Shocking volleyball incident explained.
The California girls’ volleyball world was rocked last week when Jurupa Valley High School’s transgender star, AB Hernandez, saw her scheduled game against Riverside Poly mysteriously canceled.
Hernandez’s early athletic career highlighted.
AB Hernandez began playing volleyball at age 12, quickly earning recognition for her athletic skill, leadership, and determination on the court.
From the start, questions arose over her eligibility and fairness, though coaches consistently defended her right to play.
Teammates and family formed a close-knit support network as Hernandez began to attract local attention.
Her participation in girls’ sports gradually became a symbol in the larger debate over transgender athletes, attracting media coverage beyond Riverside County.
Previous incidents and harassment profiled.
In May, at Yorba Linda High School, Hernandez was heckled by 30 adults—including three school board members—while competing in a track meet.
The disruption allegedly caused Hernandez to false start, underscoring how intense and personal the harassment had become.
“There’s nothing I can do about people’s actions, just focus on my own,” she said, showing maturity beyond her years.
“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,” Hernandez added.
Hernandez faced further protests at postseason meets, with attendees wearing “Save Girls Sports” T-shirts, which officials reportedly likened to swastikas.
The August 15 forfeit detailed.
Hernandez was set to play Riverside Poly High School on August 15 with her Jurupa Valley team.
The game was canceled, with Riverside Poly issuing a statement about understanding community disappointment and maintaining a safe environment.
Multiple parents later told Fox Digital that the match was forfeited due to Hernandez’s inclusion, not the players’ decision.
Amanda Vickers of Riverside Unified publicly stated, “Tonight, the girls of Riverside Poly High School, they’re not going to end up like Payton McNabb,” referencing a prior volleyball injury involving a trans athlete.
Political reactions unveiled.
President Donald Trump referenced the controversy on Truth Social, warning that California schools violating his policies risk losing federal funding.
He cited ongoing legal battles with the California Department of Education and CIF, claiming their policies violate federal anti-discrimination laws.
Trump’s directive emphasizes withholding funds from schools that allow transgender girls to compete in female sports.
Earlier in 2025, he signed an order opposing male participation in women’s sports, citing safety, fairness, and privacy.
Trump declared, “The war on women’s sports is over,” framing transgender participation as a national policy issue.
Mother’s statement confirmed.
On August 21, local parents attended a Riverside Unified School District meeting to discuss the forfeit and related gender policies.
Some parents defended their children’s choice to forfeit, while others criticized the board’s handling of transgender student inclusion.
Nereyda Hernandez, AB’s mother, strongly condemned the comments and actions against her child as “entertaining and welcoming harassment.”
She emphasized, “My daughter is not the problem. The problem is coordinated external efforts often led by individuals that travel from district to district… to spread fear.”
Nereyda accused critics of using religion to manipulate parents and attack transgender students.
She reminded board members of their duty: “You have an oath to protect, to support all children, not just the ones that fit your ideas, your beliefs.”
Hernandez’s case inspires debates.
The canceled match has sparked heated local debates and drew national media attention.
Supporters praise Hernandez’s courage and dedication, while critics argue her inclusion is unfair, keeping the story in headlines.
Every upcoming match is now a potential flashpoint, with heightened scrutiny from parents, officials, and protestors.
Hernandez’s case continues to fuel lawsuits, policy reviews, and intense discussions about transgender rights in athletics.
Nereyda remains vocal, warning that the coordinated attacks on her daughter are about erasing transgender kids, not fairness in sports.
Hernandez’s experience has become a case study in how local decisions can escalate into nationwide controversies.
The August 15 forfeit is just the beginning; AB Hernandez’s journey and the fight over transgender inclusion in sports show no signs of slowing down.