An athlete from the women’s volleyball team at San Diego State found themselves on the receiving end of a powerful strike during a game against San Jose State University. This event occurred on Thursday evening and involved Blaire Fleming, a redshirt senior. Fleming, a key player in recent discussions concerning transgender athletes, has ignited debates as some educational institutions have chosen to forfeit games rather than compete against the San Jose State team. The situation unfolded while the Aztecs had taken a commanding lead of 22-12 in the second set.
Fleming, wearing the number 3 jersey, had previously played at Coastal Carolina before joining the ranks at SJSU. Across three seasons, Fleming has become a recognized figure on the court. However, it was during this match against SDSU that an incident involving Fleming became a topic of conversation. A video circulating on social media captured the moment when a well-struck ball from Fleming landed squarely on the face of SDSU junior Keira Herron.
The impact of the ball was so strong that it knocked Herron onto the court floor. There was a resonating gasp among the spectators as they visibly reacted to the incident. In spite of this, Herron managed to swiftly recover and readjust her footing for the continuation of the game. The match concluded with San Jose State’s defeat in consecutive sets, which shifted their running record to 9-2.
The recent event adds to an increasingly dense cloud of debate surrounding San Jose State’s volleyball program. Four educational institutions, including Boise State, Southern Utah, Wyoming and Utah State, have chosen to step away from scheduled matches against San Jose State during the current season. This principle-driven decision became a topic of contention and discussion.
At the heart of these forfeitures lies the complaint from Brooke Slusser, a colleague of Fleming’s on the team. Slusser, Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer, and several other female athletes, made legal moves against the NCAA less than a month ago. The collective lawsuit implicated NCAA policies about transgender athletes. The group claimed these policies disrupt the balanced competitive environment in women’s sports and place female competitors in potentially risky situations.
According to the formal complaint, Slusser admitted to having had no prior knowledge of Fleming’s transgender identity despite having shared lodging during away games. Additionally, she vocalized the potential danger that opponents face when going up against a powerful player like Fleming. The issue lay not just within the fairness of competition but also the safety it ensured.
One of the claims put forward in the lawsuit stated that Fleming was striking volleyballs at unprecedented speeds, estimated to soar around 80 miles per hour. Slusser argued that these powerful strikes were more potent than any female player she had ever witnessed, making it a challenge for competitors to protect themselves.
In fact, their efforts to avoid the intense spikes continuously fell short. They were left in situations of potential harm despite their best efforts to evade the ferocity of Fleming’s strikes. This raised concerns about foreseeable dangers if the current situation were to be maintained.
In response to the narrative, a representative from San Jose State University expressed their perspective on Thursday. As of now, no future competitors have communicated their intention to withdraw from upcoming fixtures. Therefore, the team remains set to round out its regular season, having 13 games left on the lineup.
Additional engagements on the season’s agenda include a second confrontation with San Diego State. Furthermore, three of the teams that opted to abstain from their first slated match against the Spartans are yet to complete the second leg. Amid these uncertainties, the volleyball team is bracing for a season filled with on-court trials and off-court controversies.
As the team prepares for what’s to come, it is apparent that the debate surrounding inclusive policies in competitive sports has expanded beyond individual teams and institutions. The incident at San Diego State has further stoked the debate, and the discussion extends not only to the four institutions that made a stand by forfeiting matches.
While some may view the situation as a question of fairness in athletic competition, others see it as an issue of balancing inclusivity with the physical safety of all athletes. These conversations are crucial for creating an environment that respects all players while also maintaining the competitive nature of the sport.
Looking ahead, the main focus remains on the evolving dynamic within the world of competitive sports, particularly how it approaches and includes transgender athletes. For now, the outcomes for competing teams going up against Fleming and her SJSU team are yet to be finalized. However, it is clear that the actions of these educational institutions reflect a broader sentiment found within the sporting world.
Questions regarding the physical equality in sports are nothing new, but the inclusion of transgender athletes opens a new chapter. It’s a topic requiring thoughtful discussion and an active effort to find constructive, fair solutions. The unfolding controversy at San Jose State University is just one of the manifestations of this global, ongoing debate.
The incident casts a spotlight on the question of whether the current policies overseeing collegiate sports, particularly on the inclusion of transgender athletes, are comprehensive and considerate enough. An answer will require a thoughtful dialogue that extensively weighs the principles of inclusion, competitive fairness, and safety.
How is this allowed?? When do we say enough??!! @NCAA
Watch the massive blow by Blaire Fleming, a male player, to the face of a woman on San Diego State’s team. Announcer even expresses his disbelief as her face turns pink from the impact. @icons_women @Riley_Gaines_… pic.twitter.com/DeoChrjIOn
— Beth Bourne (@bourne_beth2345) October 11, 2024