Riverside Poly forfeits volleyball game

Riverside Poly forfeited a non league girls volleyball match against Jurupa Valley amid protests over fairness and safety in girls sports tied to a transgender athlete.

Riverside Poly forfeits girls volleyball match over trans athlete AB Hernandez

Riverside Poly High School announced it would not field its girls volleyball team for the Friday night match with Jurupa Valley High School. The district said the game would be recorded as a forfeit in non league standings and thanked the community for understanding while affirming a commitment to a safe environment for all student athletes. No official reason was provided in the statement.

Multiple Riverside Poly parents told Fox News Digital that the forfeit was meant as a protest focused on fairness and safety in girls sports, citing a transgender athlete on Jurupa Valley’s roster. They said the decision originated with the Riverside Poly players. A Riverside Poly parent described the move as bold and aimed at sending a message to the community. Jurupa Valley representatives declined to comment beyond noting the forfeit had been cancelled.

The incident sits within a wider debate about transgender participation in girls sports, a discussion that has included past lawsuits and policy changes at the regional and state levels. It follows Riverside’s earlier controversies around AB Hernandez and related debates over eligibility rules and safety considerations for female athletes.

This episode shows how school sports have become a mirror for broader questions about gender, safety, and fairness. A forfeited game can become a symbol of competing values in a tight knit community and may affect team morale and local engagement.

The episode also highlights the need for clear, consistent guidelines from athletic associations and school districts. As debates move from classrooms to courts and arenas, policymakers face pressure from parents, lawmakers, and the public to balance inclusion with safety and fairness. Clarity on rules could reduce ad hoc protests and help protect athletes on both sides of the issue.

Highlights

Policy clarity will help sports communities move from conflict to fair competition.