By Mike Miazga

What a 10th anniversary it was for the Lindenwood (Mo.) University men’s team.

In its 10th year of existence as a program, the second-seeded Lions upset top-seeded Cal Baptist in three sets to win the 2009 Tachikara NAIA Men’s National Invitational Tournament at the Breckon Sports Center on the campus of Park University in Parkville, Mo.

Lindenwood won its first NAIA title and made its fourth appearance in the national title match.

Lindenwood finished the season at 37-3 and won its final 26 matches.

No. 1 seed Cal Baptist (25-8) had won four of the last five NAIA titles. The Lancers, who have won six national titles, finished the year with wins in 16 of their last 19 matches.

Jared Kreienkamp led Lindenwood with 15 kills and was named the tournament MVP.

Devin Shiroma added 10 kills and 11 digs. Dan Laure (all-tournament) had eight blocks and Charles Spicer finished with six kills and two blocks. Mike Larson handed out 32 assists.

Cal Baptist, which hit only .135 in the match, was paced by the 15-kill efforts of Levi Cabral and Adiel Tiedjop. Tiedjop finished the year with 595 kills. Cabral had 584. Blair Penner added 41 assists. Cal Baptist graduates only one player from this year’s team.

Cabral and Tiedjop were also named to the all-tournament team.

Cal Baptist also lost the 2008 title match at Park University (to host Park).

Lindenwood reached the final by downing Cardinal Stritch (3-0), while Cal Baptist defeated Hope International (3-1) in the other semifinal. Cardinal Stritch’s Garrett Payne and Hope’s Noah Casaquit rounded out the all-tournament team.

The 2009 tournament will be held in Davenport, Iowa and will be hosted by Saint Ambrose University.