boise state The women's volleyball team withdrew from a game against San Jose State University on Saturday amid controversy over a transgender member of the Spartans' roster.
This is the second team this month to opt out of playing against SJSU.
Boise State Athletics releases statement Out kick only Mountain West Conference games are less than 24 hours away.
Volleyball on court before the Division I Men's Volleyball Championship on May 6, 2023 in Fairfax, Virginia. (Scott Taetsch/NCAA Photo, Getty Images)
The statement did not explain the confiscation.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“The Boise State volleyball team will not play its scheduled game at San Jose State University on Saturday, September 28th,” the statement said. “Per Mountain West Conference policy, the conference will record this game as a forfeit and loss to Boise State. The Broncos will next face Air Force on Oct. 3.”
NCAA Outkick also issued a statement in response to Boise State's decision.
“College sports are the highest stage for women's sports in America, and NCAA members will continue to advance Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women's sports, and ensure that every NCAA championship provides equal access to all student-athletes. We will ensure competition.”
Friday's news follows controversy surrounding SJSU's women's volleyball team after a current player, along with several other female athletes, sued the NCAA for Title IX violations.
Blair Fleming, a redshirt junior at San Jose State University, plays as an outside hitter and right-side hitter on the women's volleyball team. Fleming, a transgender athlete, played two seasons at SJSU after playing at Coastal Carolina.
A volleyball net during the Division III Women's Volleyball Championship held at the US Cellular Center on November 23, 2019 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Jack Dempsey/NCAA Photo, Getty Images)
Sen Blackburn calls on NCAA to allow only 'biologically female students' to participate in women's sports
Earlier this week, Fleming's teammate Brooke Slusser, along with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines and several other female athletes, sued the NCAA over its policies regarding transgender athletes, which undermine the fairness and integrity of women's competitive sports. At the same time, he argued that it was putting women at risk.
“I commend Boise State's athletic department and everyone involved in the decision to cancel the game against undefeated San Jose State,” Gaines said in a statement to FOX News Digital.
“There are principles that go beyond winning on the court, and the safety and health of female athletes is one of them. It's encouraging to see more universities prioritize equity and athlete safety over mandatory participation. I look forward to seeing more universities follow these principles.'' Boise State and Southern Utah are leaders in standing up for what's right and defending the integrity of women's sports. ”
According to the suit, Slusser claimed he did not know Fleming was transgender, even though they shared a room on a team trip. Slusser also expressed concern for the safety of Fleming's opponents.
According to the Cowboy State Daily, Slusser's complaint states, “Brooke estimates that Fleming's spike speed exceeded 80 miles per hour, which is faster than a woman hitting a volleyball. It was faster than I've ever seen her go.” “Although the girls were doing their best to avoid Fleming's spikes, they were still unable to fully protect themselves.”
“One of the important things about this case is the issue of physical safety in volleyball,” Slusser's attorney Bill Bock told Outkick. “And that's what they're facing in their daily practice. So this is just a crazy, misguided policy that takes the dream of athletics away from women and gives it to men, and at the same time it takes away the dreams of women's health. and jeopardizes safety.”
Volleyball during the Division I Men's Volleyball Championship at Walter Pyramid on May 4, 2019 in Long Beach, California. (John W. McDonough/NCAA Photo via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Boise State becomes the second team to opt out of playing against SJSU. Earlier this month, Southern Utah State was in the Santa Clara Tournament, but played only two of three opponents and chose not to play SJSU.
“The Southern Utah University volleyball team has elected to play only two non-conference games in this weekend's Santa Clara Tournament,” the school said in a statement to Outkick at the time.
“The Thunderbirds look to make the most of these games and build on their momentum for a successful season. Southern Utah has communicated this decision to the tournament director and opposing team. I wish you all the best for the rest of the season.”
The Spartans remain undefeated this season at 9-0. In a recent win against Fresno State, Fleming had a team-leading 16 kills. SJSU did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter
