The controversy surrounding transgender athlete AB Hernandez continues to disrupt California high school volleyball as two additional schools have chosen to forfeit their scheduled matches rather than compete against Jurupa Valley High School.
Rim of the World High School and Orange Vista High School have both withdrawn from upcoming games scheduled for August 25 and 29 respectively, according to Fox Sports reports.
The forfeits were confirmed through messages sent by coach Liana Manu to parents of Jurupa Valley players, with copies provided by Maribel Munoz, mother of a female player on the team’s roster.
Hernandez helped lead the Lady Jags to an undefeated season and championship last year. He also achieved success in track and field, recently claiming gold medals in both high jump and triple jump at state championships.
The latest forfeits add to growing tensions that began earlier this month when Riverside Poly Bears also pulled out of their scheduled match, creating scheduling challenges for the team and its athletes.
In response to the ongoing situation, a Jurupa Valley Unified School District spokesperson addressed the matter directly: “We understand and acknowledge the disappointment of our Jurupa Valley High School athletes who are ready and prepared to play. Decisions to cancel matches were made by teams in other districts.”
The district emphasized their legal obligations under California law, stating they are “compelled to follow the law, which protects students from discrimination based on gender identity and requires that students be permitted to participate on athletic teams that are consistent with their gender identity (California Education Code 221.5 (f)).”
The controversy reached a public forum when Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda, appeared before the Riverside Unified School District board meeting to defend her child. Her emotional testimony directly challenged board member Amanda Vickers, who had previously spoken about the forfeit situation.
“You actually entertained and welcomed harassment to my child,” Nereyda Hernandez told the board. “You are a board member. You have an oath to protect, to support all children, not just the ones that fit your ideas, your beliefs.”
She continued her defense, arguing that “When you allow or tolerate targeted harassment, whether online, in person or allowing false narratives to be spread at board meetings, you are only failing morally.”
Hernandez’s mother rejected the notion that her daughter was the source of the problem, instead pointing to “coordinated external efforts… to spread fear and pit parents against each other using religion as a shield for discrimination.” She insisted that “This has nothing to do with fairness in sports and everything to do with erasing transgender children. My daughter is a student, an athlete and a girl and she deserves the same protections and dignity as every other child.”
Other parents also spoke at the meeting, with some alleging that the teenager has been “stalked (and) followed,” describing the situation as “gross negligence” that puts the student “in danger.”
However, the board meeting also featured opposing viewpoints. Maria Correo voiced support for the Riverside Poly players who chose not to compete, stating: “Poly girls, we stand with you. Keep fighting, because these parents that support their confused child are the problem.”
She drew a controversial comparison, adding: “If my child was on d**gs, I would love him, but guess what? I would tell him the truth: dr**s are bad for you. I would not feed him more dr**s.”
The Jurupa Valley district has indicated they are actively working to address the scheduling disruptions caused by the forfeits. “We are proud of our JVHS Jaguars and their willingness to play any team and represent their school and our district with pride. We are currently working to find additional matches to give them that opportunity,” the district spokesperson noted.
The forfeits have left Jurupa Valley’s volleyball program scrambling to maintain a competitive schedule.
