California girls' volleyball players speak out on refusing to play in playoff game against trans athlete

The Valencia High School girls' volleyball defeated Jurupa Valley High School in straight sets in the first round of the California state playoffs on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Provided to Fox News Digital)

A California high school girls' volleyball playoff game on Oct. 22 was the subject of national attention due to the presence of a transgender athlete. Two female players on the opposing team who refused to take the court that night have now come forward to speak about their decision. 

Jurupa Valley High School, which rostered the trans athlete AB Hernandez on its girls' team, lost to Valencia High School in straight sets in front of a crowd of protesters wielding "Save Girls Sports" gear. It marked the end of Jurupa's controversial season, which had been marred by at least 10 forfeits, and Hernandez's high school volleyball career. 

The parents of two female players for Valencia who chose not to play that night provided a joint statement, written by the two girls, to Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity. 

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Fans wearing "Save Girls Sports" shirts pose during a CIF Southern Section Division 5 girls volleyball playoff match against Valencia, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Placentia, California.  (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

"On October 18, our team was informed that we would be playing Jurupa Valley High School in Round 1 of CIF. When scouting the team, we quickly realized that they had a transgender player who we would be competing against on October 22. Ten other teams had previously forfeited against Jurupa, which alarmed our team and led us to consider whether we should play or not," the statement began.

"Due to our beliefs and values, we decided to sit out and