Women's College Volleyball Captain Takes Side In Transgender Debate

10/17/2024 02:42 PM

Controversy has brewed in Division I women's volleyball as the University of Nevada team recently stated that it would not compete against San Jose due to the San Jose team having a transgender athlete.

Speaking to the Reno Gazette Journal, Nevada team captain Sia Liilii stated that the team's refusal to play came down to "equal opportunity" and "fair play on the court." Liilii stated that it's "not fair" for a "biological male to come in" and play in a sport where women have fought so hard to elevate it to where it is now.

"For us, it always came down to... equal opportunity, fair play on the court," Liilii said. "Women have fought so hard to get to the point where we are, playing D1 volleyball and having matches like this," Liilii said. "For someone who is a biological male to come in is not fair."

Liilii and the rest of the team have been widely praised by people advocating against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports, including numerous politicians and even U.S. Presidential candidates. 

The University of Nevada initially canceled the game but announced that it would be back on, but on the condition that any members of their team that didn't want to play would not be penalized for doing so. However, Liilii has made it clear that she doesn't expect their position to change.

"I know what our team is going to do, and we are going to have integrity," Liilii said. "I think this is the toughest thing our team has gone through, but I'm just glad I have so many brave young women behind me, and I get to be the captain of this team."

We haven't heard the last from the University of Nevada on this issue.

Related: Another Volleyball Team Forfeits Against San Jose State Due To Transgender Controversy