Seven California high school girls’ volleyball teams have taken a bold stand by forfeiting games rather than compete against a transgender player.
Story Highlights
- Seven teams forfeit matches against Jurupa Valley High School over transgender athlete participation
- Female teammates file lawsuit against their own school district and state agencies
- Forfeits span multiple schools including Riverside Poly, Orange Vista, and San Dimas
- Legal action challenges decade-long California policy allowing biological males in girls’ sports
Teams Stand United Against Unfair Competition
Multiple California high school volleyball teams have refused to compete against Jurupa Valley High School due to transgender athlete AB Hernandez on their roster. The forfeiting schools include Riverside Poly, Rim of the World, Orange Vista, AB Miller, Aquinas, Yucaipa, and San Dimas. These coordinated forfeits represent the largest organized protest against transgender participation in high school girls’ sports, demonstrating how female athletes are fighting back against policies that compromise competitive integrity and safety.
Watch: High School Volleyball Controversy: Teams Forfeit Over Transgender Player Lawsuit – YouTube
Legal Challenge Emerges from Within
On September 9, 2025, several Jurupa Valley players filed a lawsuit against their own school district and state agencies. The plaintiffs include Madison and Alyssa McPherson, Hadeel Hazameh, and their families, represented by Advocates for Faith & Freedom. This unprecedented legal action demonstrates how deeply these policies have divided teams, forcing female athletes to choose between their competitive opportunities and their principles regarding fair play in women’s sports.
7 Calif. Girls HS Volleyball Teams Forfeit Games against Transgender Player – GOD BLESS THESE GIRLS. https://t.co/IfUVKyolY5
— Jon Holloway (@HX1MAN) September 22, 2025
California Policy Creates Decade of Controversy
The California Interscholastic Federation has allowed transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity for approximately ten years. AB Hernandez previously competed in girls’ track and field events at the state championships in June 2025 before joining the volleyball team. This long-standing policy directly contradicts common-sense principles of biological reality and competitive fairness, creating situations where female athletes face unfair physical disadvantages and privacy concerns in locker rooms.
National Movement Gains Momentum
The California forfeits reflect a growing national resistance to transgender inclusion policies in women’s sports. While Riverside Poly issued statements about maintaining a “safe environment for all student-athletes,” parents and community members have clearly stated their opposition to biological males competing against their daughters. This grassroots movement represents parents and athletes refusing to accept the erosion of Title IX protections that were specifically designed to ensure equal opportunities for female athletes.
The coordinated nature of these forfeits signals a significant shift in how communities are responding to policies that prioritize ideological compliance over competitive fairness and student safety. As the lawsuit proceeds and more teams consider similar actions, this controversy could establish important legal precedents protecting the rights of female athletes nationwide.
Sources:
California High School Forfeits Volleyball Match Featuring Transgender Athlete – Prep Network
California girls volleyball players refuse to participate alongside transgender teammate – Fox News
California Volleyball Teams Refuse to Play Team with Transgender Player – Stateline Sports Network
