Collegiate women’s volleyball is in crisis over transgenderism. A fifth volleyball team has decided to forfeit a match rather than play against San Jose State University (SJSU), which features Brayden (aka Blaire) Fleming, a male-born player who now claims to be female. Thus far, the list of teams to forfeit rather than play against Fleming includes Southern Utah, Boise State, Utah State, and Wyoming.
Abundantly Clear
Unlike the other forfeits, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) team made quite clear why they wouldn’t be playing SJSU. In a statement to sports website OutKick, the team wrote:
We, the University of Nevada Reno women’s volleyball team, forfeit against San Jose State University and stand united in solidarity with the volleyball teams of Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah 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.
The team’s outspoken stance on the subject was very clear, yet the university wasn’t so supportive of the team speaking out this way. In a statement after the team’s announcement, UNR said the match would go forward as originally scheduled:
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.
The university wanted everyone to know that their volleyball team’s position was not aligned with their own.
A university spokesperson told OutKick:
On Oct. 13, 2024, the majority of members of the University of Nevada, Reno women’s volleyball team sent a statement to the University advising the institution that they were forfeiting its scheduled match with San Jose State University on Oct. 26, 2024. 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.
After their recent match against Utah State, UNR volleyball team captain Sia Liilii put the matter to rest, proclaiming that the the team would not play SJSU.
“I know what our team is going to do, and we are going to have integrity,” Liillii told the Reno Gazette-Journal. “I think this is the toughest thing our team has gone through, but I’m just glad I have so many brave young women behind me, and I get to be the captain of this team.”
Pols Chime In
As with the previous forfeits, politicians joined the conversation. U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown used it as a way to target his Democratic opponent, incumbent Jacky Rosen.
“Jacky Rosen VOTED to allow biological men in GIRLS’ sports, betraying every female athlete. As parents, this issue is personal,” Brown posted on X.
Brown also gave the team praise for their stance, stating in a video posted on X:
They didn’t just win a game though. They are winning on the issue of protecting women’s sports. I’m so proud of them right now. This is a matter of safety, fairness and privacy. These women are leading, not only for themselves, but for future women’s sports.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican, publicly backed the team as well, saying:
The student athletes at the University of Nevada, Reno have determined that they do not want to play against San Jose State, and I wholeheartedly respect the decision of the players.
No student athlete should ever be pressured to play a game where they don’t feel safe — period.
The NCAA has a responsibility to address this issue in a consistent way that protects the integrity of women’s sports and the student athletes who participate.
But thus far, the NCAA appears to be sidestepping, if not outright ignoring the specific issue. Asked by Fox News for a comment, they responded:
College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America and the NCAA members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition for all student-athletes in all NCAA championships.
So, nothing from the NCAA about the team’s complaint that they’re being forced to play against a biological male. As college sports’ governing body, the NCAA’s statement about ensuring “fair competition” rings a little hollow when they won’t even address the issue.
