"Message that's being sent loud and clear" - Riley Gaines backs SJSU's female athlete for accusing her transgender teammate of a harm plot

Riley Gaines recently expressed her support for a female athlete from the San Jose State University who accused a transgender volleyball teammate of plotting harm against her. SJSU player Brooke Slusser along with other teammates have filed a new lawsuit against the University and the Mountain West Conference.

According to the court documents and Slusser's statements, the transgender volleyball player Blaire Fleming allegedly plotted to have her struck in the face by a volleyball during the match. Another San Jose State volleyball player. Chandler Manusky, recalled the incident of Fleming plotting the harm in in early October.

Manusky claimed that Fleming ensured a loss for San Jose State University volleyball team and coordinated with Colarado's State's Malaya Jones to hit Slusser in the face with a spike during a game on October 3, 2024.

In an interview with Fox News, where Gaines and Slusser made an appearance to shed light on the situation, the former NCAA swimmer lauded the SJSU volleyball team players for standing against the trans athlete. She also commended the suspended assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose, who earlier confronted the situation.

It's retaliation, " Riley Gaines said. "That's what this is. "That's the message that's being sent loud and clear is do not oppose us, do not even dare question our motives or else we will get rid of you and that's exactly what Melissa's gone through, thats exactly what San Jose State University's team has gone through and so I want to commend this brave girls like Brooke and other teammates who have been willing to say this is unfair, it's unsafe, it's wrong."

"This is the way" - Riley Gaines urges fans to donate in support of SJSU volleyball team's lawsuit against their transgender teammate

Riley Gaines lauded the San Jose State University women's volleyball team (Image Source: Getty)

Riley Gaines called on her supoorters to donate to the legal fund backing the San Jose State University women's volleyball team in their lawsuit against a transgender teammate.

Gaines, who has been an outspoken advocate for women's safety in sports rallied behind the team, urging fans to contribute to the legal expenses of the team.

"This is HUGE," she wrote. "Female volleyball players in the Mountain West conference drop a bombshell lawsuit against the @MountainWest citing First Amendment & Title IX violations. Several of his SJSU teammates signed on as well. This is the way. Hold the line!!!"

"If you have the ability to donate to help fund the lawsuit, here is the way to do so," Riley Gaines added.

The SJSU volleyball team faced multiple forfeits after Southern Utah, Boise State, Utah State,Wyoming, and Nevada withdrew from competing against them.