Transgender Volleyball Star AB Hernandez Faces Spotlight and Stands Strong: “I’m Just a Normal Kid”

In Southern California, a high school senior named AB Hernandez has become a prominent figure in the ongoing debate over transgender participation in youth sports. Hernandez, a transgender athlete representing Jurupa Valley High School, has garnered both criticism and support as she competes on her school’s girls’ volleyball and track and field teams. Her journey has unfolded amid national headlines, legal challenges, and personal reflections, revealing both the challenges and resilience faced by transgender youth in sports today .

Hernandez’s volleyball season began with widespread controversy when three high school teams, including Orange Vista High, forfeited scheduled matches rather than compete against Jurupa Valley, citing Hernandez’s participation as the reason according to multiple media reports . The forfeits were a direct response to Hernandez’s status as a transgender athlete, a situation that has sparked intense public discussion about fairness, inclusion, and the rights of transgender youth.

Despite the scrutiny, Hernandez has remained steadfast and vocal about her experience. “They swear I’m like this crazy danger to society,” Hernandez said in a recent interview. “I’m just a normal kid going to school, playing sports.”

Hernandez’s rise to public attention began in the spring, when she won first-place medals in the high jump and triple jump and placed second in the long jump at the California state track and field championships. Her athletic achievements were met with protests, including demonstrators carrying “Save Girls’ Sports” signs and an airplane banner reading “No Boys in Girls’ Sports” flying over the event .

The public scrutiny intensified when Hernandez was outed as transgender by a former teacher, Jessica Tapia, who revealed her identity on social media. Until then, Hernandez had competed largely anonymously, focusing on her love for sports and her team .

Hernandez’s participation has not only sparked local controversy but has also become a focal point in national legal and political battles in teh wake of a lawsuit against the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and the California Department of Education (CDE) filed by the Trump administration challenging their gender participation policies. Those polices allow transgender students to compete in girls’ sports. The CIF responded by amending its rules to allow female athletes who placed behind Hernandez to share the podium, but continued to permit her participation in girls’ events .

The legal battle continues, with the Department of Justice joining the lawsuit against the state’s policies. As the case unfolds, it highlights the complexities and tensions around sports participation, fairness, and the rights of transgender students .

Amid these challenges, Hernandez has found support from her family and some members of the local community. Her mother, Nereyda, spoke candidly about the difficulties and dangers her daughter faces but expressed admiration for Hernandez’s courage. “I did talk to her about how dangerous it is and how difficult it was going to be but she’s brave,” Nereyda said. “When I saw her courage, I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to stand behind you’” .

During matches, Hernandez has received vocal support from some fans. At the game against Chaffey High School, where Jurupa Valley won in four sets, Hernandez was greeted with the loudest cheers of the night. Supporters, including one fan wearing a T-shirt with pro-transgender messaging, underscored the solidarity felt by many in the queer community .

Despite being at the center of heated debate, Hernandez has repeatedly emphasized her identity and normalcy. “I think people just see one thing and they’re like ‘Oh, that’s what you are,’” Hernandez said. “They don’t take the time to get to know me. So, it’s just a little frustrating” .

Hernandez also lamented the impact of forfeits on her team, highlighting the importance of teamwork: “A team sport, I can’t take that. It’s a team effort. My team needs to be willing to fight with me and that’s what it takes to win a team title.”