Nevada
EXCLUSIVE: Nevada Players Vote To Forfeit Against SJSU, Transgender Player Despite School’s Statement
The Nevada women’s volleyball team held a vote among players and voted to forfeit an Oct. 26 match against San Jose State and transgender player Blaire Fleming, OutKick has exclusively learned.
The Nevada athletic department said in an exclusive statement to OutKick on Oct. 3 that the team would play the scheduled match. However, the school did not consult with the players before making that statement.
“The University of Nevada volleyball team remains focused on its upcoming matches with UNLV and San Diego State and intends to play its remaining Mountain West schedule, including the match with San José State University on October 26,” the statement read.
“The University will continue to abide by the NCAA, Mountain West Conference and USA Volleyball rules and regulations as well as the laws and Constitution of the State of Nevada.”
The University of Nevada issued a statement about its October 26 women’s volleyball match against San Jose State and transgender player Blaire Fleming without consulting members of the team.
(University of Nevada Athletics)
But most of the Nevada players did not agree with the decision made by the school and decided to take matters into their own hands.
“We, the University of Nevada Reno women’s volleyball team, forfeit against San Jose State University and stand united in solidarity with the volleyball teams of Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah State University,” the team wrote in an exclusive statement to OutKick.
“We demand that our right to safety and fair competition on the court be upheld. We refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes.”
Riley Gaines, host of the OutKick podcast “Gaines for Girls” and one of the most influential pro-woman voices in the country, lauded the Nevada team for their bravery.
“When college athletes have to vote on whether to play the sport they received scholarships for, it’s a clear sign that the adults responsible for protecting them have failed,” Gaines said in a statement to OutKick.
“I applaud these athletes for setting boundaries and prioritizing their safety over victory. They’ve shown far more courage and leadership than the president of the university and the President of this country.
“A movement is forming, where athletes take control of their future, reminding us that what’s being called ‘progressive’ is actually taking us back in time.”
Sia Liilii, a senior and one of two captains on the team, told OutKick that players were frustrated when they found out that the school had committed them to playing the match without speaking to them.
“The school released that statement without consulting our team at all,” Liilii said. “We were pretty upset that we were not made aware that a statement was going to come out.”
Nevada senior Sia Liilii told OutKick that players were upset and frustrated when the school committed them to playing against San Jose State and transgender player Blaire Fleming without consulting the team.
(University of Nevada Athletics)
The senior outside hitter also noted that the timing of the statement couldn’t have been worse.
“We were actually in Las Vegas preparing for our match against UNLV, our in-state rival,” she said. “It was a really frustrating time, especially because we were about to go and play a big game.”
Nevada lost to UNLV, 3-2, although Liilii acknowledged that the statement release did not affect the team’s performance.
The senior told OutKick that players and coaches had a meeting the day after the match against UNLV to talk about the statement that the school released.
She said that players decided they wanted time to think about what they wanted to do.
This week, the team came together again and made the decision to forfeit their match against San Jose State.
“We decided that we’re going to stand in solidarity with other teams that have already forfeited and that we wouldn’t participate in a game that advances sex-based discrimination or injustice against female athletes,” Liilii said.
Despite University of Nevada officials declaring the volleyball team would play San Jose State and transgender player Blaire Fleming, players voted to forfeit the October 26 match.
(University of Nevada Athletics & San Jose State University Athletics)
Nevada is the fifth school to cancel a match this season against San Jose State and the fourth Mountain West team to forfeit rather than face transgender opponent Blaire Fleming.
Southern Utah became the first school to cancel its match against San Jose State last month when it backed out of a scheduled contest at the Santa Clara Tournament.
Nevada joined Boise State, Wyoming and Utah State as schools from the Mountain West to accept a loss rather than play their scheduled match.
While Liilii acknowledged the potential for negative backlash due to the team’s decision, they decided it was worth it to stand up for what they believe in.
“It’s definitely something that we’ve talked about as a team, but we’ve always come back to the fact that we believe that women deserve fair competition and our rights to opportunity,” she said.
OutKick reached out to the University of Nevada to request comment on the decision made by the players. We will update if/when the school returns our message.
The Mountain West Conference has repeatedly told OutKick that the forfeits are “institutional decisions” and the conference has no plans, currently, to adjust their procedures despite the multiple cancelations.
The Mountain West has remained relatively quiet about San Jose State volleyball and transgender player Blaire Fleming, despite four schools forfeiting conference matches in the past two weeks.
(Getty Images & San Jose State Athletics)
The conference’s latest statement to OutKick, sent on Oct. 3:
“Per Mountain West policy, these are institutional decisions, and questions should be directed to the institutions. The forfeits are following the current policy and will be accounted for in the conference standings,” conference spokesperson Javan Hedlund wrote via email.
OutKick reached out to the Mountain West after the Nevada announcement to ask if a fourth school forfeiting a match had changed the conference’s position.
They did not immediately respond to our request.
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Authorities have canceled an AMBER Alert after they say a 10-month-old child taken by a non-custodial parent was found safe.
