellence from the California Baptist University Men's Volleyball team. Though the program is successful by any standards, the team also understands that winning is not everything.

For the 2010 season, the Lancers defeated NCAA Division I Pepperdine University (ranked No. 4 in the nation), along with a 3-0 trouncing of UCLA (ranked No. 8 in the nation), and wins over Long Beach State and Springfield College.

After beating these athletically well-known schools, the CBU men's team has flexed their muscles in Division I territory. The Lancers have earned the No. 1 spot in the NAIA national rankings so far this season.

Men's volleyball has faced Division I schools for several years, and with this experience both CBU and their opponents feel that these matches make them better.

Head Coach Ryan McGuyre said that, "We don't approach it like it's David vs. Goliath. We want to play good volleyball. To be the best we need to play the best, so we are all just sharpening each other."

Lancer fans have come to expect success from their men's volleyball program after years of defeating Division I schools all over the country.

Under Coach McGuyre, the Lancers have acquired four consecutive NAIA National Titles in the 2004-2007 seasons. Along with these wins, the team has had to persevere through some tough losses, which has helped put things into perspective.

McGuyre stresses that CBU volleyball has more to it than just winning championships. "I try reminding the guys that volleyball is just a small part of the big picture. When you win so many championships, it's easy to lose sight of that," McGuyre said.

McGuyre, having played club volleyball at Biola University, along with coaching experience at the high school and college levels, has guided both men's and women's volleyball programs at CBU starting as the women's head coach in 2002.

With help from some international teammates (Adiel Tiedjop from Cameroon, Levi Cabral from Brazil, and Mohamed Khattab from Egypt), CBU has its eyes on the national title.

"Every year our diversity is always different and that's what makes us come together," McGuyre said. "Every year we have a different makeup of guys, with different playing experience, from different countries and areas."

Led by Tiedjop along with Sophomores Cabral and Khattab, the Lancers have won four of their seven games this season. Tiedjop has 36 kills, three aces, and five blocks so far this season. Cabral posts an impressive 96 kills.