For the second time in the past week, a women's college volleyball team has refused to compete against San Jose State, which has a transgender player in its starting lineup.
The University of Wyoming announced in a statement that the team would forfeit its Saturday match against SJSU, which has biological male Blaire Fleming on its team.
Last week, Boise State forfeited against San Jose State, accepting a loss in the process. Previously, Southern Utah refused to face SJSU in a non-conference match as part of the Santa Clara Tournament. "After a lengthy discussion, the University of Wyoming will not play its scheduled conference match against San José State University in the UniWyo Sports Complex on Saturday, Oct.
5," the school announced in a statement. "Per Mountain West Conference policy, the Conference will record the match as a forfeit and a loss for Wyoming." This is a change in stance for the Wyoming Cowgirls, who previously expressed that they would compete against the Spartans, according to a report from Cowboy State Daily. "The Athletic Department administration/coaching staff recently discussed the matter with the entire women’s volleyball team … including any potential safety concerns," Chad Baldwin, a Wyoming spokesman, told the outlet via email last week. "No student-athletes expressed any concern regarding their safety." Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon posted a message of support to the team on X.