Sports
Michigan Parent Files Title IX Complaint Over Transgender Volleyball Player
A Michigan parent filed a Title IX complaint with the Department of Education over the presence of a trans-identifying biological male player on the Ann Arbor Skyline girls’ volleyball team. OutKick obtained a copy of the official complaint, filed with the Department of Education on Dec. 5, 2025.
Sean Lechner, whose daughter competed on the Monroe High School volleyball team, said his daughter was forced to compete against, and change in the same locker room, as the biological male.
“Ann Arbor Skyline played Monroe High School and won. Both schools failed to ensure fair competition, provide a safe environment and equal opportunity to participate in sex-separated athletic programs,” the complaint letter alleges.
“My daughter was forced to share a locker room, where females undressed, with the male athlete. The presence of a male in the girls’ locker room was not disclosed prior to the match, constituting a violation of privacy and bodily integrity protections under Title IX,” the complaint continues.
During a press conference held in Monroe on Monday, Lechner’s daughter Briley spoke about the incident.
“We found out… weeks after that there was [a] male in the same locker room as us as we were changing and also playing against us. It caught everyone off guard… because nobody would have expected that,” Lechner said. “As I was looking at this person, admiring how amazing they were, admiring how high they could jump, I was kinda getting down on myself [wondering] why I’m not capable of that.”
Controversy Around Ann Arbor Skyline High School
As OutKick previously reported exclusively, the Skyline girls volleyball team had a trans-identifying biological male (who OutKick is not naming because the person is believed to be a minor) in its starting lineup. The team reached the Michigan Division 1 state quarterfinals before losing to Byron Center, but the athlete earned First Team All-Conference honors.
The status of transgender athletes in Michigan is in legislative limbo. Although the Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives has passed two bills to prohibit transgender participation in girls’ and women’s sports, the Democrat-controlled state Senate has said it won’t even consider a ban on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.
A Michigan parent filed a formal complaint with the Department of Education over a trans-identifying biological male on the Ann Arbor Skyline’s girls’ volleyball team.
(Getty Images)
While Michigan does not explicitly ban transgender participation in girls’ and women’s sports, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that effectively does. As a public high school, Skyline could be subjected to a loss of federal funding if found to be in violation of that executive order.
Several schools, districts and athletic associations across the country are currently under investigation by the Department of Education for Title IX violations related to transgender athletes, but none are in the state of Michigan.
Lechner wants that to change, which is why he filed his complaint.
Allegations of Athletic Director Hiding Information
Lechner accused the Monroe athletic director, Chet Hesson, of lying about his awareness of a transgender player on Skyline’s team prior to Monroe’s match against them.
“Hesson claimed in writing that he did not have prior knowledge of the athlete’s sex or gender identity. This was false, as confirmed by a staff member of the athletic community at Monroe High who came forward and provided information to Tom Heck, President of the Monroe Public School Board, in a statement that Chet knew the day before the match,” the complaint continues.
OutKick reached out to Hesson after the Sept. 9 match to ask if Skyline made him aware that the school rostered a trans-identifying biological male.
“Prior to the match on Tuesday, I was informed that a news outlet may attend the match, as a courtesy from the visiting team in case media presence might cause a distraction. I did not receive any disclosure from the visiting team about the gender identity of any individual athlete or athletes,” Hesson wrote in an email to OutKick on September 15.
OutKick followed up with Hesson, asking if he pressed the Skyline AD further after being told national media might be in attendance for a regular season girls’ high school volleyball match.
“I did speak with the AD, she shared that there was a news outlet that was concerned about trans-athletes in sport,” Hesson said in an email on Sept. 16.
A Michigan parent filed a Title IX complaint after Skyline fielded a trans-identified athlete; the complaint alleges privacy and fairness violations and questions MHSAA compliance.
(OutKick)
Lechner claims that Hesson knew that Skyline had a trans-identifying player and chose not to share the information with Monroe’s players or parents.
