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By declining to play against San Jose State University in the Mountain West Conference, the Boise State women’s volleyball team forfeited the season.
Blaire Fleming, a 6’1″ male transgender athlete from San Jose State University, was born Brayden. Four other teams have forfeited matches as a consequence of her participation in NCAA women’s volleyball tournaments.
The Boise State women’s team has forfeited against SJSU twice this season, for a total of six forfeits against the team. Despite suffering a technical defeat in late September, Boise State rallied to secure a berth in the annual tournament.
Boise State players said they will not play Fleming and SJSU in the tournament quarterfinal on Friday after defeating Utah State, another team that has declined to play SJSU, on Wednesday.
According to Outkick, Boise athletics noted, “The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one.”
“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,” the institution said.
This implies that SJSU will enter the tournament final on Saturday and will go to the NCAA national tournament if they win (by forfeit or otherwise).
In its own statement, SJSU used Thanksgiving as justification for a celebration of all students.
“We are particularly grateful to individuals who continue to have polite and courteous conversations over this Thanksgiving season.
As our student-athletes compete for our community this holiday weekend, we honor and encourage all of our kids,” the statement said.
Despite being “disappointed” by Boise State, the school went on to say that its athletes are eager to “compete for a championship.”
Brooke Slusser, a player for SJSU, spoke out against the squad for concentrating on Fleming rather than the women on the team.
After speaking out about the experience, Slusser and a suspended assistant coach filed a lawsuit against the league and the school, claiming their First Amendment rights were infringed.
Katelyn Van Kirk and Kiersten Van Kirk, two Boise State athletes, are among the other plaintiffs in the case.
An emergency request by the group’s legal team to exclude Fleming from the tournament and restore victories from the forfeiting institutions was just dismissed by a court.