News Summary

The recent forfeits faced by Jurupa Valley High School’s girls’ volleyball team due to the presence of transgender athlete AB Hernandez have ignited a heated community debate. Senior player Alyssa McPherson voiced frustrations about the impact on her team’s season, while school administrators clarified that opposing teams made the forfeiting decisions. The situation has heightened discussions on transgender rights in sports, drawing widespread attention and raising questions about fairness and inclusion within competitive athletics.

Controversy Erupts in California Volleyball After Forfeits Over Transgender Athlete AB Hernandez

In sunny Jurupa Valley, California, the local high school volleyball scene has taken a surprising turn, drawing the community into a heated debate. The Jurupa Valley High School girls’ volleyball team has faced multiple match forfeits from opponents due to the presence of a transgender athlete, AB Hernandez.

AB has been a topic of discussion before, having made headlines during the track and field season where she claimed gold medals in both the high jump and triple jump at the state championships in May 2025. With her recent performances, it’s easy to see why she has become a standout athlete. Now, however, the focus has shifted from her accomplishments to a controversial dilemma that’s affecting the entire volleyball team.

Alyssa McPherson Speaks Out

Senior volleyball player Alyssa McPherson has openly shared her frustrations about the forfeits, stating these decisions have impacted her senior season in an unfair manner. Many in the community are sympathizing with her, as these forfeits don’t just affect her, but also her junior varsity (JV) and freshman teammates who are left in the lurch without matches to play. The disruption of their practice schedules and competition opportunities has left the athletes feeling disheartened.

Alyssa’s mother, Maribel Munoz, has made her concerns known to school administrators, arguing that the feelings of frustration within their family are being overlooked and dismissed. While safety concerns have been raised by some individuals regarding AB’s participation, Munoz has emphasized that the issue, for her daughter and team, revolves around fairness and the fundamental right to compete.

A School District’s Statement

In response to this tough situation, the Jurupa Valley High School administration has issued a statement acknowledging the disappointment felt by the student-athletes. They clarified that the decisions to forfeit the matches were made by the opposing teams and not by their school. They also highlighted the need to adhere to California law, which protects students from discrimination based on gender identity and mandates participation in sports aligned with a student’s stated gender identity.

Recently, Riverside Poly High School made headlines when they chose to forfeit a match scheduled for August 15, 2025, citing AB’s presence as the reason. Following suit, two more teams, Rim of the World High School and Orange Vista High School, also cancelled matches planned for August 25 and August 29. These decisions have stirred a pot of emotions, with parents and players weighing in on both sides of the issue.

Calls for Empathy and Understanding

AB’s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, has been vocal in her defense of her daughter, urging the community to foster empathy and understanding toward transgender individuals in sports. She implores everyone to see her daughter as simply “just another girl who wants to play,” emphasizing that athletic abilities and skills should take precedence over identity labels.

This controversy has not only drawn attention locally but has also become a national conversation, igniting public debates over transgender rights and inclusion in school athletics. The Riverside Unified School District Board has found itself amidst charged discussions about the effects of the situation on both transgender students and their peers, revealing conflicting views and heated discussions.

As parents express concerns for AB’s safety and some supporters rally behind the forfeiting teams, a backdrop of legal challenges and societal debates continues to loom. California laws are clear on the inclusion of transgender athletes, yet the complexities of the matter reveal that the dialogue is far from settled.

With strong feelings on both sides and the personal experiences of athletes like Alyssa, the senses of community, fairness, and inclusion remain at the forefront of this unfolding drama in Jurupa Valley’s high school volleyball scene. As the struggle for balance continues, one thing is certain: this controversy isn’t disappearing anytime soon.

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