Multiple games have been canceled and forfeited against the San Jose State University (SJSU) Spartans Women’s Volleyball team after opposing teams have heard of a possible transgender player on their team. Boise State University, University of Wyoming, Southern Utah University, and Utah State University all have forfeited their games against SJSU this volleyball season because of senior Blaire Fleming, whose biological sex has not been confirmed. Fleming continues to play for SJSU as a senior while a lawsuit is being filed by her own teammates against the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Mountain West Conference and SJSU.
The SJSU Spartans received first place on Nov. 16, 2024 against Colorado State, and while it is baffling that it wasn’t forfeited like the many before, Fleming brought her A-game, dominating with 24 kills according to Fox News. This occurred just days after teammates and other athletes “…filed a lawsuit that alleged danger and an unfair advantage the biological male poses over other women’s volleyball players.” Additionally, Fleming redshirted her junior year as she transferred in her sophomore year, meaning that she sat out of gameplay but is still eligible to play for all her years at San Jose State. As a senior this year, Fleming is coming back from a years break of playing college level volleyball competitively.
Brooke Slusser, Fleming’s teammate, as well as many others have come forward with a lawsuit against the University and the Mountain West Conference based on the scholarship opportunities given to Fleming when first recruited to the team in 2022.
According to Fox News, “It alleged Slusser’s safety, dignity and rights had been endangered by the presence of a trans athlete, and that athlete was also given a scholarship over biologically female players who were left financially and emotionally impacted.”
Additionally, according to Yahoo! News, Alyssa Sugai, a cisgender female player was denied a scholarship that was instead given to Fleming. She left the team after Fleming took her spot in the starting lineup, falling into a depression as her volleyball career ended. She has joined the lawsuit seeking monetary damages.
Another concern made by SJSU Volleyball player Chandler Manusky occurred in early October when herself, Blaire Fleming, and other athletes had made a plan with Colorado State volleyball player Malaya Jones to spike Slusser in the face during their match on Oct. 3, 2024. Manusky came forward to head coach Todd Kress with this information that was later used in court.
In an interview with Millikan Girls Volleyball JV Coach Faith Jones, she voiced her opinion on this controversy stating, “It wouldn’t matter to me as a coach if we were playing with or against a transgender player. I would expect my team to stand beside their teammate…on the court, we are a family.”
As confusing as it gets, the 2024 season is Fleming’s third year on the team, although she was redshirted as a junior, and no incidents with her gender identity had been confronted before. In fact, this season is the only time a truly surprising event has occurred regarding her gender. Why those schools canceled their matches against the Spartans is unclear, but it had never been an issue prior.
“Allowing a transgender player on your team is not anything bad, and it opens the door for so many other people who have felt like they don’t fit in anywhere else. It allows athletes and people to feel a sense of belonging, and that is what sports are all about,” says Millikan Volleyball Coach Jones.
As of November 26, 2024, and according to the New York Times, a federal judge has allowed Fleming to continue playing on the women’s team.
