Nevada Reno Women's Volleyball Team Defies Pressure From University, Becomes Fifth College Team To Protest Transgender Players
In a powerful display of unity and courage, the University of Nevada Reno’s women’s volleyball team has made national headlines by becoming the fifth team to refuse to play against San Jose State University, which has a male player.
Joining the ranks of schools such as Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, and Southern Utah, the University of Nevada Reno is now the fifth team to forfeit a match against San Jose State University due to the presence of a male player, Blaire Fleming.
Pressured by the University of Nevada Reno to follow through with the match, the volleyball team instead chose to stand their ground, prioritizing the integrity of women’s sports and the safety of its players over institutional demands. The standoff between these female athletes and their own university is inspiring many across the country.
The team shared the following statement: “We, the University of Nevada Reno women’s volleyball team, forfeit against San Jose State University and stand united in solidarity with the volleyball teams of Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah State University,” UNR’s players told OutKick. “We demand that our right to safety and fair competition on the court be upheld. We refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes.”
According to Campus Reform, "Nevada’s volleyball team’s statement came after the school told OutKick that the match would go ahead as planned, though the female athletes said that they were not consulted about the decision."
“The school released that statement without consulting our team at all,” Sia Liilii, senior and captain, told OutKick. “We were pretty upset that we were not made aware that a statement was going to come out.”
Campus Reform also reported that UNR told OutKick that, despite the players’ refusal to participate, the match will go ahead “as scheduled” and the volleyball team’s refusal to play against Fleming “does not represent the position of the University.”
A Growing Movement: Fairness for Female Athletes
Nevada Reno joins a growing list of women’s teams that are speaking out against policies that allow male athletes to compete in women’s sports. What makes this team’s stance so significant is its refusal to quietly comply, highlighting the stakes of the debate. These young women are not just forfeiting a game—they’re taking a stand for the future of their sport.
Volleyball, in particular, has its own set of safety concerns when it comes to the inclusion of males in women’s competitions. The sport is fast-paced, with powerful serves and spikes that reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. The size, strength, and power disparity between male and female athletes have serious consequences.
When Safety Is Compromised
The risk isn't just theoretical—there are real-life examples of the dangers women face when competing against male-bodied athletes. Just last year, a young female volleyball player was paralyzed and suffered brain damage after a transgender opponent knocked her down with a ball. The incident highlighted the physical risks of mixing male and female athletes, particularly in sports where reactions to fast-moving objects are key.
This tragic case underscores Nevada Reno’s legitimate concerns about the safety of its players. The difference in muscle mass, reaction time, and overall physicality between male and female athletes puts women at a heightened risk of injury. While the university may pressure its team to prioritize inclusivity, the players are prioritizing something much more vital: their right to compete safely and fairly.
Legal and Ethical Debate
The problem of men competing in women's sports has been exacerbated by the Biden-Harris administration’s 2024 attempt to change Title IX protections to include "gender identity." This rewrite would have prohibited bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports. However, the rule was blocked by multiple federal courts across several states, with challengers arguing it created unfair competition and jeopardized women's sports safety. The Supreme Court upheld the block, citing concerns over fairness.
The Fight for Fairness
For years, women have worked hard to earn their place in sports and to be recognized for their athletic achievements. But today, many feel that those achievements are being undermined by the push to allow male athletes to compete in women’s categories.
Critics of Nevada Reno’s decision often argue that "inclusion" is paramount, but fairness and safety are at the core of the issue for these female athletes. Competing against someone with inherent physical advantages defies the basic principles of competition. By refusing to play, Nevada Reno’s volleyball team is sending a clear message: women’s sports must remain a fair and safe space for female athletes.
While the university may have hoped this situation would resolve itself quietly, Nevada Reno’s volleyball team has shown that female athletes will not be silenced. They have chosen to prioritize their safety and the integrity of their sport—no matter what pressures they face from their university or the public.
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