United States: In a courageous stand for fairness, multiple women’s volleyball teams have refused to compete against San Jose State University (SJSU) due to the presence of “trans”-identified male Blaire Fleming on the team.
Fleming’s participation, marked by record-breaking kill shots and physical dominance, has led teams like Nevada, Utah, Boise State, Wyoming, and Utah State to forfeit games rather than play in what they view as an unfair—and potentially unsafe—environment. These athletes are sending a powerful message: women’s sports deserve a fair and level playing field, free from political agendas, according to reports.
The controversy surrounding Fleming goes beyond the court. In a shocking allegation, SJSU’s associate coach Melissa Batie-Smoose recently filed a Title IX complaint accusing Fleming of conspiring to harm teammate Brooke Slusser, who had openly opposed Fleming’s inclusion on the women’s team.
The complaint claims that Fleming, along with Colorado State player Malaya Jones, plotted to target Slusser during a match by leaving the court open for Jones’s powerful spikes. During the game, Fleming allegedly allowed a hitting lane for Jones to aim at Slusser, even setting up one spike that ended with Jones blowing a kiss toward Fleming.
Batie-Smoose’s complaint also points to a culture of intimidation fostered by SJSU leadership. She claims that Head Coach Todd Kress and Assistant Director of Student Wellness Laura Alexander have dismissed concerns, even telling those who objected to Fleming’s inclusion that they should “seek therapy” or leave the school. Kress has allegedly gone so far as to label any opposition to Fleming’s presence as “morally tantamount to homophobia and anti-black racism,” further stifling open dialogue within the team, as mentioned in certain reports.
The favoritism shown toward Fleming has deepened tensions within the team. According to Batie-Smoose, Fleming has been allowed to break dress codes and scheduling rules that other players must follow. The complaint further alleges that Fleming’s raw physical power, unmatched by any female player in the Mountain West Conference, has created safety risks for opponents and teammates alike. The concern is so profound that, during practice, many of Fleming’s own teammates reportedly turn away, fearing the intensity of her spikes—something “virtually unheard of in women’s volleyball.”
Reportedly, SJSU’s response to these complaints has been minimal. After Batie-Smoose took a stand, the school swiftly suspended her and offered vague assurances of an investigation. However, the complaint highlights the school’s ongoing attempts to suppress dissent, with Batie-Smoose claiming that players have been instructed to remain silent about Fleming’s participation, fearing punishment or even loss of scholarships if they speak out.
These athletes are showing what true courage and integrity look like. In a world where silence is easier, they are fighting for their right to compete in an arena that respects and protects women. Their actions send a clear message: women’s sports are not a political experiment, and they won’t be bullied into submission.