PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's tennis team soundly defeated Vermont State University Castleton in their home opener on Wednesday evening, defeating the Spartans 8-1. Plattsburgh won all three of their doubles matches and nearly all of their singles events in the home opening win.

With the win, Plattsburgh moves to 2-0 on the season and will next begin conference play at SUNY Oneonta on Friday, Sept. 8. Castleton falls to 0-2 with the loss and will also open up league play with their next game, when they take on UMass Dartmouth on Saturday, Sept. 9.

The Cardinals opened up their day strong, cruising to three doubles wins. The No. 3 doubles crew of Jacqueline Svantner (West Nyack, N.Y./Clarkstown South) and Hallie Hurwitz (Beekmantown, N.Y./Beekmantown) were the first to finish, winning their match 8-0. Samantha Svantner (West Nyack, N.Y./Clarkstown South) and Nicole Svantner (West Nyack, N.Y./Clarkstown South) were the next to follow in No. 1 doubles, winning 8-3 and Ava Carey (Nanuet, N.Y./Nanuet) and Jacklin Mitchell (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Peru) won at No. 2 Doubles 8-5 to finish doubles play. 

In singles play, Megan Phelps (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) earned her first career win to earn the first victory for Plattsburgh State on the singles side. Nicole and Samantha Svantner each handled their opponents, winning 6-1, 6-1 and 6-2, 6-4 in No. 2 and No. 1 singles, respectively. Sarah Benowitz (New City, N.Y../Clarkstown North) earned the next victory at No. 3 singles, winning decisively by scores of 6-1, 6-2. The final win of the day for Plattsburgh was at No. 5 singles, where Carey won 6-1, 6-1 to clinch the eighth match victory of the day for the Cardinals.