On Friday, the Boise State women’s volleyball team announced they would forfeit the opportunity to play in the Mountain West Conference semifinals against San Jose State.
Although the team did not specify the reason, it is likely due to biological male Blaire Fleming taking the court for San Jose State.
Two players from Boise State have joined a lawsuit against the Mountain West, alleging that allowing Fleming to play at San Jose State violates Title IX and the players’ First and 14th Amendment rights.
The Idaho Statesman reports, “Two Boise State volleyball players have joined a lawsuit against the Mountain West, Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, and four San Jose State officials. The lawsuit pertains to a transgender athlete on San Jose State’s volleyball team and alleges violations of Title IX and the players’ First and 14th Amendment rights.”
This marks the third time Boise State has forfeited against SJS this season.
BREAKING: Boise State women’s volleyball has forfeited their semi-final match vs San Jose State in the Mountain West tournament because SJSU is playing with a male, Blaire Fleming.
They have decided that integrity & fairness in their sport are more important than competing for… pic.twitter.com/4kwEU6FNKl
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) November 28, 2024
The Broncos forfeited twice to the Spartans during the regular season, but after defeating Utah State in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, they had them on the schedule yet again. This time, though, a spot in the conference finals was at stake.
After deliberation, Boise State decided once again that they won’t be taking the court against SJSU, and their season will end because of it.
“The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one,” Boise State Athletics wrote in a statement, per OutKick. “Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday.
“They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes.”
In October, The Gateway Pundit reported that during a match between San Jose State and San Diego State, the 6-foot-1 Fleming rocketed a spike off the face of San Diego State’s Keira Herron. The young woman immediately fell to the floor.
SJSU’s male player, Blaire Fleming blasts another strike to the face of a female opponent in tonight’s match up with @AztecVB pic.twitter.com/hbw9iC6SxH
— ICONS (@icons_women) October 11, 2024
Fleming, a redshirt senior, has been cited as the reason for multiple colleges forfeiting matches against the Spartans this season due to safety concerns.
The Gateway Pundit has also previously reported on the tragic case of a North Carolina high school volleyball player, Payton McNabb, who suffered severe injuries after a trans player smashed her in the face with a spiked ball back in September 2022.
A medical evaluation revealed that the injury caused neurological impairments, including a concussion, vision problems, and partial paralysis to the right side of her body. McNabb, now a student at Western Carolina University, says her paralysis remains, and she still struggles with neurological issues that make her schoolwork far more complex.
