The high school volleyball career of trans athlete AB Hernandez is likely coming to an end as Jurupa Valley High School suffered a first-round loss in the California state playoffs. The defeat is expected to mark the end of Hernandez’s high school volleyball career, with her season overshadowed by national controversy and a lawsuit by two current and one former teammate. The 2025 season for Jurupa Valley was marked by a national debate involving Hernandez, which led to 10 forfeited games for the team and a lawsuit filed against the school district.
Hernandez and her teammates pressed on with the season, finishing as co-champions of the River Valley League and earning a playoff match against Valencia High School. However, this game was not a typical high school postseason match, as some Valencia players opted out of the match to avoid facing Hernandez. Women’s sports activists, including California Family Council Outreach Director Sophia Lorey, were present at the game, where they faced heckling from other spectators.
The controversy surrounding Hernandez escalated nationally after she competed in track and field events, where President Trump criticized the California government for allowing a trans athlete to compete in girls’ sports. Despite Trump’s executive order, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) maintained its policies, leading to a legal battle with the U.S. Department of Justice. The state legislature’s rejection of bills to change the policy further highlighted the political divide on the issue.
The situation also impacted the school, with two senior players stepping away from the team in protest. A lawsuit was filed by these players against the Jurupa Unified School District, citing the challenges of sharing locker rooms with Hernandez over the past three years. With the fall sports season concluding, Hernandez remains eligible for one more girls’ track and field season in the spring.