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In a significant development in collegiate sports, Boise State’s women’s volleyball team concluded their season by forfeiting their match against San Jose State University in the Mountain West Conference tournament.
The controversy centers around SJSU’s transgender athlete Blaire Fleming, previously known as Brayden, a 6’1″ player whose presence has prompted four other teams to forfeit matches throughout the season.
Boise State women’s volleyball should be here in Vegas@MountainWest has failed female athletes
It was left to the brave women of @BroncoSportsVB to make a stand to save women’s sports by forfeiting the semifinal match vs. SJSU@BoiseState Women’s VB players are true leaders! pic.twitter.com/LV6dNNiI8j
— WomenAreReal (@WomenAreReals) November 29, 2024
This marks Boise State’s second forfeit against SJSU this season, bringing the total forfeits against SJSU to six. Despite taking a technical loss earlier in September, Boise State had managed to secure a tournament spot.
Following their victory over Utah State, another team that had previously refused to compete against SJSU, Boise State’s players declined to participate in Friday’s tournament semifinal against Fleming and SJSU.
“The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one,” Boise athletics stated. “Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday.”
The athletics department further noted, “They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes.”
This decision automatically advances SJSU to Saturday’s tournament final, with potential NCAA national tournament qualification hanging in the balance.
SJSU responded with a statement emphasizing inclusivity: “In this time of Thanksgiving, we are especially thankful for those who continue to engage in civil and respectful discourse. We celebrate and support all of our students, including our student-athletes as they compete for our community on this holiday weekend.”
The situation has sparked internal discord at SJSU, with team member Brooke Slusser joining a lawsuit alongside a suspended assistant coach, claiming First Amendment violations. The legal action also includes Boise State players Katelyn Van Kirk and Kiersten Van Kirk.
A recent judicial ruling denied an emergency motion seeking Fleming’s removal from the tournament and reinstatement of forfeited wins.
THEY DID IT AGAIN!!!! The women volleyball players from Boise State refused to play! After beating Utah in the quarterfinal round they refuse to play SJSU in the semi finals. They’d rather their season end before they’d play a charade that harms women’s sport!!
Woohoo!!! pic.twitter.com/fXHlqqOxXI
— Jennifer 🟥🔴🧙♀️🦉🐈⬛ 🦖 (@babybeginner) November 28, 2024
Addressing the forfeit, the Mountain West Conference stated that “decisions to forfeit matches are at the institutions’ discretion and are considered a loss. San José State will advance to the MW Women’s Volleyball Championship final.”
Idaho Senator Jim Risch expressed support for the Boise State team, stating, “These women have worked too hard for too long to be denied their right to fair, safe competition. We must fight to protect women’s sports.”
