Batie-Smoose was suspended indefinitely after she filed a Title IX complaint against San Jose State University, alleging that Blaire Fleming, the team’s transgender player, conspired with an opponent to help the team lose a match and injure teammate Brooke Slusser.

The decision amid a national transgender controversy involving Blaire Fleming, a redshirt senior who joined the Spartans in 2022.

A last-minute appeal by a San Jose State University women’s volleyball player to get her transgender teammate banned from a regional championship series starting Wednesday has been denied. A two-judge panel in Colorado federal appeals court on Tuesday morning rejected the emergency appeal by San Jose co-captain Brooke Slusser and others to prevent a transgender woman from playing for the

Slusser and the others sued San Jose State officials, the conference and other defendants in Colorado federal court Nov. 13. For courts, temporary injunctions like those sought in this case are intended to “preserve the status quo” until a trial can provide a legal resolution, Crews said.

U.S. District Judge S. Kato Crews said temporary injunctive relief is intended to preserve the status quo pending the outcome of a trial, but that an order to remove San Jose State University player Blaire Fleming would disrupt it.

Former UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas spoke about the controversy surrounding San Jose State women's volleyball and transgender player Blaire Fleming.

The suit was filed on behalf of players who claimed it was unfair and physically unsafe for them to play against a purportedly transgender athlete.