A former college volleyball player revealed that some of her old teammates at Utah State University experienced “minor injuries” when competing against transgender athletes.
Kaylee Ray, who was part of the Utah State University women’s volleyball team, discussed her experiences facing Blair Fleming, a transgender player from San Jose State University (SJSU), in an interview.
She noted that she played against Fleming for two seasons, specifically in 2022 and 2023.
“Some of my teammates had really bad finger jams, but luckily there were no broken bones. However, a few female players did report minor injuries caused by the male competitors,” Ray explained.
Ray mentioned that her teammates were suspicious of Fleming’s abilities from the outset, even before it was confirmed that Fleming was biologically male.
“When you see this player, even just on video, your first thought is, ‘Who is this?'” Ray said, emphasizing how apparent it was that Fleming possessed “athleticism, explosiveness, and power unlike any other player.”
Her remarks came after she shared her experiences during an Arizona Senate Education Committee hearing.
During the session, Arizona Senator Catherine Miranda (D) commented on Ray’s appearance, saying she looked “very healthy and strong.” This was after Ray expressed her concerns about women losing out on roster spots, scholarships, and opportunities to biological males due to physical advantages.
“It’s all about athleticism. Growing up active in sports, being a tomboy, it shows,” Miranda said. “I’ve faced girls who look like you. You seem very fit and strong.”
“When she started speaking, I was just thinking, ‘Where is this going?'” Ray recounted. “No matter the reason, my appearance and height should influence my competitiveness against men.”
Ray also conveyed that she and her teammates felt unsafe during competitions, noting that those intended to ensure their protection seemed more focused on validating one person’s identity.
