JURUPA VALLEY — The Jurupa Valley High School varsity girls volleyball team did something Thursday evening it hadn’t done in nearly three weeks.
Play a match.
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Jurupa Valley players celebrate after winning a girls volleyball match against Chaffey in Jurupa Valley on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Valley players celebrate after winning a girls volleyball match against Chaffey in Jurupa Valley on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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The Jaguars hosted a nonleague match against Chaffey High School on Thursday, marking the team’s first official match since wrapping up a tournament Saturday, Aug. 18. Jurupa Valley’s scheduled matches against Rim of the World (Aug, 25) and Orange Vista (Aug. 29) were forfeited.
Those represent four matches now forfeited this season. Riverside Poly was the first, forfeiting its scheduled match against Jurupa Valley back on Aug. 15. Jacqueline Paul, director of strategic communications for the Jurupa Unified School District, confirmed Miller High School has forfeited a match originally scheduled to be played Wednesday, Sept. 10. Paul said none of the schools that have forfeited matches have provided the school or district a reason.
However, it is widely believed the decision to forfeit matches is because Jurupa Valley’s girls volleyball roster includes 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 at the CIF State finals back in May and also placed second in the long jump. California state law has allowed athletes to compete in the gender in which they identify since 2014.
But the only drama Thursday was the topsy-turvy nature of the match, as both teams had opportunities to capture each of the four sets that were played.
Chaffey raced to leads in each of the sets, but Jurupa Valley overcame those early mistakes and walked away with a 25-22, 25-19, 16-25, 28-26 victory.
Jurupa Valley coach Liana Manu said she was excited to wake up Thursday morning knowing her players were going to have a match later that evening.
“This was amazing, especially to be out there in front of our home crowd,” Manu said. “Most of these girls have not had the opportunity to play in front of their friends and family this season. They were all excited to finally have that chance…. And we are super grateful to Chaffey High School for playing us. They were amazing opponents and competitors. They really pushed us and made us earn this victory. I wish them all the success the rest of the season.”
Chaffey nearly forced a decisive fifth set, as the Tigers had four set points in the fourth frame. Jurupa Valley won the final three points to secure the win. Chaffey coach Tiffany Dolven-Strang declined comment following the match.
The spectators for both teams were respectful during the match, cheering for their players and refraining from jeers. If any snide or negative comments were made, they were not audible to players on the court.
Manu said the Jaguars still are scheduled to compete in the Freeway Games tournament hosted by Santiago and Roosevelt high schools Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13. There will be multiple teams participating at that tournament, so additional forfeits are possible.
Jurupa Valley will begin River Valley League play later this month. The Jaguars are scheduled to have two matches apiece against the league’s other five members schools: La Sierra, Norte Vista, Patriot Ramona, Rubidoux Emails were sent to the athletic directors of those schools last month inquiring about the status of those games. None replied back. Manu said, at the moment, none of the schools have informed the school or district about forfeiting matches.
Manu said it has been challenging keeping the team prepared while knowing an opponent can forfeit a match at any time.
“We just keep hitting the gym and practicing regularly, making sure we are ready at a moment’s notice,” Manu said. “These players and their parents have been really good about staying focused. We are just trying to keep that fire alive and doing everything we can to keep that Lady Jags spirit alive and well.”
