Williamsburg, KY – After playing pivotal roles in getting their respective teams off to a strong start, Patriots forward Jayden Boelter and outside hitter Allyson Grava have been selected as the August Athletes of the Month presented by The Brick Oven, the athletic department announced Thursday. The University of the Cumberlands Athletic Department in conjunction with their corporate partner The Brick Oven are presenting the "The Brick Oven Athletes of the Month", which will be awarded to the top two student-athletes each month.

Boelter earned athlete of the month honors after recording five goals, an assist, and 11 points over the Patriots first four games.  Boelter opened the season with her third career hat trick, this one coming against 19^th-ranked Truett McConnell.  The sophomore netted UC's first goal of the season and added a pair of goals in the second half to help Cumberlands earn a 4-3 win.  It was Boelter's first hat trick since October 15, 2021.    The Hebron, KY native followed it up with a goal and an assist in the Patriots 2-1 win over third-ranked Central Methodist.  Boelter netted a goal in the 12' and later found Alba Lorca for the game-winning goal in the 70' to give UC its first top-five road win since at least 2001.  The sophomore capped off her month by netting the lone goal in UC's 1-0 win over (RV) Jamestown.  Cumberlands is 3-0-1 on the year with all four matches coming against ranked opponents.  Boelter is currently fifth in the NAIA with five goals, while her 11 points rank sixth in the country.

Grava was named athlete of the month after tallying 111 kills, 3.47 kills per set, and 99 digs during August.  Her 111 kills so far this season are the ninth most in the NAIA, while she is ranked in the top-five of the Mid-South Conference in kills and kills per set.  Grava is also ranked sixth in the MSC in digs.  The sophomore opened the season with a career-high 18 kills and added 16 digs in the win over Truett McConnell.  The Goodlettsville, TN native followed that up with 15 kills in the sweep over Florida College.  Grava's performance helped her be named to the All-Tournament Team for the Vette City Classic.  Grava followed it up with another strong showing at the Milligan Mountain Madness Tournament as she helped the Patriots go 3-1 on the weekend.  The sophomore tallied double-digit kills in three matches, including a pair of double-doubles.  Her most notable came against Milligan where she recorded 17 kills and 20 digs in a five set win.  Grava was named to the All-Tournament Team for the second time in the month and also garnered MSC Attacker of the Week.  Grava closed out the month with 14 kills and seven digs in the sweep over Tennessee Wesleyan.  She helped the Patriots get off to a 6-3 start on the season.  

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