A judge ruled that transgender San Jose State women’s volleyball Blaire Fleming can compete for the Spartans at the Mountain West Conference Tournament and throughout the rest of the year.
According to OutKick, federal judge Kato Crews, in Colorado, appointed by President Biden last January, has denied a motion seeking injunctive action in the college volleyball players’ suit against the Mountain West Conference.
Crews wrote that the plaintiff’s request for a delay was “not reasonable.” It would “risk confusion, upset months of planning, and at the very least, prejudice (San Jose State), and other teams competing in the tournament.”
The players who represented Mountain West Conference schools sought to have forfeits reversed, standings adjusted, and Fleming barred from the tournament, citing First Amendment violations and Title IX.
Crews’ decision allowed Fleming the opportunity to participate in the tournament, and the forfeits are still considered losses. Mountain West schools Boise State Wyoming Utah State and Nevada canceled games against San Jose State because of Fleming. These games ended in forfeits or losses. However, it was a positive factor for the Spartans as they were able to achieve a No. The Spartans were ranked No. 2 in the conference tournament.
“San José State University will continue to support its student-athletes and reject discrimination in all forms. All San José State University student-athletes are eligible to participate in their sports under NCAA and Mountain West Conference rules,” the school said in a statement.
We are pleased that the Court has rejected a last-minute attempt to change these rules. Our team is looking forward to competing at the Mountain West Volleyball Tournament this week.
Fleming, despite the controversy, has been a top player in the conference this season and an offensive anchor at San Jose State. Fleming, who is ranked third in the conference for average kills per service with 3.86, has amassed 297 kills in total this year despite having played seven fewer matches than anticipated due to forfeits. San Jose State now has the third-best hitting percentage in the Mountain West.
Mountain West Conference spokeswoman said that if San Jose State wins the tournament, they will crown them champions.
The opponent in this match will be guaranteed to be one of the four teams who refused to play against them during the regular season. Utah State and Boise State will play each other in the quarterfinals to determine which Spartans they face in the next round.
On the other side of the bracket, Colorado State holds the No. 1 seed in the tournament.
Colorado State split the series with San Jose State and played both games this year. Fresno State will play San Diego State in the quarterfinals for the right to face Colorado State. Both teams played the Spartans this year amid controversy.
Under the current system, there will be some uncertainty about San Jose State’s semi-final, no matter which team makes it to that round.
The tournament starts on Wednesday.