Boise State women's volleyball foregoes upcoming game against SJSU due to trans player controversy

Boise State The women's volleyball team forfeited its game against San Jose State University on Saturday due to a controversy surrounding a transgender member of the Spartans' roster.

It is the second team this month to withdraw from the game against SJSU.

Boise State Athletics released an exclusive statement to OutKick less than 24 hours before the Mountain West Conference game.

A volleyball on a court before the Division I men's volleyball championship on May 6, 2023 in Fairfax, Virginia. (Scott Taetsch/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

The statement did not provide an explanation for the decline.

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“Boise State volleyball will not play its scheduled game at San Jose State on Saturday, September 28,” the statement said. “Per Mountain West Conference policy, the conference will record the game as a forfeit and a loss for Boise State. The Broncos will next face Air Force on October 3.”

The NCAA OutKick also sent a statement in response to Boise State's decision.

“College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America, and NCAA members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports, and ensure fair competition for all student-athletes at all NCAA championships.”

Friday's news follows controversy surrounding the SJSU women's volleyball team after a current player, along with several other female athletes, sued the NCAA for Title IX violations.

Blaire Fleming, a redshirt senior at San Jose State University, plays outside hitter and right tackle on the women's volleyball team. Fleming, a transgender athlete, played three seasons at SJSU after previously playing at Coastal Carolina.

A volleyball net during the Division III women's volleyball championship at the US Cellular Center on November 23, 2019 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Jack Dempsey/NCAA photos via Getty Images)

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Earlier this week, Fleming's teammate Brooke Slusser, along with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines and several other female athletes, sued the NCAA over its policies toward transgender athletes, which they say threaten the fairness and integrity of female competitive sports while putting women at risk.

“I commend the Boise State athletic department and everyone involved in the decision to forfeit their game against undefeated San Jose State,” Gaines said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Some principles go beyond winning on the field, and the safety and well-being of female athletes is one of them. It is encouraging to see more institutions prioritizing fairness and athlete safety over forced inclusion. I hope more universities follow suit.” Boise State and Southern Utah leader who stands up for what is right and protects the integrity of women’s sports.”

According to the complaint, Slusser claimed she did not know Fleming was transgender, even though she shared a room together on team trips. Slusser also expressed safety concerns about opponents playing against Fleming.

“Brooke estimated that Fleming's spines were moving at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour, which was faster than she had ever seen a woman hit a volleyball,” Slusser's complaint said, via the Cowboy State Daily. “The girls did everything they could to avoid Fleming's spikes, but still couldn't fully protect themselves.”

“One thing that is really important in this case is the physical safety issues in volleyball,” Slusser’s attorney Bill Bock told OutKick. “And they are confronted with that every day in practice. So it’s just a crazy, misguided policy that steals athletic dreams from women and gives them to men, while endangering women’s health and safety.”

Volleyballs at the Division I Men's Volleyball Championship at the Walter Pyramid on May 4, 2019 in Long Beach, California. (Photos by John W. McDonough/NCAA via Getty Images)

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Boise State becomes the second team to withdraw from the game against SJSU. Earlier this month, Southern Utah entered the Santa Clara tournament, but only played two of three opponents and opted not to play SJSU.

“The Southern Utah University volleyball team has decided to participate in only two non-conference games at the Santa Clara Tournament this weekend,” the school said in a statement to OutKick at the time.

“The Thunderbirds are committed to making the most of these games and continuing to build momentum for a successful season. Southern Utah has informed tournament directors and opposing teams of this decision and we wish them all the best for the remainder of their respective seasons.”

The Spartans remain undefeated this season with a record of 9-0. In their last win over Fresno State, Fleming led the team with 16 kills.

A university spokesperson said in a statement: “San Jose State volleyball will not play its scheduled home game against Boise State on Saturday, September 28th. In accordance with Mountain West Conference policy, the conference will record the game as forfeit.”

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