High School Volleyball Controversy: Forfeits Over Transgender Teammate Impact Season

High School Volleyball Controversy: Forfeits Over Transgender Teammate Impact Season

A teammate of a transgender athlete on a California high school girls’ volleyball team recently shared her concerns regarding multiple teams forfeiting games against them this season.

Several schools scheduled to compete against the Jurupa Valley High School girls’ volleyball team have already chosen to forfeit their games. The controversial player, AB Hernandez, who gained attention during the spring track and field season, is also a member of the girls’ volleyball squad.

Alyssa McPherson expressed her frustration during an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “America Reports,” where she discussed the unfortunate consequences of these forfeits on her senior year.

“I just feel like it’s so unfair that not only am I missing out on my senior season but my other teammates, our JV team, and our freshmen team aren’t playing either,” McPherson stated. “It’s just so disheartening that they’re not gonna have a season and we just want to be able to compete, play and have fun.”

As her final volleyball season draws closer, McPherson conveyed her desire to enjoy the sport, yet feels increasingly that they are being “robbed” of that opportunity.

“To me, I feel like this is just a fairness issue,” she added. “I just want to be able to compete and play and have fun in my last year. I feel like I got robbed of that. I’ve been looking forward to it since my freshman year and I don’t have the opportunity to do that this year. It’s just so sad.”

A Mother’s Perspective on the Controversy

Maribel Munoz, McPherson’s mother, has reached out to school administrators regarding the impact of forfeits on her daughter and the volleyball program.

“I’ve complained multiple times to the administration and they just disregard our feelings, our position, really,” Munoz explained. “I think they just focus more on one particular student versus the many. And that’s why we’re here. We want awareness about my daughter and the multiple other girls that are missing out on this opportunity.”

She elaborated on why her daughter doesn’t perceive the controversy as a safety issue.

“The safety issue – she doesn’t see it so far as that because she plays at a high competitive level as well,” Munoz noted. “She plays on a volleyball club team. She’s used to a higher caliber. So, she doesn’t see it as a safety (issue) in that aspect. It’s about the unfairness and the injustice that we’re being dealt with right now.”

Further Developments and Official Statements

Two additional forfeits occurred over the weekend, intensifying the situation.

In an official statement to Fox News Digital, Jurupa Valley acknowledged the forfeits and their impact on the players:

“We understand and acknowledge the disappointment of our Jurupa Valley High School athletes who are ready and prepared to play. Decisions to cancel matches were made by teams in other districts,” the statement emphasized.

As it stands, Jurupa Valley High School District is committed to following California law, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and requires that students be allowed to participate on athletic teams corresponding with their gender identity.

“We are proud of our JVHS Jaguars and their willingness to play any team and represent their school and our district with pride. We are working to find additional matches to give them that opportunity,” the statement concluded.

Reaction from Riverside Poly High School

The situation gained national attention when Riverside Poly High School’s girls’ volleyball team announced its decision to forfeit an August 15 game, with many parents voicing their concerns about the inclusion of AB Hernandez on the opposing team.

Nereyda Hernandez, AB’s mother, shared her thoughts on the issue. She expressed understanding of the discomfort some individuals experience.

“I understand the discomfort some may feel, because I was once there, too. The difference is, I chose to learn, to grow, and to open my heart,” she stated. “Believe me, I know some people genuinely don’t understand what it means to be transgender. I’m still learning too, right alongside my child. That is why I choose not to respond with anger or disrespect. Instead, I choose empathy, because learning takes time, and compassion makes all the difference.”

Hernandez continued, “My baby is petite. What sets her apart is not her size or strength, but her skill and the way she plays the game. This is a child, and I can assure you that she sees your daughters as peers, as teammates, as friends, not through a lens of anything inappropriate. I know it may be hard to understand, but she is just another girl who wants to play.”

She closed her statement by saying, “Finally, I leave you with this: My child is so innocent, she didn’t even realize the forfeited games were because of her.”

Looking Ahead: The Need for Unity and Understanding

This situation highlights the tensions surrounding the inclusion of transgender athletes in competitive sports. As discussions about fairness in athletics and gender identity continue, all parties involved must seek to foster understanding and empathy. While the Jurupa Valley High School girls’ volleyball team experiences challenges this season, their desire to compete remains strong.

Engagement with various perspectives will be essential in finding a path forward that balances fairness and inclusion in sports for every athlete. The focus should ultimately be on the joy of competition, teamwork, and personal growth.

In the face of adversity, it is crucial for all involved to unite and support one another in the mission to enhance sportsmanship. A collective effort is necessary to ensure that every athlete, regardless of gender identity, has the chance to shine on the court.