Blaire Fleming and Brooke Slusser, two volleyball teammates from San José State University (SJSU), arrived in Las Vegas for what would be their last trip together as teammates just before Thanksgiving. The team attended a magic show that evening, where a security escort stood guard over them, highlighting the tension surrounding their season. The magicians invited audience members to the stage and attempted to reveal their secrets, but neither Fleming nor Slusser was called upon. Slusser noted that this turned out to be fortunate given the complicated dynamics of their team, especially as she was embroiled in two lawsuits concerning Fleming’s inclusion on the team. She alleged that she had been forced to share accommodations and facilities with Fleming without knowledge that Fleming was a trans woman and also claimed that Fleming had conspired to spike her in a game—a claim that went unproven during a conference investigation.
Despite the escalating legal drama, the Thanksgiving experience for the young athletes was somewhat uneventful. Slusser sat at a table, surrounded by teammates and family, enjoying a meal of takeout Thanksgiving food. While aware of the controversy surrounding their participation in the upcoming Mountain West Tournament final, there were no discussions about it during their gathering. Instead, the night was filled with casual conversations, marking a brief escape from the ongoing legal battles and team tensions. As they prepared for the final, Slusser reflected on the fact that she had not allowed the intimidation of the situation to interfere with her commitment to the sport, demonstrating resilience in an emotionally charged environment.
The competitive backdrop of their season was framed by surrounding controversies, as Slusser acknowledged the significant competitive edge that Fleming brought to the team. While she had to reconcile her feelings about being a teammate of a trans athlete, Slusser recognized Fleming’s outstanding performance, which included a high number of kills in matches. However, the weight of ongoing lawsuits and public scrutiny created a unique pressure for her as she navigated her final season. She candidly expressed her concerns about not wanting to harm opponents when setting up Fleming for plays, encapsulating the conflict between her competitive instincts and her awareness of the controversies dominating their season.
The realities of the championship game were stark as they faced Colorado State after days of anticipation and potential forfeits from other teams unwilling to compete against them. Fleming’s performance was erratic during the championship match; while she contributed significantly with kills, her errors presented challenges for the team. They ended their season with a sense of resolve as the game slipped away, and Slusser experienced a mix of relief and sadness. After the match, the head coach condemned the forfeitures faced by his team and reflected on the hate directed towards them. In an emotional moment, Slusser sought out her suspended coach, who had been a staunch supporter during the controversies surrounding the team.
As Slusser walked off the court for the last time as a collegiate athlete, she felt a mixture of emotions, including relief at having completed her tenure with Fleming as a teammate. Nonetheless, this experience has significantly impacted her worldview, sparking a desire to scrutinize her future engagements in collegiate sports, both as a potential athlete and as a parent. Her lawsuits against the NCAA and her university have opened her eyes to systemic issues within collegiate athletics, and she feels a profound sense of mistrust regarding future relationships, both personal and professional.
Slusser’s journey, marked by her time with Fleming and the surrounding controversy, has been transformative, reshaping her perspective on trust and how she views and experiences team dynamics. The sport that once brought her joy has become fraught with tension and unsolvable dilemmas amidst a backdrop of legal battles and societal debates about inclusion in sports. Even though she is striving to embark on a professional career in sports science, this experience has left a lasting imprint on her philosophy about sports and relationships, shaping the way she anticipates her future engagements in the athletic realm.
