The mother of a Division I volleyball player voiced concerns over her daughter’s safety as the NCAA permits a transgender athlete to compete against women. April Chainey, from Idaho, criticized the decision, stating it jeopardizes fairness and safety. Her daughter’s team will face biological male Blaire Fleming—formerly Brayden—who has been instrumental in leading California’s San Jose State University to an undefeated season.

“They’ve worked too hard for this to be taken away,” Chainey told The Daily Signal. She finds it “unconscionable” that the NCAA allows men to compete against women, citing the inherent biological advantages males have. Fleming, a 6’1” junior, transferred from Coastal Carolina University before the 2021-2022 season, which was shortly after South Carolina’s Save Women’s Sports Act banned biological males from female sports.

In California, however, state law allows athletes to compete according to their gender identity. Chainey emphasizes the issue isn’t just personal to her daughter but impacts women’s sports across the NCAA. She highlights that males possess physical traits that put female players at greater risk, referencing an incident where a high school volleyball player, Payton McNabb, suffered a concussion after being hit by a ball spiked by a transgender athlete at 76 mph.

McNabb has spoken out about the physical and mental toll of facing male competitors, condemning the NCAA for placing female athletes in dangerous situations. Chainey echoed these fears, expressing concern that her daughter and others could suffer serious, life-altering injuries like McNabb’s.

In men’s volleyball, the net is higher to account for their greater strength and power, but when males compete against women, the risks increase. Marshi Smith of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports warned that lowering the net for male players increases the potential for injury among female athletes, whose bone density is generally lower.

San Jose State had planned to play Southern Utah University in a recent tournament, but Southern Utah canceled, with some speculating the reason was Fleming’s participation, as reported by OutKick. This decision inspired Chainey to speak up, believing it’s unfair to force female athletes into these difficult situations.

Chainey is devastated by the NCAA’s stance, fearing that it endangers both the safety and careers of women athletes. She worries that her daughter’s goal to play volleyball internationally could be jeopardized by this policy. Despite never speaking publicly before, Chainey felt compelled to raise awareness and encourage others to do the same. She believes more voices are needed to challenge the current state of women’s sports.

“I’m not against trans athletes,” Chainey clarified, “I’m for women athletes to compete on a fair and safe playing field.” She criticized the NCAA for failing to provide such conditions and warned that the future of women’s sports is at stake.

“This is about the survival of women’s sports,” Chainey concluded, “and a fair, safe, level playing field is what’s on the line.”