Williamsburg, KY – It was an incredible week highlighted by record breaking performances and historic wins.  For their efforts during their respective fall championship outside hitter Brynnley Bryant and runner Ishak Mekideche have been named the Pepsi Athletes of the Week, the athletic department announced Monday.
 
Brynnley Bryant earned athlete of the week honors after helping UC reach the NAIA final site for the first time in program history.   Bryant tallied a career-high 21 kills along with a .348 attacking in the match.  The sophomore also tallied 12 digs in the match.  After dropping the first set, Bryant notched seven kills in the second set including one to make it 37-36 as the Pats took the set 38-36 to even the score at 1-1.  She added seven kills in the third set, before notching four kills in the fourth set as Cumberlands knocked off Columbia International to advance to Sioux City.
 
Ishak Mekideche earned athlete of the week honors after an amazing performance during the NAIA Championship.  The MSC Runner of the Year, crossed the line in 24:34.6 to place fifth overall. Mekideche was consistently in the top-10 of the field and surged two spots over the final 1k to earn the top-five finish and All-American honors.  That finish is tied for the second best finish by a Patriot runner during a NAIA Championship.  His performance also helped Cumberlands to a third-place team finish.
 
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