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The San Jose State women's volleyball program has had multiple opponents forfeit matches amid allegations of a transgender woman on SJSU's roster.
As of Oct. 3, four of San Jose State's scheduled opponents have either forfeited or canceled matches. In addition to the cancellations, Brooke Slusser, a co-captain of San Jose State's women's volleyball roster, has joined a lawsuit challenging the NCAA's policy on the participation of transgender athletes. Slusser joined the lawsuit after claiming she heard one of her teammates was a transgender woman.
Here is more on why opponents have forfeited matches with San Jose State and how it has impacted the team's roster and season outlook.
San Jose State women's volleyball forfeits, explained
Six weeks into the 2024 season, four opponents have either canceled or forfeited volleyball matches with the San Jose State women's volleyball team.
After Boise State and Southern Utah forfeited games in September, Utah State and Wyoming are the latest schools to do so.
An official release from the Wyoming athletic department states in part that "After a lengthy discussion, the University of Wyoming will not play its scheduled conference match against San José State University in the UniWyo Sports Complex on Saturday, Oct. 5," but does not provide any further context on the decision.
The statement from Wyoming essentially echoes an earlier statement from Boise State.
Forfeitures from Wyoming and Boise State are especially notable as both are intraconference matchups between Mountain West Conference opponents.
San Jose State shared the following statement in response to Wyoming's forfeiture:
It is disappointing that our SJSU student athletes, who are in full compliance with NCAA and Mountain West rules and regulations, are being denied opportunities to compete. We are committed to supporting our student-athletes through these challenges and in their ability to compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment.
Who is Blaire Fleming?
Fleming is a redshirt senior member of the San Jose State women's volleyball team. She plays both outside hitter and opposite hitter. She is alleged to be the unnamed teammate that led to Slusser joining the NCAA lawsuit.
A native of Aldie, Va., Fleming competed for the girl's team at John Champe High School in Virginia before beginning her college volleyball career at Coastal Carolina in 2020. After one season with the Chanticleers, Fleming transferred to San Jose State and has spent the last three seasons with the Spartans.
Through nine matches in 2024, Fleming is second on the team in total kills.
Fleming has not commented on the lawsuit or the forfeits. San Jose State University has stated all its athletes are eligible under NCAA policy.
Who is Brooke Slusser?
Slusser is a senior member and co-captain of the San Jose State women's volleyball team. She is the Spartans' primary setter.
Slusser is from Denton, Texas, and transferred to San Jose State after playing her first two seasons at Alabama. Last season, Slusser earned Honorable Mention All-Mountain West honors and became the ninth player in Spartans history to record a triple-double (10 or more kills, assists and digs in a game).
Through nine matches, Slusser has played a team-high-tying 32 sets and averages 9.34 assists per set.
Slusser joined a lawsuit challenging the NCAA policy which allows transgender women to compete in varsity athletics. In her lawsuit, Slusser alleges she overheard a teammate say she was transgender in response to a rumor.
Slusser did not name the teammate but added that she and her teammates feared for their safety due to the velocity of the player's spikes.
NCAA transgender policy
Per NCAA policy, a transgender woman student-athlete must complete one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment before competing on a women's team. Here is more from the policy.
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.
San Jose State lawsuit, explained
On Nov. 13, a federal lawsuit was filed against the Mountain West and its commissioner, Gloria Nevarez. The suit seeks emergency injunctive relief to declare a transgender San Jose State player ineligible for the upcoming conference tournament, scheduled to run from Nov. 27-30 in Las Vegas.
The plaintiffs include Slusser, San Jose State assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose and two former Spartans player, as well as players from four other Mountain West teams. San Jose State head coach Todd Kress is included as one of the defendants, as are two SJSU administrators and the trustees board for the California State University system.
The plaintiffs allege that San Jose State violated the U.S. Constitution and Title IX rules permitting a transgender athlete to play women's sports. They also claim that those who spoke out were suppressed and denied their free speech rights.
Mountain West responded to the lawsuit in a statement released Nov. 14.
“The Mountain West Conference prioritizes the best interests of our student-athletes and takes great care to adhere to NCAA and MW policies,” the conference said. “While we are unable to comment on the pending litigation of this particular situation, we take seriously all concerns of student-athlete welfare and fairness.”
San Jose State women's volleyball record
San Jose State women's volleyball team has a 9-0 record in the 2024 season. The program will add more wins with each forfeited match.
The program has bounced back in a major way after going 13-18 during the 2023 season. The Spartans are seeking their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001, when they lost to Stanford in the second round.
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