UNR Women’s Volleyball Team Votes to Forfeit Match Over Transgender Participation; School Claims Tournament Will Proceed

The University of Nevada, Reno women’s volleyball team recently voted to forfeit their match on October 26th against San Jose State and transgender player Blaire Fleming. Their inclusion on San Jose’s women’s squad has sparked a wave of backlash, which is why Nevada, Reno’s women are speaking out.

“We, the University of Nevada Reno women’s volleyball team, forfeit against San Jose State University and stand united in solidarity with the volleyball teas of Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah State University,” the team’s statement read. “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.”

However, the University of Nevada, Reno, is refusing to acknowledge its players’ choice to forfeit. The school released a statement reiterating that it will move forward with its game against San Jose State. Days ago, the University confirmed that it received a statement that indicated the team’s intent to forfeit the match. Nevada, Reno claims that the players’ decisions were made independently and without consultation from the school or its athletic department, reaffirming that the players’ feelings do not reflect the University as well.

“The University and its athletic programs are governed by the Nevada Constitution and Nevada law, which strictly protect equality of rights under the law, and that equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged by this state or any of its subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin,” the school said in its own announcement.

The school stated that the players would not be disciplined for skipping the match. Article I, Section 24 of Nevada’s Constitution provides the Equality of Rights under the law. Twenty-three states have laws restricting the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.