Two California high school seniors, Hadeel Hazameh and Alyssa McPherson, are suing their school district for alleged Title IX violations after being denied bench access during a playoff game following their decision to step away from the team in protest of a transgender player. They allege that their volleyball coach, Liana Manu, refused to allow them to sit with teammates on the bench during the game despite their requests. The teens, who were barred from sitting with teammates on the bench, sought to watch the game as spectators and ended up joining a group of protesters in the crowd, where they faced harassment from some spectators.
After sitting with their teammates for senior night earlier this month, the two teens alleged that their coach told them they had to ask for bench access in advance. When they attempted to sit with the,