In Nevada, female college volleyball players reportedly faced pressure to compete against transgender athletes.
April Chaney, mother of a University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) volleyball player, disclosed that there were claims of significant intimidation aimed at female students ahead of a match against San Jose State University (SJSU), based on “testimonies of those involved” and “official documents.”
Players from the UNR volleyball team recounted their experiences to Marci Smith, a “former NCAA swimmer and co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS),” regarding how the university responded after they expressed hesitation about playing against SJSU’s transgender athletes.
“The women on the UNR volleyball team were threatened if they didn’t follow through with playing at San Jose State,” Smith explained. “Their intimidation tactics included emotional manipulation and potential legal threats.”
As reported, university officials “invited women’s volleyball players to a meeting” where they were told that “the team did not plan to forfeit its upcoming home game against SJSU.”
On October 7, 2024, during a meeting, UNR administrators communicated that the team would not forfeit its game against SJSU. This took place while other schools had already forfeited matches amid the ongoing controversy involving transgender athlete Blair Fleming.
While UNR players privately considered forfeiting, they were told this was not the stance of the school.
It was noted that no Title IX officials were present at the meeting, as per an email from Stephanie Rempe, the school’s athletic director, dated October 12, 2024.
Thea Lehli, a former team captain, described the meeting as “terrible,” mentioning the university’s stance on transgender athletes which asserted that there were “no advantages.”
“It felt like the decision was made for us, and it was uncomfortable,” Lillie shared. “They claimed Blair didn’t have an edge since she was on estrogen and testosterone blockers.”
A statement from the university earlier in January indicated that administrators had contemplated potential scenarios if the team opted out of playing, including possible legal ramifications that could breach the Nevada Constitution.
In October 2024, it was reported that the UNR women’s volleyball team “held a player vote to cancel future games” against SJSU, where Blair Fleming plays, after the university confirmed that the Wolfpack would proceed with the match.
