Williamsburg, KY – With strong performances to close out the week tennis player Tomomi Nagao and outfielder Seth Benner have been selected as the Pepsi Athletes of the Week, announced by the athletic department Monday.
 
Nagao was named the female athlete of the week after helping the Patriots capture their first Mid-South Conference tournament title in program history.  Nagao went 2-0 at #1 doubles and 2-0 at #1 singles throughout the tournament.  The senior opened the tournament teaming with Johanna Beckmann at #1 doubles for a 6-1 win over Georgetown's Lydia Prince and Samantha Spady to help Cumberlands take the doubles point en route to a 4-0 win. UC's top duo added a 6-1 against Campbellsville to give the Patriots the early advantage.  In singles play, Nagao defeated Oriana Espinoza in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 to give Cumberlands a 3-0 in the semifinals.  In the championship match, Nagao faced her second straight ranked-opponent going up against Alexandra Parra of Lindsey Wilson.  Nagao dropped the first set but rallied in the second set to force a decisive third set.  The MSC Player of the Year dominated the third set 6-0 to clinch the match and give UC the tournament title.
 
Benner earned the male athlete of the week honors after notching hitting .583 with seven hits, six rbi's and ten runs scored.  The freshman opened the week strong going 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the win over Midway.  He followed that up by going 2-3 with two solo homers and a pair of walks in the Patriots win over Alice Lloyd.  Against Georgetown, Benner collected a pair of hits and five walks, which allowed him to cross the plate six times in the series.  In the second game of the series the Georgetown, KY native went 2-3 with an RBI single in the second inning, before blasting a two-run shot in the fourth inning to extend the Patriots lead to 4-1. Cumberlands finished the week 5-0 and have now won 12 straight.
 
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