Exeter junior co-captain Chase Nugent
Exeter's boys volleyball team is a perfect (10-0) after beating defending BCIAA champion Gov. Mifflin 3-1. "It feels amazing. They're our biggest rival, probably our biggest competition of the season. It means a lot...pretty stoked," said Chase Nugent. The junior outside hitter finished with a career-high 28 kills on Thursday night in Shillington. Nugent, an all-division selection last year, added five digs and two aces. The (7-3) Mustangs led the first set 15-11, but the Eagles rallied to win it 27-25. "That sets the tone of everything and it opens up a lot for us. We don't have a lot of stress on our shoulders. I think that's the most important set," remarked Nugent. Gov. Mifflin bounced back to take the second set 25-20. Exeter won the third set 25-21 and then cruised in the fourth set 25-16. Penn State commit Gaige Gabriel provided 20 kills and five digs. The 6'8 junior is a member of the U19 national team. "He's been the man. He's been like a brother to me. It's just amazing to watch him," replied Nugent. Jack Forry piled up 54 assists as the Eagles completed a regular season sweep of the Mustangs. Exeter has just one senior on its roster. The Eagles lost Berks County Player of the Year Logan Reber to graduation. They fell to Wilson 3-1 in the county semifinals a season ago. Nugent told Paul Roberts of SV Sports that he has high hopes for the future of Exeter volleyball. "We're hoping to bring home a state 'chip' at some point. That's what we're going for, that's our goal," he said.