WOODBURY— The Berkshire League, one of Connecticut’s smallest athletic conferences, isn’t always thought of as an athletic power despite its claim to numerous state titles over recent years. On the tennis court, NHS’ Luke Primini helped to reaffirm the BL as a league that can add boys tennis to its many accolades. 

Even as a sophomore, Primini starred as NHS boys tennis’ #1 singles, a team that earned a trip to the Class M state finals. 

On May 19th the Nonnewaug boys tennis team attended the Berkshire league tournament at Hotchkiss High School, an event that brought Primini and his team to the league title match against Shepaug. At the end of the tournament, Primini came out on top, becoming a BL all star and getting first place overall in the singles tournament.    

For Primini, a senior who is known to defer attention and share the limelight with his peers, believes that his teammates played a big role in his successful season this year. 

“I think my key to success was probably my teammates,” Primini said. “Every practice we’re working together, and giving each other advice on how to get better.”

NHS boys tennis coach Nick Sheikh sees the work that Primini puts in and knows how valuable of a player he is to the Chiefs tennis program.   

“Luke always keeps a positive attitude,” Sheikh said. “He doesn’t always show emotion, which can be a big asset when you’re playing big matches, where a part of competing is kind of figuring out your opponent and what they’re doing and how they’re managing the match and Luke does a good job of navigating that.”

Echoing Sheikh’s ideas, NHS junior and second singles player Liam Tracy also notices how Primini devotes himself to the game and how inspirational he is for his teammates. 

“In tennis he never really fatigues, his mental game is elite, he never gets angry and his skill is definitely known,” Tracy said. “Recently he has helped me develop a better serve and he’s just been a good role model again for the metal aspect of the game.”  

The boys finished off their season with a 10-2 in league record with their only losses to the Shepaug Spartans. On Monday June 1st the Chiefs played in their second round of the state tournament and, unfortunately, let up another loss to the Spartans. 

On June 7th Primini attended the 2026 individual boys tennis tournament and played an intense match against Greenwich. 

For Primini, this season has taught him critical skills that will prepare him his next steps as a college athlete where Primini will play for Mount St. Mary’s College (NY). 

“This year was definitely one of my favorite seasons,” Primini said, “One of my more competitive seasons too. I lost a bunch of matches, which hasn’t really happened so it was good to challenge.”

Although the tournament didn’t turn out how he hoped, Primini will most certainly look to keep his positive attitude next year as Sheikh anticipates.    

“He’s going to continue that [at the college level] and look to be more aggressive when he can be,” Sheikh said, “especially against strong players, which he’s capable of doing.”