Kaylee Ray, a former star athlete from Utah State, recently shared her experience as a victim connected to the controversies surrounding the San Jose State volleyball team. During a Senate education hearing, she spoke about the trauma stemming from her time as a college player, particularly in light of the inclusion of transgender athletes in competitions. In an unexpected twist, Arizona Democratic state Senator Catherine Miranda commented on Ray’s appearance, saying, “You look very healthy…you look very healthy and strong.” This remark caught Ray off guard as she was trying to highlight serious issues related to her experience.
Ray expressed that she would welcome an apology from Miranda, although there has been no response from the senator’s office to her requests. During her visit to the state Capitol, she recounted the personal difficulties she faced in her volleyball career and the injuries sustained by teammates after encountering former San Jose State player Blair Fleming, whom they later learned was transgender.
Recalling incidents from 2022 and 2023, Ray noted that Fleming caused several injuries among her teammates due to the physical disparity in their playing styles. Their team had doubts about Fleming from the outset, and Ray described their initial reaction upon viewing footage of Fleming: “There’s an instant ‘wow’ reaction.” They eventually lost to Fleming’s team in their first match against San Jose State.
Ray pointed out that many teammates openly speculated about Fleming’s gender, leading to a shift in their game strategy. “We had to come up with a new plan that we had never had to use,” Ray explained, emphasizing the adjustments they had to make to compete effectively.
In a rematch later that year, Utah State managed to come out ahead, but Ray acknowledged that on any given day, the unpredictability of an opponent like Fleming posed a challenge. Despite winning some matches the following season, their team struggled with the emotional toll the incidents had taken.
In January, when the scandal surrounding Fleming broke, Ray’s team was deeply affected. They contemplated forfeiting games due to the fallout, which led to greater scrutiny of the program. Ray described the disappointment and anxiety surrounding the forfeits, stating that it distracted the team and impacted their performance throughout the season.
Later in the season, Ray was involved in litigation against the Mountain West, aiming to reverse the forfeiture decisions, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Ultimately, their standing was affected as they finished second to San Jose State, raising concerns about facing them again in championship scenarios.
Reflecting on the tumultuous season, Ray noted, “It was very difficult to keep that goal in sight,” as emotions and external factors clouded their objectives. Though she continued to play volleyball for one more season at Weber State and earned a graduate degree, her focus has shifted toward advocating for women’s sports.
In a recent appearance outside the U.S. Supreme Court, Ray voiced her concerns about men competing in women’s sports alongside former SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser. She observed a vibrant counter-protest rally nearby, which deepened her conviction about the challenges at hand. “It was clear a battle between good and evil,” she remarked.
Currently, the San Jose State situation remains a point of contention, especially following a recent finding by the U.S. Department of Education that indicated Title IX violations concerning Fleming’s inclusion. In response, San Jose State is now pursuing legal action against the federal ruling. Ray described this as disheartening, expressing her disapproval of the university’s reaction.
The Secretary of Education has urged institutions to resolve the matter quickly or face possible funding cuts. As Ray continues her advocacy, she remains committed to the fight for women’s sports. The ongoing dialogue surrounding these issues emphasizes the complexities and personal narratives involved in the intersection of gender and athletics.
