The Wildcats dealt a devastating blow to an unsuspecting Millersville tennis team Tuesday, thrashing the Marauders 8-1 in its season opener.

In singles action, the ‘Cats looked strong as they won five out of six matches and they continued their dominance over Millersville in doubles action, sweeping all of the matches, 3-0.

The team was led by senior Brad Adams, who beat his opponent in two straight sets, 6-2 and 6-1.

Adams also cruised to an 8-3 victory in doubles with sophomore Aaron Kusza. Not to be overlooked, Ryan Devine, Richard Baraldi, Carl Fenzl and Andy O’Neil all had very impressive matches, winning in straight sets over their opponents. The other two doubles victories were by John Toppel and Justin Goulet and Sean Gallagher and Brendan Mahoney. Toppel and Goulet played a strong match, winning 8-5, while Gallagher and Mahoney cruised to an easy 8-2 victory.

The men will take part in the Haverford Invitational this weekend and then continue their season next Tuesday as they take on Big Five rival La Salle.

On Sept. 12, the women’s team started out its fall campaign, with a victory against La Salle. ‘Nova was strong in every match, dominating the play, to finish up by winning eight out of the nine matches.

The team destroyed La Salle in singles matches, winning all six of them. In addition, they did not disappoint in the doubles, as the won two out of three matches, only losing a very competitive match, then ended up having to go to a tie breaker, where La Salle was able to sneak by 9-8 (7-5).

The team was led by senior Stephane Ariot, as she picked up a win in the first singles match. Ariot struggled to begin the match, dropping the first set, but battled back and took the last two sets easily, winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. Other single wins were picked up by senior Jennifer Zick, junior’s Jessie Rybacki and Erica Walter, sophomore Courtney Flezzani and freshman Lindsey Puchyr. One of the doubles wins came from the pairing of Flezzani and Rybacki. The other came from Morgan Flezzani and Walter.

“Steph Ariot played a very tough match competing in the first singles position and winning in three sets. Also, Jessie Rybacki did not lose a game in her 6-0, 6-0 victory at the number three spot.”

“The team played well, they went out and played the way that they should.”

The women’s team will play in the Bucknell Invitational this weekend, at Lewisburg, Pa., before playing Delaware Tuesday.