"BSU women's volleyball team are HEROINES": Riley Gaines reacts as Boise State withdraws from semifinals against SJSU amid Blaire Fleming controversy

Riley Gaines commended the Boise State University women's volleyball team for withdrawing from the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship rather than playing San Jose State University in the semifinals. While the team didn't specify the exact reason behind their withdrawal, they demanded a 'better system that serves all athletes'.

SJSU has witnessed multiple teams forfeiting their matches against them over the alleged presence of a transgender player on their team, Blaire Fleming. A lawsuit calling for a ban on Fleming's participation in the tournament was recently filed in Colorado but the court ruled Monday that the player was allowed to play.

Former swimmer Riley Gaines has been vocal against Fleming's participation in the championship and has called on the conference teams to forfeit their matches against the Spartans. After BSU withdrew from the tournament, Gaines lauded the team and termed it a heroic effort.

"Boise State FORFEITS the conference semifinal match against SJSU in protest of a man playing. They've made it clear some things matter more than victory. The BSU women's volleyball team are HEROINES. Thank you, thank you, thank you @BroncoSportsVB," she wrote on X.

BSU released a statement announcing their withdrawal and demanded a better system where all athletes were served.

"The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one. Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday. They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes," the statement read (via New York Post).

The Spartans have witnessed six forfeits in the 2024 season so far from Wyoming, Utah State, Nevada and Southern Utah alongside Boise State (twice). They will now advance directly advance to Saturday's championship match and will face either Colorado State or San Diego State. Both teams have played Spartans in the 2024 season and the championship is likely to go ahead.

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"Some things matter more than victory" - Riley Gaines on why forfeiting the matches against SJSU is important

NCAA SWIMMING: Riley Gaines in action (Image: Getty)

While neither SJSU nor Blaire Fleming herself has spoken about her gender, Riley Gaines called her 'a male' and defended the teams who were forfeiting their matches against the program. Speaking at the Stand With Women event, she said:

"San Jose State University has a male on their team. Taking a scholarship, taking a roster spot, taking a travel spot from a hardworking, deserving female athlete."

The former All-American swimmer explained that teams were prioritizing their safety by forfeiting their matches with the Spartans.

"They ultimately decided to forfeit the match, understanding that they would accept a loss. Understanding that they would accept a loss but they said, 'Look, this is a loss that we are willing to accept, because some things matter more than victory, and in this case, our safety does'," Riley Gaines added.

Gaines last swam competitively during the 2022 NCAA Swimming Championships, where she was involved in a controversy with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and left the sport in protest in the following weeks.