Kaylee Ray Shares Experience from San Jose State Volleyball Scandal

Former standout athlete from Utah State, Kaylee Ray, spoke at a legislative hearing to share her experiences as a victim of the San Jose State volleyball controversy. However, her testimony took an unexpected turn when she received comments regarding her appearance.

During the Senate education hearing, Arizona Democratic state Senator Katherine Miranda remarked to Ray, “You look so healthy… You look so healthy and strong.” This caught Ray off guard. “When she started saying those words, all I could think was, ‘Where is she going with this?'” she recounted. She expressed surprise that her physical appearance was brought into the discussion, emphasizing that factors like her looks shouldn’t influence her competitiveness against male players.

Ray mentioned that she would accept an apology from Miranda, but her office has not responded to requests for comment.

Ray, at the state Capitol, recounted the personal trauma she faced during her playing career, particularly regarding her matchups with former San Jose State transgender athlete Blair Fleming. Utah State University confirmed that Ray knew Fleming was male while competing against him in 2022 and 2023. She also shared that a teammate suffered an injury after handling Fleming’s custom cleats. “I had teammates who had serious finger jams, but luckily no broken bones. There were minor injuries from female players too,” Ray noted, adding that Fleming’s plays caused more injuries than those from female athletes.

Upon seeing footage of Fleming before their first match on October 1, 2022, her teammates expressed skepticism. “There was an instant ‘wow’ reaction. It was obvious this athlete had unmatched power and athleticism,” Ray said.

Utah State lost that initial match against Fleming’s team, and Ray noted that many on her team recognized Fleming’s male identity. Despite acknowledging this, she stressed that it was crucial not to make assumptions. With Fleming on the opposing team, Utah State had to devise a new strategy, which hadn’t been necessary before his arrival. “Blair attacked from a very high point… Our goal was to reach as far over the net as possible,” Ray explained, noting a feeling of helplessness in trying to counter Fleming’s prowess.

In a rematch in November, Utah State triumphed, winning 3 sets to 2, and later faced SJSU again in the conference finals, securing a victory that led to consecutive Mountain West titles. Nevertheless, Ray admitted they were often at the mercy of Fleming’s performance. “If he had an outstanding game, there was little we could do,” she stated. Yet, she was realistic about their ability to win if circumstances allowed.

The following season, Utah State won both matches in straight sets, though Fleming played infrequently due to injuries. In a critical game, Ray’s team emerged victorious against SJSU, contributing to their third consecutive conference title.

That year, with the scandal gaining national attention, Ray was leading the team, aspiring for a fourth title. “I wanted it so bad,” she reflected. But when the truth about Fleming’s gender at birth surfaced, Ray felt ill. “It made me nauseous,” she admitted.

The team shifted their focus from competition. They conducted an anonymous survey among players to express their feelings about competing against San Jose, which ultimately led to a decision to forfeit games. This decision was fraught with increased scrutiny for both groups throughout the season.

Ray expressed frustration over this situation, stating, “It was really disappointing to have that loss on our record. We were very distracted during the season.” Later, she participated in a lawsuit concerning the Mountain West against former SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser, pushing for a reversal of the forfeited games — but the courts did not agree.

Ray’s team finished second behind SJSU in standings due to the forfeits. Before an important tournament game, the uncertainty surrounding another potential forfeit against SJSU loomed over the team. “If we win, do we have to forfeit again?” Ray recounted the anxiety this created.

Ultimately, Utah State was eliminated in the first round by Boise State and later faced SJSU again in the semifinals.

Reflecting on the season’s disappointing outcomes, Ray expressed, “I genuinely believe we would have won under normal circumstances. But everything was anything but normal.” She emphasized the emotional toll the season took, filled with challenges that made it hard to keep goals in sight.

Ray has moved on from college volleyball, having played a season at Weber State and graduating with a graduate degree. Today, she dedicates much of her energy to advocating for women’s sports, a mission she pursued during her recent testimony at a legislative hearing.

In January, she spoke alongside Slusser outside the U.S. Supreme Court, standing against the presence of men in women’s sports. That day, she witnessed a pro-trans rally, which left a lasting impression on her. “It was striking to see the symbolism of their message,” she recalled, observing a blend of contrasting messages present at the rally.

As the battle over these issues continues, SJSU remains in the spotlight. Recently, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights found SJSU in violation of Title IX in connection with Fleming. In response, SJSU and the California State University systems are challenging the findings legally.

Ray expressed her disdain for SJSU’s lawsuit, calling it “disgusting” and “weird.”

In response to the findings, the Secretary of Education has given SJSU ten days to reach a resolution or face funding repercussions.

“President Trump, you know what to do,” Ray concluded, emphasizing her commitment to the ongoing struggle surrounding this topic.