The University of Nevada women’s volleyball team is at odds with its own school after voting to forfeit a game against a rival with a transgender player.
The college volleyball season has been immersed in the debate over trans athletes in recent weeks due to San Jose State University’s Blaire Fleming.
Fleming, a redshirt senior, has been cited as the reason four schools have lost games against San Jose State so far this season due to safety concerns.
Those concerns resurfaced last week when Fleming launched a vicious spike into the face of a female 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 their match against San Jose State on October 26.
The University of Nevada women’s volleyball team voted to lose to San Jose State.
Teams are canceling games against San Jose State because of trans player Blaire Fleming
Speaking to OutKickThey 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 field be respected. “We refuse to participate in any party that promotes injustice against female athletes.”
They added that they “stand united in solidarity” with the other teams that refused to play 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 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 “intends” to play the game.
Their response read: “The players’ decision and statement were made independently and without consultation with the University or the athletics department.” The players’ decision does not represent the University’s position either.
‘The University and its athletic programs are governed by the Nevada Constitution and Nevada law, which strictly protect equal rights under the law, and this state nor any of its subdivisions shall deny or abridge such equal rights on the basis 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 “intends” to play the game.
Fleming (circled) slammed the ball into a female opponent’s face with 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 go ahead with the match as scheduled, and players may choose not to participate in the match on the day of the contest. No player will be subject to any team disciplinary action for his or her decision not to participate in the game.’
Fleming’s brutal surge 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 firing a shot into 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 it matches that since she obviously made the contact,” an announcer said in the video, which has since gone viral.
Fleming (below left) is pictured with his San Jose State University teammates.
Fleming (pictured), a redshirt senior in his 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 that he is a biological male.
Surprisingly, Herron kept the play alive, though only momentarily before the point finally went to the Spartans. What’s more, he even laughed afterwards as he appeared to tell a teammate he was “fine.”
“I have to feel a little embarrassed while he’s trying to laugh at that last dance,” 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 sparked further reactions on social media against Fleming.
“SJSU men’s player Blaire Fleming lands another punch to the face of a female opponent in tonight’s game against (San Diego State),” reads a post from the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS).
“Come on NCAA, ban men from women’s volleyball,” read one comment, of which there were hundreds.
“Accepting women’s positions and scholarships is not kind and if they win, it makes no sense because of the advantages,” another commenter wrote. “Do not confuse goodness and justice.”
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.
“Frankly, lately it’s been very difficult to focus on what we can do on the court,” he said, 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 worked hard for years.’
When asked about the hate mail, Kress said that “some of it, to be honest, is 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 incredible group of young women who are trying to put the controversy aside. I just have faith that eventually we will be able to put the outside noise aside and we will be able to play for each other and find love for each other again.’
Fleming was cleared by San Jose State to play on the SJSU women’s volleyball team for three seasons and will join in 2022.
Fleming, who stands 6-foot-1, currently ranks third in the Mountain West in kills and second in overall points.
