University makes surprise move after women’s volleyball team refuses to play rival with transgender star

The University of Nevada women’s volleyball team is at odds with its own school after voting to forfeit a game against an opponent with a transgender player.

The college volleyball season has been immersed in the debate surrounding trans athletes in recent weeks because of San Jose State University’s Blaire Fleming.

Fleming, a redshirt senior, has been cited as the reason four schools have forfeited games against San Jose State so far this season because of safety concerns.

Those concerns were raised again last week when Fleming threw a vicious spike in the face of an opponent during their game against the San Diego State Aztecs.

On Monday, players on the Nevada women’s volleyball team announced that they had voted to forfeit the match against San Jose State on October 26.

University of Nevada women’s volleyball team voted to forfeit against San Jose State

Teams are canceling games against San Jose State because of trans player Blaire Fleming

In a statement to OutKick, they said: “We, the University of Nevada Reno women’s volleyball team, lose to San Jose State University.

‘We demand that our right to safety and fair competition on the track be maintained. We refuse to participate in any match that promotes injustice against female athletes.”

They added that they “stand united in solidarity” with the other teams for refusing to play San Jose State: Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming and the Utah State University.

However, the University of Nevada later refused to acknowledge his decision and responded in a statement of its own.

The school said the volleyball team’s decision “does not represent” the views of the school and that it still “intended” to play the game.

Their response read: “The players’ decision and statement were made independently and without consultation with the University or the athletic department. The players’ decision also does not represent the University’s position.

“The University and its athletic programs are governed by the Nevada Constitution and Nevada law, which strictly protect equal rights under the law, and such equal rights shall not be denied or abrogated by this state or any of its subdivisions because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin.

But the University of Nevada has told its volleyball team that it “intended” to play the game

Fleming (circled) smashed the ball into the face of a full-strength female opponent last week

“The University is also governed by federal law, as well as NCAA and Mountain West Conference rules and regulations, which include providing competition in an inclusive and supportive environment.

‘The University intends to go ahead with the match as scheduled, and players may choose not to participate in the match on the day of the competition. No player will be subject to any disciplinary action by the team for their decision not to participate in the game.’

Fleming’s brutal comeback last week took place on the SJSU campus with the San Diego State Aztecs leading the Spartans 22-12 in the second set.

That’s when Fleming was set up by teammate Brooke Slusser before throwing a spike into the face of San Diego State’s Keira Herron.

“Keira Herron’s got a little pink in her hair and her face is starting to look like it matches that because she obviously took the contact,” an announcer said in the video, which has since gone viral.

Fleming (below left) is shown with his San Jose State University teammates

Fleming (pictured), a redshirt senior in his third season at San Jose State, is at the center of a class action lawsuit filed against the NCAA after it was revealed that they are a biological man

Remarkably, Herron kept the play alive, if only for a moment before the point finally got to the Spartans. And what’s more, he even laughed afterwards as he appeared to tell a colleague that he was ‘fine’.

“He must be a bit embarrassed as he tries to laugh off the last ball,” the announcer added.

San Jose State would lose in straight sets (25-21, 25-18, 25-19), falling to 9-2 on the season.

The incident led to more social media backlash against Fleming.

“SJSU men’s player Blaire Fleming throws another punch to the face of a women’s opponent in tonight’s game with (San Diego State),” read a post from the Independent Sports Council of Women (ICONS).

“Come on NCAA, ban the man from women’s volleyball,” read one comment, of which there were hundreds.

“Taking away women’s positions and scholarships is not kind and if they win, it doesn’t make sense because of the benefits,” another commenter wrote. ‘Don’t confuse kindness and fairness’.

Fleming, who is 6-foot-1, ranks third in the Mountain West in kills and second in points

SJSU coach Todd Kress addressed the controversy, revealing that the team has received a significant amount of hate mail.

“Focusing on what we can do on the court has been, frankly, very difficult lately,” he said, as quoted by mynbc15.com.

“There have been outside forces that have tried to divide our team, our university, our conference and our sport. I know it’s been weighing on the players in our locker room who have put in years of hard work.”

When asked about the hate mail, Kress said it’s “something, frankly, disgusting.”

“I’m more concerned about our student-athletes and what they receive and how that affects their mental health,” he continued.

“We have an amazing group of young women who are trying to put aside the controversy. I just have faith that eventually we will be able to put aside the outside noise and be able to play for each other and find love for each other again others

Fleming has been committed by San Jose State to play for the SJSU women’s volleyball team for three seasons, joining in 2022.

The 6-foot-1 Fleming currently ranks third in the Mountain West in kills and second in overall points.