The Riverside Poly varsity girls volleyball team forfeited last Friday’s scheduled nonleague home match against Jurupa Valley.
The Riverside Unified School District announced the decision on its social media platforms Friday afternoon, a few hours before the match’s scheduled start time.
“Riverside Poly High School’s girls volleyball team will not take the court for tonight’s scheduled game against Jurupa Valley High School,” the posts read. “This match will be recorded as a forfeit in nonleague standings. We understand this is disappointing for our athletes, families and supporters, and we appreciate the community’s understanding. We remain committed to providing a safe, positive environment for all student-athletes throughout the season.”
The statement gave no reason for the forfeit, but it is widely believed it was done in protest of Jurupa Valley’s volleyball roster including transgender athlete AB Hernandez.
Hernandez is a senior who has competed on Jurupa Valley’s girls varsity volleyball and track and field teams since the 2022-2023 school year. Hernandez was the subject of protests during last season’s track and field season. Hernandez placed first in the girls high jump and triple jump events at the CIF State Championships in May and also finished second in the girls long jump.
The CIF introduced a pilot entry program prior to the state meet that allowed an additional student to compete in the events that Hernandez was competing in. The same program allowed for a cisgender female competitor who was displaced by Hernandez to share placings in those respective events.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Fred Brayton, a parent of a Riverside Poly player, said the decision to forfeit the volleyball match was made by the team.
“The decision was not about hatred or anything negative. Trans people still have rights but not a right to play sports against the opposite sex,” Brayton told Fox News Digital.
“It is not about AB. It is about women need[ing] to play against other women. It is about boys participating in girls sports. The small minority of the community that thinks we are discriminating have it wrong. You can be trans all day long but you can’t be a boy and play girls sports. You can still go about being trans but probably need to focus on that and not playing sports against the opposite sex.”
Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda, responded on Instagram to Poly’s decision to forfeit the match. She also referenced a California state law that has allowed athletes to compete in the gender in which they identify since 2014.
“When we follow California law and school policies, especially those that protect the rights of ALL students, we are more than just rule-followers,” the post read. “We are respectful, inclusive, and principled citizens. Even when others choose to be a negative influence, we stand for fairness, dignity, and equality.”
“It’s not always easy, but doing the right thing matters, especially when it supports those who are often marginalized or misunderstood. By choosing respect and inclusion, we help build a school and a society where everyone feels safe, valued, and seen. No matter what challenges come our way, we will continue to respect one another, and each other’s families with compassion and understanding.”
The Jurupa Valley girls volleyball team’s next match is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 25, against Rim of the World.
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