The Nevada women’s volleyball team released a statement Thursday, committing to play its match against San Jose State on Oct. 26.
This comes after four schools, three of which are in the Mountain West, forfeited their matches against the Spartans in protest over the team having a transgender athlete on the team.
Nevada’s decision came shortly after its in-state counterpart, UNLV, committed to play San Jose State on Oct. 12.
“The University of Nevada volleyball team remains focused on its upcoming matches with UNLV and San Diego State and intends to play its remaining Mountain West schedule, including the match with San José State University on October 26,” Nevada Athletics said. “The University will continue to abide by the NCAA, Mountain West Conference, and USA Volleyball rules and regulations as well as the laws and Constitution of the State of Nevada.”
Southern Utah, Boise State, Wyoming, and Utah State are the four programs that have forfeited their matches with San Jose State. While none of the schools gave a specific reason as to why they would not be playing, lawmakers in those states have made note of the transgender issue and have applauded the schools for making the decision.
Blaire Fleming, San Jose State outside hitter, is the alleged transgender athlete and has been with the program since 2022. Fleming’s teammates reportedly didn’t know she was a transgender athlete until she allegedly told her teammate, Brooke Slusser, San Jose State setter.
Slusser made this conversation public when she joined more than a dozen college female athletes in a lawsuit against the NCAA regarding transgender athletes, Title IX, and player safety. Slusser did not use Fleming’s name, as she only referred to her as a “teammate.”
The NCAA changed its rules regarding transgender athletes in 2022, stating that a transgender woman athlete must complete a full calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment before playing for a women’s team.
The updated NCAA rule states “A trans female (MTF) student-athlete being treated with testosterone suppression medication for gender dysphoria for the purposes of NCAA competition may continue to compete on a men’s team but may not compete on a women’s team without changing it to a mixed team status until completing one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment.”
With the commitment, Nevada will host San Jose State on Saturday, Oct. 26 at noon in the Virginia Street Gym. The Wolf Pack currently have a record of 8-7 and a 1-2 conference record. The Spartans are currently 9-1 with a 3-1 conference record.
Dominic Gutierrez can be reached via email dominicgutierrez@unr.edu or via X @d_m_g_16
