Press Democrat’s top boys tennis player dominated on court

Last year, Maria Carrillo’s Luke Negri was nearly unstoppable as the No. 2 singles player for the Pumas.

This year, however, he took it to another level.

The undisputed No. 1 player on a Pumas squad that went undefeated in league play, Negri took the North Bay League by storm, going undefeated in his individual NBL matches without dropping a set.

He also represented the NBL at the North Coast Section Division 1 tennis championships, held at Santa Rosa’s La Cantera Racquet and Swim Club.

That’s why it’s an easy choice to name Negri as the The Press Democrat’s boys tennis player of the year for 2024.

Negri led the Pumas to their ninth consecutive NBL championship, which included his 7-5, 6-3 title win at No. 1 singles. Carrillo’s top player finished his high school career going 4-for-4 in league championships.

In the past three seasons, Negri also reached the NCS individual championship tournaments — twice at doubles before making it as a singles player this past spring.

And even though he graduated in June, Negri is not done on the tennis court. He wants to continue playing in college.

You can reach Staff Writer Kienan O’Doherty at 415-887-8650 or kienan.odoherty@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @kodoherty22.