LANGLEY — The Earl Marriott Mariners, who open the new B.C. Triple A senior boys campaign as the preseason No. 1 team, would love to see history repeat itself.
Last season, Surrey’s Mariners topped the Van Tech Talismen 3-0 in the B.C. AAA final at the Langley Events Centre.
A victory this season would not only give Earl Marriott a title repeat, it would bookend the back-to-back crowns the program won in 2013 and ’14.
The Mariners, along with a gaggle of other top teams, will look to round into top early-season form at the UBC Invitational set to begin its two-day run Friday at historic War Memorial Gymnasium.
The 32-team event, which wraps up Saturday, is star-studded to say the least, with the top eight AAA teams in B.C. all represented in the field.
As well, five of the top 10-ranked Double A teams will also take part, including two top Abbotsford-based teams in the form of the No. 1 MEI Eagles, and the No. 7 defending B.C.champion Abbotsford Christian Knights.
Here are the first set of rankings for the 2018-19 season courtesy of the B.C. High School Boys Volleyball Association.
TRIPLE A
1 Earl Marriott Mariners (Surrey)
2 Claremont Spartans (Victoria)
3 Mt. Boucherie Bears (Kelowna)
4 Kelowna Owls
5 Oak Bay Barbers
6 Argyle Pipers (North Vancouver)
7 Mt. Baker Wild (Cranbrook)
8 Riverside Rapids (Port Coquitlam)
9 Seaquam Seahawks (North Delta)
10 Yale Lions (Abbotsford)
Honourable mention — Penticton Lakers, Burnaby North Vikings, Eric Hamber Griffins (Vancouver)
DOUBLE A
1 MEI Eagles (Abbotsford)
2 Langley Christian Lightning
3 College Heights Cougars (Prince George)
4 Pacific Christian Pacers (Victoria)
5 George Elliot Coyotes (Lake Country)
6 Langley Fundamental Titans
7 Abbotsford Christian Knights
8 Mark Isfeld Ice (Courtenay)
9 Kelly Road Roadrunners (Prince George)
10 Prince Margaret Mustangs (Penticton)
Honourable mention — Duchess Park Condors (Prince George), McRoberts Strikers (Richmond), St. Michaels University School Blue Jags
SINGLE A
1 Vernon Christian Royals
2 Centennial Christian Seahawks(Terrace)
3 Credo Christian Kodiaks (Langley)
4 Kelowna Christian Knights
5 Mt. Sentinel Wildcats (South Slocan)
6 Cedars Christian Eagles (Prince George)
7 St. Andrews Sabres (Victoria)
8 Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Auroras (Smithers)
9 Unity Christian Flames(Chilliwack)
10 Fernie Falcons
Honourable mention — Vancouver Christian Phoenix, Chetwynd Cavaliers
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