North Las Vegas Police said Thursday that Leilani Williams (aka Leilani Duke) was taken by her father, Roderick Duke.
Duke and Leilani were last seen at an apartment complex in the area of Martin L. King Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue at 1:40 a.m.
“An AMBER Alert has been activated due to Roderick being in emotional crisis and making threats to harm himself and 10-month-old Leilani,” NLVPD said in a statement.
By 10:05 a.m., NLVPD said that Leilani was located unharmed.
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Officers took Duke into custody without further incident, and the AMBER Alert has been canceled.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed Nevada Democrats who packed a Las Vegas brewery Wednesday evening for a discussion about his upbringing, his political life and efforts his state has taken to combat the Trump administration agenda.
Newsom, who has been floated as a possible White House contender for 2028, sidestepped a quip from former Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak who introduced him as the next U.S. president amid cheers from the crowd.
“I’m very grateful for your friendship, and a friendship that’s only strengthened over the course of the last year or so,” Newsom told Sisolak.
Book tour stop
The event, which served as a book tour stop for the California governor, was organized by the Nevada Democratic Party. It took place at Nevada Brew Works near Summerlin.
Nevada Assemblymember Daniele Monroe-Moreno, the state party chair running for North Las Vegas mayor, moderated the discussion.
It was part of the party’s Local Brews + National Views series that’s been bringing Democrats for similar discussions at intimate venues. Past speakers have included former President Joe Biden, Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
Criticizing President Donald Trump, Newsom spoke about the immediate aftermath of the 2024 general election.
“We were handwringing, a lot of finger pointing, and a sense of weakness,” Newsom said. “And just incapable of dealing with this moment, this existential moment.”
He said he is taking account for what he described as his own complicity.
“This happened on my watch. This is all happening on our watch,” Newsom said. “And so I realized that I needed to be better.”
That included his advocacy to redraw California’s Congressional map after Trump called for the same in Texas, he said.
“They’re not screwing around, nor are we,” he said about Trump and his administration. “All of us.”
‘You’re giving us a voice’
Newsom spoke out against the surge of federal immigration enforcement operations in California and later Minnesota, calls from the Trump administration to nationalize elections, and cuts to government funding due to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.
He said that pushback against Trump’s policies, including dozens of lawsuits filed by California, were making the president retreat on some of his proposals and policies.
“You’re filling the void, you’re giving us a voice, you’re giving us courage,” he told the crowd. “For things to change, we have to change. And it’s changing.”
The Republican National Committee reacted to Newsom’s Las Vegas visit. Earlier in the day, Newsom attended a private Boulder City event.
“Democrats are selling out to the spoiled, phony rich kid governor from California for years,” RNC spokesperson Nick Poche wrote in a statement. “President Donald Trump and Republicans are delivering major tax cuts and keeping Nevadans safe, unlike Democrats.”
The national Republican Party also criticized California’s policies, and tied them back to Nevada Democrats.
Most of Newsom’s remarks weren’t specific to Nevada. He didn’t take any questions from media.
Polling shows Newsom and Vice President JD Vance leading in hypothetical races for their parties’ nomination. That includes a survey of likely Nevada voters conducted one by Emerson College Polling in November.
Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – It’s time to “free your heels” and embrace Tahoe’s winter recreation at the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival on March 7. Whether you’re a seasoned pro at cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or you’re trying to get your feet wet, Saturday’s event is teeming with nature, brews, and camaraderie.
Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) is teaming up with Nevada Nordic, Tahoe Multisport, Alibi Ale Works, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation and other local partners in the wondrous Tahoe Meadows, providing attendees a chance to engage with outdoor recreation experts, check out free cross-country and snowshoe rentals, and more.
“We’re excited to see the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival enter its second year, building on last year’s strong community response. In collaboration with our local partners, this event is thoughtfully curated with residents in mind – offering free equipment for the day, expert instruction, locally crafted brews, and other experiences in a welcoming setting,” said Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. “It’s designed to make it easy for residents to get outside, try something new, and bring people together. Events like this reflect the spirit of North Lake Tahoe and what’s possible when our community comes together.”
Along with opportunities to test out free demos and rentals, there will be live music, beer tasting and races.
Tahoe Meadows is known for its gentle trails, and is a popular spot for snowshoeing due to its flat terrain. This event, located near Chickadee Ridge, will offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
This family-friendly event is on the second to last day of the 10-day SnowFest winter festival that’s been taking place in the North Lake Tahoe area. It starts bright and early at 9 a.m. and will close out at 2 p.m.
“Nevada Nordic is thrilled to be a part of SnowFest again this year,” said Meghan Pry, Nevada Nordic Board Member. “We love sharing our passion for cross-country skiing and watching our community grow. We are proud to keep winter recreation accessible by offering free access to our 20km trail network. This is the perfect opportunity for our community to gather together and free our heels!”
For more information about the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival or to check out the SnowFest schedule, visit tahoesnowfest.org.
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