College sports usually fly under the radar until tournament season hits. Not this time. Over the last several months, the San Jose State trans volleyball player situation has transformed from a local sports story into a massive national debate involving lawsuits, forfeited games, and high-level political discourse. It’s messy. If you've been following the headlines, you've probably seen a lot of shouting but not a lot of specific context about what started this and where the NCAA actually stands in 2026.
Blaire Fleming is the athlete at the center of the storm. She’s a redshirt senior outside hitter for the San Jose State University (SJSU) Spartans. People started paying attention not just because of her performance on the court—which is objectively strong—but because of the surrounding legal challenges and the unprecedented number of teams refusing to play against her.
It’s a lot to keep track of. Honestly, the timeline feels like a constant stream of court filings and press releases.
How the San Jose State Trans Volleyball Player Debate Boiled Over
The tension didn't happen in a vacuum. It really ignited during the 2024-2025 season. Suddenly, schools in the Mountain West Conference started dropping like flies from the schedule. Southern Utah was the first to pull the plug, followed by Boise State, Wyoming, and Utah State. They didn't just lose; they forfeited. They took the "L" on their records rather than stepping onto the court with SJSU.
Why? Most of these schools cited concerns over "fairness" and "safety." However, the political climate in those specific states—Idaho, Wyoming, Utah—cannot be ignored. Governors and state officials were often the ones cheering on the forfeitures. It wasn't just a coaching decision; it was a policy statement.
The most jarring moment came from within the team itself. Brooke Slusser, a teammate and co-captain of Fleming’s, joined a massive class-action lawsuit against the NCAA led by former swimmer Riley Gaines. Slusser claimed she wasn't told about Fleming's transgender status when they were assigned as roommates. This created an incredibly awkward, tense environment in the locker room. Imagine being a Division I athlete, trying to focus on a conference title, while your own teammate is suing the governing body to prevent you from playing.
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The Physics and the Rules: What the NCAA Says
Critics often point to the sheer power of Fleming’s spikes. Some recorded speeds have hit upwards of 80 mph. In a sport where reaction time is everything, that kind of power is a focal point for safety arguments. But the NCAA rules aren't based on "vibes" or how hard someone hits a ball.
Since 2022, the NCAA has followed a sport-by-sport policy. Basically, they defer to the national governing body of each sport. For volleyball, that means following USA Volleyball’s lead, which aligns with International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) standards.
To play, a trans woman generally must:
- Demonstrate that her testosterone levels have been below a specific threshold (typically 10 nmol/L or 5 nmol/L depending on the year's updated guidance) for at least one year.
- Provide documented medical evidence of gender-affirming hormone therapy.
Fleming has remained compliant with these NCAA rules. That’s the crux of the conflict. One side says, "She met the requirements, so let her play." The other side says, "The requirements themselves are fundamentally flawed because they don't account for bone density or muscle memory developed during male puberty."
The Impact on the Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West has been in a total tailspin. Because of the forfeits, SJSU’s record looked padded. They were winning games without breaking a sweat because the other team just didn't show up. This messed with the RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) rankings, which determines who gets into the big NCAA tournament.
It’s been a logistical nightmare for the conference commissioner, Gloria Nevarez. She’s had to balance the legal rights of a student-athlete under Title IX with the demands of member schools who feel their female athletes are being put at a disadvantage.
Then there’s the fans. If you go to a game, the atmosphere is... heavy. You have protestors outside and intense security inside. It’s a far cry from the usual family-friendly vibe of college volleyball.
Title IX: The Legal Battleground
Everything circles back to Title IX. Originally meant to ensure women had equal access to education and sports, the law is now the primary weapon for both sides.
The Biden-Harris administration recently expanded Title IX protections to include gender identity. This gave SJSU and Fleming a strong legal shield. However, multiple Republican-led states sued to block these changes, arguing that "sex" in Title IX strictly refers to biological sex assigned at birth.
In late 2024 and early 2025, several federal judges issued injunctions. This created a "legal patchwork" where the rules for a trans athlete might change depending on which state the bus just drove into. If SJSU plays in California, the protections are ironclad. If they play in a state under an injunction, the legal ground gets shaky.
What People Get Wrong About the SJSU Situation
Most people think this is just about one person wanting to play a game. It's bigger.
First off, the "safety" argument is nuanced. In high-level D1 volleyball, many cisgender women hit the ball just as hard as Fleming. The question the courts are trying to answer is whether the potential for increased force from a trans athlete constitutes an "unacceptable risk."
Second, the idea that SJSU "cheated" by recruiting her is a stretch. Fleming played at South Carolina (a massive SEC school) before transferring to San Jose State. Her status was known in the coaching circuits. She didn't just appear out of nowhere to dominate a mid-major conference.
Third, the mental toll is real. Regardless of where you stand on the policy, you have a young woman who has become the face of a national culture war. That's a lot of weight for a college student to carry.
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The Path Forward: What Happens Next?
The San Jose State trans volleyball player case is likely headed for the Supreme Court. The inconsistency between different states and the NCAA’s own shifting policies is unsustainable.
We are seeing a move toward more stringent requirements. Some international bodies are moving toward a "total ban" on athletes who went through male puberty, while others are tightening testosterone limits to levels that are almost impossible to maintain without significant medical intervention.
For SJSU, the immediate future involves navigating a fractured conference. They have to decide if they will continue to support Fleming despite the financial and reputational hits from forfeits.
Actionable Steps for Following This Story
If you want to understand this beyond the 30-second news clips, you need to look at the source documents.
- Read the NCAA Transgender Student-Athlete Participation Policy. It’s updated annually. Look for the "Phase Three" requirements which are the most stringent.
- Track the "Himes v. NCAA" and "Gaines v. NCAA" lawsuits. These are the primary legal vehicles that will change how college sports function.
- Monitor USA Volleyball's specific eligibility guidelines. Since the NCAA defers to them, any change in USA Volleyball's stance will immediately disqualify or qualify athletes like Fleming.
- Look at the Mountain West Conference bylaws. Specifically, look for sections on "game participation" and "forfeiture penalties." The conference is currently debating whether schools should be fined for refusing to play.
The situation at San Jose State isn't just about volleyball. It’s the testing ground for the future of sex-segregated sports in America. Whether the result is a new category for athletes, stricter biological testing, or a reinforced commitment to gender identity, the outcome of this specific season will set the precedent for decades.
Keep an eye on the upcoming NCAA Convention. That’s where the actual voting happens. Until then, expect more court dates, more empty bleachers at forfeited games, and a lot more heated debate on your social media feeds.