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Two more games have been called off on the schedule of a California girls’ high school volleyball team after opponents opted to forfeit, compounding a fraught controversy over the inclusion of a transgender player.

Maribel Munoz, mother of a player on Jurupa Valley High School’s girls’ volleyball squad, confirmed the latest forfeits to Fox News Digital after learning that coach Liana Manu sent a notice to parents regarding additional cancellations. The forfeits involved matches with Rim of the World High School scheduled for August 25, and Orange Vista High School on August 29.

The Jurupa Valley Unified School District (JUSD) issued a statement late Monday on the latest forfeits, which were not its decision. “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 said.

The district also noted that it is legally bound by California law, which prevents schools from discriminating against students based on gender identity. In particular, the California Education Code 221.5 (f) stipulates that schools must allow students to participate on athletic teams “consistent with their gender identity.” The officials also pointed to similar positions by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

“We are proud of our JVHS Jaguars and their willingness to play any team and represent their school and our district with pride,” the district continued, adding that it is working to “expedite the process” for rescheduling games so that the team can compete.

The latest forfeits follow a decision by Riverside Poly High School to pull out of an August 15 match with Jurupa Valley. Fox News Digital confirmed with parents of the players, as well as a local school board member, that their decision hinged on the fact that the team’s roster includes a transgender player, senior AB Hernandez.

Mother of Trans Athlete Weighs in as Controversy Escalates

In a statement shared with Fox News Digital and sent to a variety of outlets, Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, asked parents and others to show some empathy. “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 said.

The mother of three described Hernandez as being small in stature. “I know there’s a perception that trans girls are on the larger end, but this is not the case for my daughter. She is petite, smaller than many other girls her age,” she said. “And while AB is strong, having worked hard to build her body to be the best athlete she can be, AB’s strength is her skill.”

She also disputed perceptions over what a transgender player is looking for on the court. “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,” Hernandez said. “As of now, she is unaware that matches have been canceled because of her involvement with the team.”

In the spring, Hernandez garnered national attention in the state’s track and field circuit. In particular, she won two California state titles in the long jump and triple jump. At the time, female athletes and parents protested, including by wearing “Save Girls’ Sports” shirts, as the transgender junior took part. In the run-up to the state finals, former President Donald Trump also shared a post on Truth Social attacking California’s policy of allowing transgender athletes to participate, though he did not mention Hernandez by name.

In July, the U.S. Department of Justice sued both the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) over the state’s policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports, despite Trump signing an executive order in February mandating that such participation not be allowed.

Volleyball should be the focus for Hernandez this fall, as the senior is in her final year of high school eligibility. Instead, forfeits are coloring the season and animating community debates in California.

Munoz, a parent on the Jurupa Valley team whose daughter has played with Hernandez for the past three years, described the situation as having gone too far. “It makes me feel sad, it makes me feel angry, frustrated, just so many emotions,” she said.

In recent weeks, the issue has flared at local school board meetings. At a recent Riverside Unified School District session, parents on both sides of the divide spoke. On the one hand, a contingent spoke in defense of Riverside Poly athletes, applauding them for their refusal to play. On the other hand, some parents advocated for transgender students’ right to compete.

During the same meeting, Nereyda Hernandez chided Riverside board member Amanda Vickers for having spoken with Fox News Digital on the Riverside Poly forfeit. “You actually entertained and welcomed harassment to my child,” Hernandez said. “You are a board member. You have an oath to protect, to support all children, not just the ones that fit your ideas, your beliefs.”