The controversy surrounding the San Jose State women\u2019s volleyball team has taken another turn. <\/p>\n
Former San Jose State University assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose has filed a lawsuit over her alleged treatment during the program\u2019s scandal involving transgender athlete<\/a> Blaire Fleming, according to FOX News<\/a>.<\/p>\n Blaire Fleming of the San Jose State Spartans looks on during the third set against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Court at East Gym in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Getty Images<\/p>\n Batie-Smoose, who worked as a SJSU assistant coach for two seasons being getting suspended and eventually relieved of her coaching duties, is alleging that the program\u2019s head coach, Todd Kress, mocked her for supporting Donald Trump in front of their players.<\/p>\n She also claimed that Kress had a hostile reaction to her religious beliefs, which included her belief that a biologically male athlete should not be allowed to compete in female sports.<\/p>\n Kress allegedly called Batie-Smoose, \u201c\u2018Trump-loving\u201d and a \u201cTrump lover\u201d according to the complaint. She also claimed that he, \u201ccornered, yelled at, and berated her\u201d, which led to her feeling unsafe at the school.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House during an event for first responders, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Washington. AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson<\/p>\n According to Batie-Smoose\u2019s complaint, interactions like these deteriorated her relationships with players and negatively impacted her standing within the volleyball program and the school.<\/p>\n In January, the Trump administration concluded that San Jose State University discriminated <\/a>against women by letting a transgender athlete play on the women\u2019s volleyball team<\/a>. <\/p>\n Associate head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose with the San Jose State Spartans watches them play Air Force in an NCAA women\u2019s volleyball game at Spartan Gym in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images<\/p>\n