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Several collegiate volleyball teams refuse to face rival with male player

Utah State University remarked that they would “not participate” in the scheduled match and that they would abide by the Mountain West Conference policy of recording a forfeit and a loss.

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The two most recent announcements came after Southern Utah University and Boise State University made similar decisions to cancel the matches and register forfeit losses. File Image.

At least four collegiate women’s volleyball teams have now forfeited their scheduled matches against San Jose State University since the team has a man who claims to be a woman.

 

Blaire Fleming, who has played on the female volleyball team at the school for three seasons, towers at six feet and one inch, while school administrators allegedly at first hid the fact that he is a man from other teammates. Utah State University became the most recent school to cancel a match against San Jose State University scheduled for later this month.

 

 

Utah State University remarked that they would “not participate” in the scheduled match and that they would abide by the Mountain West Conference policy of recording a forfeit and a loss.

 

Utah Republican Governor Spencer Cox said on social media that he stands “with the students, coaches, and leadership” in their decision. “It is essential that we preserve a space for women to compete fairly and safely,” he noted. “Our female athletes are left grappling with this difficult issue because the NCAA has failed in its responsibility to protect female athletes and women’s sports. It’s time for the NCAA to take this seriously and protect our female student athletes.”

 

 

That decision came shortly after the University of Wyoming canceled a match against San Jose State University scheduled for last Saturday. Their statement said the school made the decision “after a lengthy discussion” and confirmed that the match will be recorded as a forfeit and a loss.

 

The teams have been commended by skeptics of men in women’s athletics, who observe that volleyball can pose increased physical threats to females. One high school female volleyball player in North Carolina suffered long-term concussion symptoms last year after sustaining injuries to her head and neck from a male player who powerfully spiked a ball toward her.

 

Wyoming Republican Governor Mark Gordon also commented in a statement that he remains “in full support” of the decision from the University of Wyoming to cancel the volleyball match. “It is important we stand for integrity and fairness in female athletics,” he commented.

 

 

The two most recent announcements came after Southern Utah University and Boise State University made similar decisions to cancel the matches and register forfeit losses.

 

Surveys indicate that a large percentage of Americans believe that self-described transgender athletes should not be permitted to compete in sports leagues opposite their actual sex.

 

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