Yet, because of his low 18s ranking, Rapp had to play a round of 32 match Thursday at Whittier Narrows Tennis Center just to make it to Seal Beach.
"I mean, I don't have a ranking [in the 18s]," Rapp said. "Going into [Friday], I knew I was going to get one of the top four kids [first]. I was like, 'Aw man, who is that? Alec and [two-time defending champion] Gage [Brymer] and all of these kids?' I was just thinking, 'Aw man, I've got to play well.'"
Rapp certainly did that.
He pulled off a huge win, upsetting Adamson with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory to end the CdM team captain's season and high school career.
Rapp went on to defeat Eli Whittle of Arroyo Grande, advancing to Saturday's semifinals where he'll play Victor Brown of Alta Loma. Brymer, of University High, plays James Wade of San Marino in the other singles semifinal. The championship match will follow.
"It's fun to be in singles, because it's just another level," Rapp said. "First round, I get Alec, and he's one of the better kids out here. I mean, it was tough. All of these kids out here are tough.
"I liked [facing Adamson first] because I've played him before and I knew what to expect. I mean, I've never beaten him before. I knew it was going to be a really, really tough. I had to play well to even have a chance at winning. I just played the best I could. Maybe he was a little off, I couldn't really tell, but I just played the best I could. If I was a little off today, I would have lost."
Adamson, who is ranked No. 10 in Southern California in the 18s, got off to a hot start. He was up 3-0 in the first set. Rapp rallied back on serve, but he fell behind love-40 while serving at 4-5.
