Head coach says season ‘one of the most difficult’ he’s ‘ever experienced’
Nearly half of San Jose State University’s women’s volleyball players intend to transfer after a season marked by controversy over the inclusion of a male player on their team.
The seven athletes who have entered the transfer portal include Nayeli T’ia, Mari Lawton, Ava Martin, Laurel Barsocchini, Kiyana Faupula, Jade Epps, and Teya Nguyen. None of the players have given a specific reason for transferring, according to Outkick.
“The Spartans are looking for a ‘fresh restart,’ according to a program source who was given anonymity over fear of retaliation,” the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
However, “This isn’t a normal situation where players leave a program that can’t win games. San Jose State was one win away from booking a trip to the NCAA tournament,” Outkick reported.
In a statement to Fox News, the university said it respects the athletes’ decisions.
“Student athletes have the ability to make decisions about their college athletic careers, and we have the utmost respect for that,” SJSU said.
Following the national scrutiny surrounding the team’s trans player, Head Coach Todd Kress told Fox News it was “one of the most difficult seasons [he’s] ever experienced.”
“[A]nd I know this is true as well for many of our players and the staff who have been supporting us all along. Maintaining our focus on the court and ensuring the overall safety and well-being of my players amid the external noise have been my priorities,” Kress said.
Throughout the season, opposing teams forfeited eight matches. The University of Nevada, Reno became the fifth school to forfeit to SJSU and cited the male player, Blaire Fleming, as the reason for its decision, The College Fix previously reported.
“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,” the athletes stated.
Adding to the controversy, SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser and associate head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose filed a lawsuit against the university and the Mountain West Conference for violating female athletes’ rights, The Fix reported.
It challenges the “Transgender Participation Policy” and games marked as forfeitures, citing concerns about Fleming. A federal judge ruled to allow Fleming to continue playing on the team.
The trans player’s career likely ended, however, after the team lost to Colorado State University in the Mountain West Tournament last month.
MORE: College sports official still learning ‘science’ of trans athletes
IMAGE: NBC Bay Area/Youtube
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