President Donald Trump said there will be a “very strong form of testing” in response to a question about mandatory genetic testing for women’s sports at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Trump’s response came at a Tuesday White House event where he signed an executive order to establish the creation of an LA28 task force.
“I think there is going to be a very strong form of testing,” Trump said. “There will be a very, very strong form of testing, and if the test doesn’t come out appropriately, then they won’t be in the Olympics.”
President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Washington, as Vice President JD Vance and Casey Wasserman, chairman of LA28. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) recently amended its athlete safety policy to suggest compliance with Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order.
“USOPC will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities… to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201,” the policy reads.
Trump said Tuesday that he believes the USOPC would have changed its previous policy that allowed biological males to compete in the women’s competitions even if he hadn’t returned to office and signed the executive order.
“I think they probably would have,” Trump said.
Trump was also asked if he believes the current policy will stay in place after he leaves office.
“There’s a possibility. It could go either way if you really want to know the truth,” Trump said. “I feel strongly about it. I have, I ran a campaign at least partially on that. That was one of the many issues I talked about… that was certainly one of the issues.”
US President Donald Trump holds up an executive order on creating a White House 2028 Olympics task force after signing it in the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 5, 2025. The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Many women’s sports rights activists have aggressively called for the implementation of mandatory sex testing in Olympic and NCAA women’s competition since Trump’s executive order was signed.
The Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), the advocacy group that represents multiple women’s activist athletes, released a statement on July 22 calling for mandatory sex screening for all women’s athletes in USOPC-sanctioned events, after the policy change was publicized.
“The next critical step is for the USOPC to implement sex screening protocols. This will ensure that women are guaranteed equal, fair and safe opportunities in athletic competition. ICONS will not rest until every girl, at every level, in every sport has access to fair competition and privacy in locker rooms,” the statement said.
“The U.S. has a chance to be a leader in standing up for the fair treatment of women around the world.”
Women’s fencer Stephanie Turner, who brought attention to the USOPC policies when she knelt in protest of a trans opponent in footage that went viral in April, also called for the testing.
“Enforcement of this policy is going to be essential,” Turner said. Turner pointed to karyotyping, a test that examines the chromosomes in a sample of cells, as a necessary form of testing.
“You can’t rely on documentation anymore. You can’t rely on drivers license(s), you can’t rely on birth certificates because those can all be edited.”
Former U.S. women’s gymnast Dee Worley also told Fox News Digital that she believes testing should be mandatory in order to protect female competitors.
Worley said that she doesn’t believe any momentum on the issue will be achieved until mandatory sex screenings are implemented.
Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.
Ava Castro, Cardinal Newman, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Ava Castro, OH, Cardinal Newman senior: Led the Crusaders to a 3A regional quarterfinal appearance; recorded 328 kills, 207 digs, 38 blocks, 26 aces and .374 hitting percentage; registered 26 kills in a match; holds the school record for kills; Boston College signee.
Emmie Hill, Benjamin, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Emmie Hill, MB, Benjamin sophomore: Led the Bucs to a 2A regional quarterfinal win; recorded 210 kills, 63 blocks and .351 hitting percentage; registered 20 kills in a match; USA Volleyball National Team Development Program selection.
Mikayla Matuszko, King’s Academy, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Mikayla Matuszko, OH, King’s Academy freshman: Led the Lions to a district title and 3A regional semifinal appearance; recorded 314 kills, 173 digs and 61 aces; registered 22 kills in a match; USA Volleyball U17 National Team selection.
Riley McCaughey, Benjamin, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Riley McCaughey, setter, Benjamin senior: Led the Bucs to a district championship and 2A regional quarterfinal win; recorded 600 assists, 187 digs, 97 kills and 63 aces; registered 55 assists in a match; 3,064 career assists; University of South Florida signee.
Luiza Queiroz, Saint Andrews School, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Luiza Queiroz, OH, St. Andrew’s seventh grader: Led the Scots to a 3A regional semifinal appearance; recorded 420 kills, 187 digs and 69 aces; registered 41 kills in a match.
