The world of women's college volleyball is in crisis due to transgender issues. The No. 5 volleyball team decided to forfeit the game rather than play San Jose State University (SJSU), whose player Brayden (aka Blair) Fleming, who was originally a man but now claims to be a woman, is playing against San Jose State University (SJSU). It was decided. So far, the list of teams to withdraw without playing Fleming includes Southern Utah, Boise State, Utah State and Wyoming.
richly clear
Unlike the other eliminated teams, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) team made it clear why it will not play against SJSU. In a statement to sports website OutKick, the team wrote:
Our University of Nevada, Reno women's volleyball team lost to San Jose State University and stands united with the volleyball teams from Southern Utah University, Boise State University, University of Wyoming, and Utah State University. We demand that our rights to on-court safety and fair competition be maintained. We refuse to participate in any games that promote injustice against female athletes.
Although the team's candor on this topic was very clear, the university was not very supportive of the team speaking out in this way. UNR said in a statement after the team's announcement that the game will be played as originally scheduled.
The university plans to proceed with the game as scheduled, and there is a possibility that the players may not participate in the game on that day. No player will be subject to team disciplinary action for a decision not to participate in a game.
The university wanted everyone to know that the volleyball team's position was not in line with their team's position.
A university spokesperson told OutKick:
On October 13, 2024, a majority of the members of the University of Nevada, Reno women's volleyball team sent a statement to the university, canceling its game against San Jose State University scheduled for October 26, 2024. recommended. The players' decisions and statements were made independently and without consultation with the university or athletic department. Additionally, the players' decisions do not represent the university's position.
After the recent game against Utah State University, UNR volleyball team captain Shea Lilly put an end to the matter and declared that the team would not play against SJSU.
“I know what the team is going to do and I'm going to keep it honest,” Riehle told the Reno Gazette-Journal. “I think this is the toughest thing our team has ever gone through, but I have so many brave young women behind me and I’m really happy to be the captain of this team.”
Poles chime in
As with previous confiscations, politicians also joined the conversation. U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown used this as a way to target his Democratic opponent, incumbent Jacky Rosen.
“Jackie Rosen betrayed all female athletes by voting to include biological males in girls' sports. As a parent, this issue is personal,” Brown wrote on X.
Brown also praised his team's attitude, saying in a video posted to X:
But they didn't just win the game. They are winning on the issue of protecting women's sports. I'm so proud of them now. This is a safety, fairness, and privacy issue. These women are not only leading the way for themselves, but for the future of women's sports.
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo of Nevada also publicly supported the team, saying:
The student-athletes at the University of Nevada, Reno have decided that they do not want to play against San Jose State University, and I fully respect their decision.
Student-athletes should not be pressured to play in situations where they do not feel safe.
The NCAA has a responsibility to address this issue in a consistent manner that protects the integrity of women's sports and the student-athletes who participate.
But for now, the NCAA appears to be avoiding, if not completely ignoring, certain issues. When asked for comment by FOX News, they responded:
College sports are the premier stage for women's sports in the United States, and NCAA members continue to advance Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women's sports, and ensure fair competition for all student-athletes in every NCAA championship. We will secure it.
So there has been no word from the NCAA regarding teams' complaints about being forced to play against biological males. As the governing body for college sports, the NCAA's statement about ensuring “fair competition” rings a little hollow if it doesn't even address the issue.
