Malibu High sophomore Gabriel Rapoport won the Tri-Valley League singles tennis championship last week at Pepperdine University with a thrilling 1-6, 7-5, 10-7 victory over defending champion Kevin Bodnar of the Oaks Christian School. Meanwhile, the boys’ volleyball, baseball and lacrosse teams are in the process of wrapping up their seasons or have already done so.
Rapaport’s dramatic come-from-behind victory means that he has advanced to the CIF Individual Championships beginning Fri., May 18 at Carpinteria High School.
“I was really proud of myself because I came back from losing the first set 1-6,” Rapoport said. “It was a great match and I played extremely well.”
Malibu coach Bruce Young complimented Rapoport on his ability to fight through adversity to play his best tennis at the business end of the season.
“It was marvelous and just a great effort by Gabriel,” Young said. “He had three tough matches. Everybody he played he lost to [at one point] during the season. He kept his cool on the court and played amazing tennis.”
Rapoport, 15, lost to Bodnar in the championship match a year ago 3-6, 6-4, 11-13. It was sweet revenge this time around for Rapoport as he knocked off his league foe for the first time this season. Like Rapoport, Bodnar is a sophomore. A budding rivalry has evolved, with two more years left for intense competition and bragging rights.
“I love rivalries. We play the best against each other,” said Rapoport who has known and competed against Bodnar since the age of 10. “He’s always been a good player. I stayed mentally tough and it was great to beat him.”
A lanky 6-foot-tall southpaw with a smooth serve, Rapoport came in to the TVL singles tournament seeded third. In the quarterfinals he defeated Kevin Ross of Oak Park 6-4, 6-4 and notched a victory over Patrick Lenz of Villanova Prep in the semifinals 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. That set up a grudge match against Bodnar, who entered the title match undefeated in singles play this year.
“Last year Gabriel wasn’t as aggressive,” Young said. “This time he was pressuring more and it made a huge difference. He competed throughout the two days.”
Young has seen talented players in Daniel Moss (Pepperdine), Skyler Davis (Drexel), Doug Stewart (Virginia) and Leif Sunderland (UCLA) pass through the Malibu tennis program. Davis was the last MHS player to capture a singles league championship, winning in 2009.
The Sharks’ number one doubles team of freshmen Jessie Weinstein and Harrison White won their first tournament match 6-2, 6-2 versus Oak Park, but lost in the semifinals to Oaks Christian 6-4, 6-2 to place fourth in Tri-Valley League doubles action.
Rapoport will lead the Malibu boys’ tennis team into the California Interscholastic Federation Division III playoffs this week at South Torrance. The Sharks (10-4, 5-3) have won five of their last six matches and finished in a tie for second place in the TVL with Oak Park.
“We are making a lot of progress as a team and are looking forward to the playoffs,” Young said.
The Malibu boys’ volleyball team begins its postseason this week at Laguna Beach in the first round of the CIF Division II playoffs. The Sharks concluded their regular season with a 25-20, 25-16, 25-17 victory against Carpinteria. Malibu (11-8, 7-5) tied with Nordhoff for third place in the Tri-Valley League.
After sprinting out to a sizzling 13-1 start to begin the season, the MHS baseball team has fallen on hard times of late. The team was swept in its last two series by Oak Park and Saint Bonaventure. Malibu (14-8, 5-5) has lost seven of its last eight games and now finds itself fighting for survival in the TVL rather than seeking its first league championship since 2005.
The Sharks are currently in fourth place and need to win at least one of two games this week against Carpinteria (9-11, 4-6) to clinch a CIF playoff berth. Two losses would end the season for Malibu and give Carpinteria the final playoff spot. The season could be on the line for MHS with its final game at home on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. on Senior Day. Playoffs begin next week.
“With a team led by six seniors, dubbed the ‘Malibu 6’ who have played with each other for so long, the final stretch drive should be inspired and passion-filled ball,” Malibu Coach Ari Jacobs said. “I am excited for the series versus Carpinteria, which will be great battles and tests for us as we get ready for our CIF playoff run.”
The Malibu boys’ lacrosse squad concluded a strong season last week after being ousted 23-4 by number one ranked Palos Verdes High School in the US Lacrosse Southern Section quarterfinal playoffs. With only one senior on the roster, the junior-laden team of Sharks defeated Chadwick 10-4 in the first round. It was a successful year as MHS tied for second place in the “CA 101” league with a record of 7-5 and 10-6 overall.