A judge ruled Monday that transgender San Jose State women's volleyball player Blaire Fleming will be allowed to play for the Spartans in the Mountain West Conference tournament, as well as the rest of the season.
Federal Judge Kato Crews in Colorado, appointed by President Biden in January, denied a motion for injunctive relief in a lawsuit by college volleyball players against the conference, according to OutKick.
The news sparked some reactions on social media, including from women's sports activist Riley Gaines.
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Blaire Fleming, a redshirt senior at San Jose State University, plays outside hitter and right hitter on the women's volleyball team. (San Jose State University/Archive)
“A federal judge just ruled in favor of a male athlete who has been injuring defenseless women in volleyball for years,” Gaines tweeted. “It is time to remove those activist judges who refuse to respect the law as it was intended.”
More X users posted on their accounts to express their displeasure with the ruling.
“Not that there are enough people left with the guts to stand up for what's right, but I would love to see all the teams boycott the tournament,” one user posted. “This must end.”
SJSU TRANS WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER BLAIRE FLEMING GETS GREEN LIGHT TO PLAY IN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Another added: “What a joke. We literally live in an upside down clown world.”
A dozen women jointly filed the lawsuit against Mountain West and its commissioner, alleging violations of Title IX and their First Amendment rights. The women include SJSU volleyball co-captain Brooke Slusser and two former Spartans, as well as athletes from other Mountain West schools.
Crews, however, wrote that the plaintiffs' request for an emergency delay was “unreasonable” and “would risk confusion and upend months of planning and harm, at a minimum, (San Jose State) and other teams.” who participate in the tournament”. “
“Plaintiffs have not met their burden of demonstrating irreparable harm, a likelihood of success on the merits, or that the balance of damages or equities is in their favor,” Crews wrote in his decision.
San Jose State's Blaire Fleming is shown during the game against Air Force, Oct. 19, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
The players were seeking to have their losses rescinded for refusing to play against Fleming and the Spartans, which would, in turn, change the standings heading into the tournament. They also wanted Fleming excluded from the tournament.
Instead, Crews' ruling allows Fleming to play for the Spartans, who are the second seed and have a first-round bye.
Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada were among the conference teams that canceled games against the Spartans due to Fleming's presence on the team. They knew the confiscation would result in a loss on their records, which ultimately helped SJSU secure its top spot.
“San Jose State University will continue to support its student-athletes and reject discrimination in all its forms. All San Jose State University student-athletes are eligible to participate in their sports under the rules of the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference,” the school said in a statement. to Fox News Digital.
“We are pleased that the Court rejected a last-minute attempt to change those rules. Our team looks forward to competing in the Mountain West volleyball tournament this week.”
San Jose State's Blaire Fleming is shown during the game against Air Force, Oct. 19, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Fleming has been a star for the Spartans in matches played this season, averaging 3.86 kills per serve, which ranks third in the Mountain West.
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Heading into the tournament, one of the four teams that lost to SJSU this season is guaranteed to face them in the semifinals, as Utah State and Boise State will meet in the quarterfinals.
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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