A Volleyball Teen Ava Chavez And Her Parents Are In The Spotlight Amid A Fierce Sports Fairness Controversy

March 28, 2026

This article was last updated by Reshma on March 28, 2026

Ava Chavez, a 13-year-old middle school girl from Nevada, has been making headlines lately, not just because she’s a passionate volleyball player.

She’s become a voice in a heated conversation about fairness in girls’ sports, all thanks to a letter she wrote to lawmakers about her experience playing against a transgender athlete, a biological male.

13-year-old Ava Chavez, inset, and Nevada Assembly Member Elaine Marzola. (Source: )

Ava’s story isn’t just about her; it’s also about her family, particularly her parents, who seem to be standing by her side as she steps into this big, messy spotlight.

Imagine Being 13, Loving Volleyball, And Feeling Uneasy About Something On The Court

. She poured her heart into it, explaining how playing against a boy on a girls’ team made her feel scared and unsafe.

She wrote

For Ava, it wasn’t just about losing a game but about feeling like the playing field wasn’t fair.

She didn’t write this alone in her room and forget about it.

Ava took her words straight to the Nevada state capitol with her mom, Annie Chavez, by her side.

They wanted lawmakers, including Assembly Member Elaine Marzola, to hear her out and consider bills that would keep transgender athletes out of girls’ sports.

It was a bold move for a kid her age, and it’s clear her parents, well, at least her mom, were part of the push to make her voice heard.

Annie Chavez isn’t a name you’ll find splashed across news stories with a big bio attached.

Her job, hobbies, and thoughts on late-night TV are private. What we do know is that she is Ava’s mom and was present when Ava tried to hand over that letter.

Reports mention Annie as part of the effort, suggesting she’s the kind of parent ready to back her daughter up, even when it means stepping into a public debate that’s anything but simple.

But beyond that, Annie’s a bit of a mystery; there are no detailed interviews and no social media spotlight. She’s just a mom supporting her kid, and that’s all we’ve got for now.

As for Ava’s dad, He’s even more of a ghost in this story. There’s no mention of him by name or anything he’s done to help Ava’s cause.

Ava, Annie, And Some Girls, Along With Former University Of Nevada Volleyball Player, Delivered Letters To Assembly Member Elaine Marzola

Ava wasn’t alone in her feelings; 17-year-old Kendall Lewis was there, too, sharing her own experiences.

But when they handed over their letters, something went wrong.

Kendall says she saw a staffer crumple the papers and toss them aside. Sia backs her up, saying she heard the papers rustling and turned to see the same thing.

Ava’s letter isn’t just a one-off complaint; it’s part of a much bigger conversation rocking Nevada and beyond.

Lawmakers are looking at bills like SB112, which would ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports teams.

Ava’s not the only one speaking up, either. , who’s been living with the Chavez family, has been a loud voice in this fight too, ever since she led her college team in a protest against playing a transgender athlete last fall.

It’s a debate that has people picking sides—some say it’s about fairness and safety, while others say it’s about inclusion and rights.

For Ava, it’s personal. She’s a kid who loves volleyball and worries about getting hurt.

For Annie, it’s about supporting her daughter in a moment bigger than a middle school gym.

And for Ava’s dad—well, we don’t know what he thinks, but if he’s out there, he’s part of a family that’s suddenly in the middle of a storm.

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Reshma is a content editor recognized for her ability to create engaging digital content, ensure quality, and deliver stories that connect with audiences.

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