The University of Nevada women’s volleyball team is at odds with their own school after voting to forfeit a game against a rival with a transgender player.
The college volleyball season has been plunged into the debate over 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 matches against San Jose State so far this season because of safety concerns.
Those concerns were raised again last week when Fleming sent a ferocious spike off a female opponent’s face during their game against the San Diego State Aztecs.
On Monday, players on Nevada’s women’s volleyball team announced they had voted to forfeit their game against San Jose State on October 26.
The University of Nevada women’s volleyball team has voted to forfeit against San Jose State
Teams are cancelling 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, forfeit against San Jose State University.
‘We demand that our right to safety and fair competition on the court be upheld. We refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes.’
They added that they ‘stand united in solidarity’ with the other teams to have refused to play against San Jose State – Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah State University.
However, the University of Nevada later refused to acknowledge their decision and hit back in a statement of their own.
The school said the volleyball team’s decision ‘does not represent’ the views of the school and that it still ‘intends’ to play the game.
Their reply 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 position of the University.
‘The University and its athletic programs are governed by the Nevada Constitution and Nevada law, which strictly protect equality of rights under the law, and that equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged by this state or any of its subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin.
But the University of Nevada has told their volleyball team that it ‘intends’ to play the game
Fleming (circled) smashed the ball into a female opponent’s face at full power last week
‘The University is also governed by federal law as well as the rules and regulations of the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference, which include providing competition in an inclusive and supportive environment.
‘The University intends to move forward with the match as scheduled, and the players may choose not to participate in the match on the day of the contest. No players will be subject to any team disciplinary action for their decision not to participate in the match.’
Fleming’s brutal spike last week took place on the SJSU campus with the San Diego State Aztecs leading the Spartans 22-12 in the second set.
It was then that Fleming was set up by teammate Brooke Slusser before rocketing a spike off the face of San Diego State’s Keira Herron.
‘Keira Herron has some pink in her hair and her face is starting to look like she’s matching that as obviously she took the contact,’ one announcer said in the video, which has since gone viral.
Fleming (bottom left) is pictured with her San Jose State University teammates
Fleming (pictured) a redshirt senior in their third season on San Jose State’s roster, is at the center of a class-action lawsuit filed against the NCAA after it was revealed they are a biological male
Remarkably, Herron kept the play alive, albeit only momentarily before the point ultimately went to the Spartans. And what’s more, she was even laughing afterwards while appearing to tell a teammate that she was ‘fine.’
‘Gotta feel a little embarrassed as she tries to laugh off that last ball,’ the announcer added.
San Jose State would go on to lose in straight sets (25-21, 25-18, 25-19), falling to 9-2 on the season.
The incident sparked more social media backlash against Fleming.
‘SJSU’s male player, Blaire Fleming blasts another strike to the face of a female opponent in tonight’s match up with [San Diego State],’ read a post from the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS).
‘Come on NCAA, Ban the Man from women’s volleyball,’ read one comment, of which there were hundreds.
‘Taking the spots and scholarships of women isn’t kind and if they win, it is quite meaningless because of the advantages,’ another commenter wrote. ‘Don’t confuse kindness and fairness.’
Fleming, who stands 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.
‘Concentrating on what we can do on the court has, quite frankly, been very tough lately,’ he said, as quoted by mynbc15.com.
‘There have been outside forces who have sought 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.’
Asked about the hate mail, Kress said ‘some of it, to be honest, is disgusting.’
‘I’m more worried about our student-athletes and what they receive and how that’s impacting their mental health,’ he continued.
‘We have an incredible group of young women who are trying to put the controversy aside. I just have faith that we’ll eventually be able to put the outside noise aside and be able to play for each other and find love for one another again.’
Fleming has been cleared by San Jose State to play for the SJSU women’s volleyball team for three seasons, joining in 2022.
Fleming, who stands 6-foot-1, currently ranks third in the Mountain West in kills and second in overall points.