SECOND TEAM
Dayana Acevedo, setter, Cardinal Newman senior
Lyla Buser, OPP, Cardinal Newman senior
Caitlin Crino, setter, Boca Raton Christian junior
Miranda Knoll, OH, King’s Academy junior
Taylor Walsh, setter, St. Andrew’s sophomore
Caroline Wright, OH, Boca Raton Christian sophomore
HONORABLE MENTION
American Heritage-Delray: Dagan Rothbaun, Daniela Staton
Atlantic Christian: Anayah Enamorado
Benjamin: Mackenzie Bryan, Londyn Clark, Emma Markin
Lake Worth Christian: Cassidy Childers, Savannah Monier, Ella Vandenberg
Oxbridge Academy: Jessica Jerabek, Olivija Kozul
St. Andrew’s: Ashlyn Cobb
St. John Paul II: Meallen Gunther, Emily Rodriguez, Lyla Tomko
Suncoast: Bella Zingaro
COACH OF THE YEAR
Len Visser, Boca Raton Christian, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Len Visser, Boca Raton Christian: The Blazers won a district title, regional championship and captured their first girls volleyball state championship in school history. They won seven straight matches to close the season. “I am proud that every girl was part of winning states. It’s special because the girls persevered through some very close losses. “We played like a team and I had total confidence in them. They all trusted each other. It’s truly one of my closest teams and they lifted each other up.”
Jupiter Christian senior outside hitter Ella Brodner reached 400 kills in a single season for the first time while Boca Raton Christian sophomore Hannah VanZwieten delivered a remarkable performance throughout the playoffs to lift the Blazers to their first girls volleyball state championship in school history.
The two top performers were recognized as the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Beach 4A-1A girls volleyball co-players of the year.
Brodner, a University of Virginia signee, had 400 kills, 5.7 kills per set and a .336 hitting percentage in just 70 sets played. She also added 244 service receptions, 218 digs, 39 aces and 25 blocks. She had 35 kills in four sets in a district semifinal victory.
Brodner holds the school record with 1,488 kills and 944 digs during her five seasons with the Eagles. She recalled a victory against Jupiter during her junior season as one of her most memorable matches in high school.
“I met the expectations I had set for myself since I came in the eighth grade,” Brodner said. “To end with 400 kills in a season was pretty cool. It’s exciting to hold school records. I could not have done it without any of my teammates. Coach Sarah [Mize] helped me with my mental toughness. I wanted to be an all-around player on the court. I made amazing memories and volleyball is so much fun. It was heartwarming to see little girls look up to me and how they were inspired because of how I play volleyball.”
Brodner took on a leadership role with several newcomers joining the Eagles. “When I was in the eighth grade, I was intimidated by most of the girls,” Brodner said.
“Allison Moore was a great leader and a big influence on me. She spent time helping me with volleyball. I wanted to be a big influence on our younger players. It was a rebuilding year and I knew it was going to be difficult, but I decided to stay. It’s a great feeling to help the girls.”
Brodner enjoyed watching her two older sisters at volleyball practices and tournaments. She joined the Jupiter Elite Volleyball Club at 7. She helped her team qualify for nationals in multiple seasons.
“The growth of our club has been amazing,” Brodner said. “All the coaches helped in my development and to where I am now.” Brodner is excited about the opportunity to play with her older sister, Sarah, at the University of Virginia.
“My sister and I have been really getting close and it’s an amazing opportunity,” Brodner said. “I’m extremely blessed to get to play with her. The ACC is very competitive and I’m excited for college volleyball.”
Ella Brodner, from Jupiter Christian High School, volleyball player of the year, photographed on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.(Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
VanZwieten delivered for the Blazers during their playoff run to capture the state title. She had 13 kills and 12 digs in the regional championship, 19 kills, 23 digs and six aces in the state semifinal and 12 kills and 15 digs in the state championship match.
