Chandler High School Graduate Takes Stand in Lawsuit Against Transgender Volleyball Player

By Matthew Holloway |

Kaylie Ray, a graduate of Chandler High School and co-captain of the Utah State University women’s volleyball team, has initiated legal action alongside several athletes from the University of Wyoming, San Jose State University (SJSU), the University of Nevada, and Boise State University. The group claims that the Mountain West Conference (MWC) and its commissioner forced them to compete against a biological male transgender athlete and altered regulations to undermine their free speech, violating federal Title IX laws.

The controversy arose when Blaire Fleming, a biological male, joined the SJSU team as an outside hitter. Reports indicate that Fleming quickly became the team’s top hitter, sparking significant concern from players and the university community regarding safety and fairness. In response, four universities canceled matches against SJSU, intensifying discussions surrounding the impact of such policies on female athletes.

The lawsuit alleges that the MWC hastily revised its rules to label the match cancellations as forfeits, reflecting growing unease within the league. Attorneys for the plaintiffs assert that this move appears to have been a reaction to a potential protest from women’s volleyball players, asserting that the new policy aims to limit their First Amendment rights.

Represented by Attorney Bill Bock and the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), the plaintiffs filed their lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Colorado. Bock criticized the NCAA, MWC, and college administrators, claiming they are failing female athletes. His statement addressed a need for federal court intervention regarding these issues.

Additionally, teammates of Fleming have voiced their concerns, suggesting they were misled about the realities of competing alongside a biological male. The plaintiffs allege violations of their constitutional rights, encompassing bodily privacy and protections against discrimination.

The issue gained wider attention in October when Fleming struck SJSU junior Keira Herron during a match, capturing the incident on video. Commentators and viewers were shocked by the impact, leading to further discussions on the implications of such physical confrontations in women’s sports. Brooke Slusser, one of the plaintiffs, commented on the extraordinary speed of Fleming’s spikes, which she claimed exceeded anything she had seen from female players.

Riley Gaines, a women’s sports advocate and college swimmer, shared the incident on social media, highlighting the perceived imbalance and potential risks involved in allowing biological males to compete on women’s teams.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.