Williamsburg, KY – Patriots defender Trinity Brown and men's tennis player Martin Barbier have been selected as the March Athletes of the Month, announced by the athletic department Friday. The University of the Cumberlands Athletic Department in conjunction with their corporate partner Appalachian Wireless are presenting the "Appalachian Wireless Athletes of the Month", which will be award to one male and one female student-athlete each month.

Brown was named the female athlete of the month honors after helping the Patriots go 8-0 on the month with four of those wins coming against teams ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Top-10 Coaches' Poll. Brown has been unstoppable recording 76 draw controls, 24 caused turnovers, and 19 ground balls on the month.  She opened the month with five ground balls, five draw controls and five caused turnovers, while anchoring the defense that limited tenth-ranked Missouri Baptist to just two goals.  The junior scooped at least ten draw controls four times on the month, including a career-high 14 in the win over Ave Maria.  Against top-ranked Keiser, Brown notched four caused turnovers and five draw controls, including one that directly led to the game-winning goal.  The Fayetteville, GA native added a career-high three assists against Marian and has set the single season record for caused turnovers with 35.  On the month, Brown has been named the Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week three times and the NAIA Defensive Player of the Week twice.

Barbier earned the male athlete of the month honors after posting a 17-1 record on the month playing the top spot.  Barbier had an impressive month going a perfect 9-0 at #1 doubles with partner Eric Banoub.  The tandem has limited their opponents to three or fewer points in eight matches on the month and tallied a pair of 6-0 wins.  The duo also posted a 6-3 win over Nathan Cooke and Ben Grumley of William Woods, who is ranked #25 in the ITA Doubles.  Barbier also had success at #1 singles going 8-1 on the month winning six of those matches in straight sets.  The senior has a three-set win over #39 Ben Grumley of William Woods, while also maintaining a consistent presence in the win column for UC.  On the month the Patriots have gone 8-1 with all eight wins being a sweep.  Five of those teams are ranked in the NAIA Coaches Poll, while the Patriots defeated Austin Peay on March 23 for just their second win over a NCAA D1 opponent.  Barbier is the #30 singles player in the ITA and half of #16 doubles team along with Banoub.    

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