.

A California girls’ high school volleyball team has had two more games scratched from its schedule, after opposing schools forfeited, adding to an already combustible controversy over a transgender player on the team.

Maribel Munoz, a mother of a girl on the Jurupa Valley High School girls’ volleyball team, confirmed the forfeits to Fox News Digital after a Jurupa Valley coach, Liana Manu, alerted parents that more games were on the chopping block. On Aug. 25, Rim of the World High School was set to play Jurupa Valley but forfeited, as did Orange Vista High School on Aug. 29.

Jurupa Valley Unified School District (JUSD) put out a statement on the situation after the second forfeit, saying it regretted the “very difficult decisions” made by the other schools and that it did not support the forfeits, as it’s legally obligated to support the transgender athlete’s right to play.

“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 district said.

The district pointed out in the statement that state law protects students from discrimination based on their gender identity. As part of that law, Education Code 221.5 (f) requires schools to “allow students to participate on athletic teams that are consistent with the students’ gender identity.” The district pointed to California Attorney General Rob Bonta and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond as having taken similar positions.

“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 added. It also said it was trying to reschedule the matches so the athletes can compete.

Jurupa Valley’s recent forfeits follow one in early August by Riverside Poly High School, which canceled a game scheduled for Aug. 15 against Jurupa Valley. Fox News Digital confirmed with Riverside Poly players and parents, as well as a Riverside Unified School District board member, that their decision not to play was because of the team’s transgender player, senior AB Hernandez.

Trans Athlete’s Mom Writes Open Letter in Response to Controversy

Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, responded to the recent forfeits and growing pressure on her family with a written statement that was shared with multiple outlets Wednesday evening. In it, she asks for compassion, understanding, and respect for the family.

“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 wrote.

AB Hernandez is small for a volleyball player. “She is not the biggest or the strongest player on the team,” Hernandez’s mother said. “Her skill sets and her passion for the game set her apart.”

“The fact is, this is a child. And I can assure you she sees your daughters as peers, as teammates, as friends, not through a lens of anything inappropriate,” she added. “AB had no idea it was her and this situation that led to these forfeits.”

AB Hernandez is no stranger to the national spotlight. Last spring, during track and field season, she won two California state titles, taking first place in both the long jump and triple jump. Her performances attracted criticism from other female athletes and their parents, several of whom showed up at the state finals sporting “Save Girls’ Sports” shirts. At the time, former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to blast California ahead of the state finals, telling the Golden State not to allow “some dumb Transguy who thinks he’s a girl” to compete, though he did not specifically mention Hernandez by name.