On October 8, 2024, former Utah State University women's volleyball player Kaylie Ray testified before the Arizona Senate Education and Early Childhood Committee in support of Senate Bill 1165, which would prohibit males from participating in interscholastic or intramural athletic activities designated for females in public schools and institutions of higher education.[1][2]

Ray, who played setter for the Utah State Aggies from 2020 to 2023, described challenges related to the San Jose State University women's volleyball controversy involving transgender athlete Blaire Fleming.[3][4] She noted that Utah State forfeited its scheduled match against San Jose State on October 4, 2024, in protest.[3][5]

Arizona State Sen. Catherine Miranda, a Democrat representing District 13, responded to Ray's testimony by commenting, "I mean, you look pretty healthy… You look very much in shape and strong," before asking, "So how competitive do you think you really are?"[2][4] Miranda cited her own experiences competing against boys in her youth, stating she would have welcomed a male teammate.[2][4]

Ray replied during the hearing, questioning how her advocacy could be seen as uncompetitive, and later told reporters, "How could you look me in the eyes and ask me if I'm competitive. Obviously I'm standing in front of you fighting for something right now."[2][4] She described maintaining composure despite being upset internally.[4]

Miranda's office has not issued a statement on the exchange as of October 10, 2024.[2][4] Senate Bill 1165 received a do-pass recommendation from the committee following the hearing.[1]

Sources

1. Arizona Legislature. "Senate Education and Early Childhood Committee Agenda - October 8, 2024". Accessed October 10, 2024. https://www.azleg.gov/agendas/?chamber=S&CommitteeID=13&MeetingDate=2024-10-08
2. Arizona Legislature. "SB 1165 - Designating athletic competition categories; transgender students". Introduced January 22, 2024. https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/2r/bills/sb1165p.htm
3. Utah State University Athletics. "Utah State Volleyball Forfeit Announcement". October 3, 2024. https://utahstateaggies.com/news/2024/10/3/volleyball-utah-state-to-forfeit-match-against-san-jose-state
4. Utah State University Athletics. "Kaylie Ray - Women's Volleyball". Accessed October 10, 2024. https://utahstateaggies.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/kaylie-ray/14040
5. Washington Examiner. "Arizona lawmaker questions female athlete’s competitiveness at hearing: ‘You look pretty healthy’". October 9, 2024. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/education/3167462/arizona-lawmaker-questions-female-athletes-competitiveness/