VanZwieten displayed her versatility with 254 kills, 270 digs, 221 service receptions, 157 assists, 53 aces and 30 blocks during her sophomore season.
“We lost players from last year who had played a big role,” VanZwieten said. “The difference was that we played together as a team. Our coaches did a great job and we handled the pressure. We were so happy to push through and win the semifinal against Seacrest. We practiced hard and stayed focused during the final match. We were so excited to win it.”
VanZwieten’s older sister, Grace, plays collegiate volleyball at Tusculum. Her mom serves as an assistant coach at Boca Raton Christian.
She also competes in beach volleyball tournaments with her sister, Mackenzi, who was a key contributor for the Blazers during their championship run. The sisters won a thrilling beach volleyball tournament in Tavares during a college showcase event.
“I have a lot of fun playing with Mackenzi and we connect really well,” VanZwieten said. “We have that experience together in beach volleyball and it’s helped us when playing indoor. It’s been very special.”
VanZwieten, a setter with Tribe Volleyball Club, displayed her versatility at outside hitter for the Blazers during her sophomore season.
“I was able to get out of my comfort zone and work on my game to get better,” VanZwieten said. “I played with a lot of energy and cheered on my teammates.
Hannah Van Zwieten, volleyball player of the year from Boca Raton Christian photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The junior was a first-team All-Region 4D and first-team All-Northwestern District selection. Curtis had 181 kills and an area-best 78 blocks.
Caroline Eye, Central
The junior had an area-best 642 assists, 36 aces and 138 digs. Eye was a first-team All-Region 2B and first-team All-Bull Run District selection.
Lauren Foltz, Warren County
The senior was a first-team All-Northwestern District and a first-team All-Region 3B selection. Foltz had 134 kills and 32 aces.
Cami Golliday, Sherando
The junior had 30 aces and an area-best 337 digs. Golliday was a first-team All-Northwestern District and a second-team All-Region 4D selection.
Cheslea Stine, Strasburg
The junior was a first-team All-Bull Run District selection. Stine had 226 digs and 37 aces.
Hadley Witherow, Central
The senior had an area-best 278 kills, 44 aces and 170 digs. Witherow was a first-team All-Region 2B and a first-team All-Bull Run District selection.
Coach: Chuck Ashby, Sherando
Ashby led the Warriors to a 15-7 record in his first year back at the helm since 2013. Ashby was named the Class 4 Northwestern District Coach of the Year.
Ballenas Whalers senior girls volleyball side shines at B.C. event
Published 1:30 pm Wednesday, December 24, 2025
The Ballenas Whalers senior girls volleyball team capped off an incredible season with a strong showing at the AAA provincial championships in Vernon.
The team finished second in their pool before advancing to the crossover matches, ultimately securing 12th place in the province. Their journey to the provincials saw them rise from the initial qualifiers in Oceanside, through the North Islands, and then the Islands, consistently proving their resilience and determination.
For the second year in a row, Ballenas stands proud as the highest-ranked AAA Vancouver Island team in the province, a testament to their hard work, talent, and team spirit.
One of the highlights of the tournament was their faceoff with eventual tournament champions, Holy Cross. The Whalers took one set off the eventual champions and held their own in a competitive three-out-of-five crossover match, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level.
Much of the team’s success can be attributed to the guidance and dedication of their coaching staff. With Rod Pick, Cassidy Kitchen and Sydney Gerke at the helm, the players were able to maximize their potential both on and off the court.
A special congratulations goes to the graduating seniors – Norah Hughes, Sophia Torgerson, Anna Parree, Cadie Denhaan and Cara McLaughlin – as they head off on to new adventures. Their contributions on and off the court have left a lasting legacy for Ballenas volleyball.
Hats off to all these young athletes for their remarkable season, their sportsmanship, and their continued commitment to excellence. The future looks bright for this talented group of volleyball stars!
