Boise State women’s volleyball forfeits match against SJSU amid controversy surrounding transgender player

Boise State The women’s volleyball team lost its match Saturday against San Jose State University amid controversy surrounding a transgender member of the Spartans team.

This is the second team this month to forfeit a game against SJSU.

Boise State Athletics issued a statement exclusively to OutKick less than 24 hours before the Mountain West Conference game.

The statement did not provide an explanation for the forfeiture.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“Boise State volleyball will not play its scheduled match at San Jose Stadium on Saturday, September 28,” the statement read. “Per Mountain West Conference policy, the Conference will call the game a forfeit and a loss for Boise State. The Broncos next game will be against Air Force on October 3.”

NCAA also provided OutKick with a statement in response to Boise State’s decision.

“College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America, and NCAA members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition for all student-athletes in all NCAA championships.”

Friday’s news follows controversy surrounding the SJSU women’s volleyball team after the current player joined several other players in suing the NCAA for Title IX violations.

Blaire Fleming, a redshirt senior at San Jose State University, plays on the women’s volleyball team as an outside hitter and right wing. Fleming, a transgender athlete, played two seasons at SJSU after previously playing at Coastal Carolina.

SEN BLACKBURN CALLS ON THE NCAA TO REQUIRE WOMEN’S SPORTS TO ONLY FEMALE BIOLOGICAL STUDENTS

Earlier this week, Fleming’s teammate Brooke Slusser joined former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines and several other athletes in suing the NCAA over its transgender athlete policy, which they say threatens fairness and integrity in women’s competitive sports while putting women at risk .

“I applaud the Boise State athletic department and everyone involved in the decision to forfeit the game against undefeated San Jose State,” Gaines said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Some principles go beyond winning on the court, and one of them is the safety and well-being of players. It is encouraging that a growing number of institutions are prioritizing fairness and safety for athletes over forced integration. “I hope more universities will follow this principle of leading Boise State and Southern Utah, standing up for what is right and protecting the integrity of women’s sports.”

Slusser’s complaint says she was unaware that Fleming was transgender, even though she shares rooms during team trips. Slusser also expressed concerns about the safety of opponents playing against Fleming.

“Brooke estimated that Fleming’s jumps reached speeds of over 80 miles per hour, which was faster than she had ever seen a woman hit a volleyball,” Slusser’s complaint, via the Cowboy State Daily, said. “The girls did everything they could to avoid Fleming’s spikes, but they were still unable to fully protect themselves.”

“One thing that is important in this case is physical safety issues in volleyball,” Slusser’s attorney, Bill Bock, told OutKick. “And this is what they face in practice every day. So this is a crazy, misguided policy that steals women’s sporting dreams and gives them to men, while putting women’s health and safety at risk.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Boise State is the second team to opt out of the game against SJSU. Earlier this month, Southern Utah participated in a tournament in Santa Clara, but only played two of three opponents and chose not to play against SJSU.

“The Southern Utah University volleyball team has elected to play just two non-conference matches this weekend at the tournament in Santa Clara,” the school said in a statement to OutKick.

“The Thunderbirds want to make the most of these games and continue to build momentum to ensure a successful season. Southern Utah has informed tournament directors and opposing teams of their decision and we wish them all the best for the remainder of their seasons.”

The Spartans remain undefeated this season with a record of 9-0. In his most recent win over Fresno State, Fleming led the team with 16 kills.

A university spokesperson said in a statement: “San Jose State volleyball will not play its scheduled home match against Boise State on Saturday, September 28. In accordance with Mountain West Conference policy, the Conference will declare the game a forfeit.”

Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter