The college volleyball season was further engulfed in the debate over transgender athletes this week when video surfaced of San Jose State University’s Blaire Fleming fiercely spiked a ball into an opponent’s face.
Fleming, a redshirt senior who is reportedly transgender, has been cited as the reason four schools have lost games against San Jose State this season due to safety concerns.
The incident 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.
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.”
Fleming (in the circle) took a set from teammate Brooke Slusser before finishing the ball.
SDSU’s Keira Herron knocked a nail out of his face, but laughed and said it was “fine.”
SJSU’s Blaire Fleming (pictured) has not publicly come out as transgender
“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.
But it’s not the Spartans’ slide down the Mountain West standings that sparked outrage online. Instead, it was the presence of Fleming, who continues to face criticism online.
“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.”
SJSU coach Todd Kress addressed the controversy after Thursday’s loss, 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 (below left) is pictured with his San Jose State University teammates.
Fleming, who is 6-foot-1, ranks third in the Mountain West in kills and second in points.
ICONS has been central to the controversy surrounding Blaire, who was outed as transgender in a September OutKick.com article. Fleming was cleared by San Jose State to play on the school’s women’s volleyball team for three seasons and will join the team in 2022.
ICONS has notified the Mountain West Conference of athlete safety concerns regarding Fleming, who was named in a federal lawsuit filed by the organization. Slusser, the SJSU player who prepared Fleming for the aforementioned peak, has since joined that lawsuit.
The motion goes on to state that Slusser expressed concerns about safety to school officials. Additionally, Slusser claims the school told him to refrain from talking about the gender identity of his teammates.
Until now, San Jose State has refused to address the gender identity of any of its players.
“We are operating our program under the regulations of both the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference,” read a statement provided to DailyMail.com last month. ‘Our student-athletes are in full compliance with NCAA rules and regulations.
“We will not address any student’s gender identity as it is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).”
Fleming, who stands 6-foot-1, currently ranks third in the Mountain West in kills and second in overall points.