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Two more games have been scratched from the schedule of a California girls’ high school volleyball team as more opposing teams have forfeited in what has become a highly politicized controversy over the presence of a transgender athlete on the roster.

The news was confirmed to Fox News Digital by Maribel Munoz, a mother of one of the Jurupa Valley High School girls’ volleyball players, who received the announcement from the team’s coach, Liana Manu. Manu emailed parents to let them know the two latest matches have been called off due to forfeits by Rim of the World High School, originally scheduled for August 25, and Orange Vista High School, which was scheduled to play the Jaguars on August 29.

Jurupa Valley Unified School District (JUSD) also put out a statement on the situation, clarifying that it did not decide to forfeit. “We understand and acknowledge the disappointment of our Jurupa Valley High School athletes who are ready and prepared to play,” the district said. “Decisions to cancel matches were made by teams in other districts.”

The district went on to say that it is following the lead of state law that bars student discrimination based on gender identity. “Education Code 221.5 (f) requires schools to allow students to participate on athletic teams that are consistent with their gender identity,” the statement read. “This guidance is also supported by our California Attorney General Rob Bonta and our California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.”

The district added, “We are proud of our JVHS Jaguars and their willingness to play any team and represent their school and our district with pride.” JUSD went on to say that it is working to reschedule games to ensure athletes have a full season.

The district’s announcement comes after Riverside Poly High School forfeited its August 15 match against Jurupa Valley. Parents of the Riverside Poly athletes and a Riverside school board member separately confirmed to Fox News Digital that the decision was made because of the team’s transgender athlete, senior AB Hernandez.

Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, made her own statement to the press on Thursday evening, pleading for understanding from those who oppose her daughter playing on the team. “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.

In her statement, Nereyda Hernandez described her daughter as petite and noted that her distinguishing characteristic is not her body type but rather her talent and skill at volleyball. “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,” she said.

The teen is no stranger to headlines over the past few months. Hernandez, who was the California state champion in the spring track and field long jump and triple jump events, found her victories protested by other female athletes and their families. The athletes who were protesting – some of whom sported “Save Girls’ Sports” shirts at one CIF press conference – were aghast at the results in the girls’ competitions.

Former President Donald Trump also waded into the issue, with a Truth Social post ahead of the state finals. “To all of the GREAT LADIES in California competing in the state track and field championships, I urge our California leaders NOT to allow a transgender athlete to compete as a girl,” Trump wrote. “Do not let it happen. Stand up for Women. SICS for TRUTH.”

The U.S. Department of Justice in July sued the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for policies allowing transgender students to play on girls’ teams. The move came despite an executive order Trump signed in February, which sought to ban the practice.

The implications for Hernandez, whose playing career is in its final stage with volleyball being a fall sport in California, are that she is no longer focused on simply playing the games. Instead, with more forfeits looming and community resentment bubbling, the season is playing out like a tragicomic non-stop feud.

Munoz, whose daughter has played with Hernandez for three years on the Jurupa Valley team, put it plainly. “It makes me feel sad, it makes me feel angry, frustrated, just so many emotions,” she said. Munoz was just one of many parents who have spoken out on the matter recently at a Riverside Unified School District school board meeting.