“By withholding this information, Hesson denied female athletes the opportunity to make informed decisions about their participation and privacy, violating Title IX’s protection against sex-based discrimination,” the complaint said.
The Michigan Department of Education told OutKick that it “received the complaint and is reviewing it.”
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), Ann Arbor Public Schools and Monroe Public Schools did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
However, OutKick obtained an internal email sent to staff by Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Andrew Shaw. In the email, Shaw said the district received a Title IX complaint Dec. 5 and has hired a third party to investigate, instructing staff not to comment until the review is complete.
What’s Next?
As for Lechner’s ultimate goal in filing the complaint, he asked that the school district:
- Ban biological males from competing in female sports.
- Ban biological males from entering female locker rooms during athletic competitions.
- Conduct a full investigation into actions and communications of Ann Arbor Public Schools/Skyline High and Monroe Public Schools/Monroe High School/athletic director Chet Hesson, including potential Title IX violations.
- Review compliance with MHSAA rules regarding participation of transgender athletes.
- Establish and enforce clear protocols for:Locker room access and privacyParental notification for all matchesCompetitive safety when playing against male athletesTransparent communication between athletic administrators, coaching staff, and parents
- Locker room access and privacy
- Parental notification for all matches
- Competitive safety when playing against male athletes
- Transparent communication between athletic administrators, coaching staff, and parents
- Provide a written report detailing findings, Title IX implications, and corrective measures
“Parents must have confidence that school administrators prioritize the safety, privacy, equitable treatment, and fairness of female athletes. The events of September 9th and October 25th, combined with the publicly reported impact of the Skyline male athlete, demonstrate administrative failures at both Skyline High and Monroe High that violate Title IX and MHSAA regulations and require immediate action,” the letter concludes.
Lechner, other parents and young girls are asking for the bare minimum: follow Title IX and keep girls’ sports safe and fair. If even that is too much, we have lost the plot as a society.
Note: This story has been updated with additional information since original publication.
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s and women’s track and field teams took four of the first six ASUN Performer of the Week honors in the 2025-26 indoor track and field season as announced by the conference office on Wednesday.
On the track, Taha Er Raouy and Edna Chelulei earned the men’s and women’s weekly honors, with Daroyce Flemons and Kristan Simmons taking the honors in the field after all four broke school records in their respective events to open the indoor season.
Er Raouy took the men’s track honors after breaking the school record in the invite section of the 3,000 meters with a time of 7:40.56, finishing 6th in a mixed field of top collegiate athletes and professionals at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener last Saturday.
At the same meet, Chelulei set the EKU indoor record in the women’s 5,000 meters with a time of 15:42.14.
Back in the Commonwealth, Flemons and Simmons set new program records in the men’s and women’s weight throw at the KTCCCA Commonwealth College Opener in Louisville to earn Field Performer of the Week honors.
Flemons’ record-breaking throw went 17.81m (58.05.25) in his Colonel debut to take first in the men’s event, while Simmons threw 17.28m (56-08.50) to take first on the women’s side.
The Colonels will next compete in the new year at the Bellarmine Open on January 16.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to bring a 6-4 player like Katelynn to our roster. It’s a rare occasion when you can add someone with size, who you know well, who you’re genuinely excited about, and who has competed at a high level,” said Pizzotti. “Katelynn is a great fit for our program, and we’re thrilled for her to continue her Blue Demon career with our team.”
In four seasons as a volleyball letterwinner, Oxley appeared in 106 matches for the Blue Demons and totaled 483 kills and 318 blocks. In her senior campaign, the Lincoln, Neb. native ranked sixth in the BIG EAST with 1.12 blocks per set while her .318 hitting percentage ranked eighth.
In her prep career, Oxley played two seasons of varsity basketball at Lincoln Lutheran and led her squad in points, blocks and rebounds her junior and senior campaigns. Her teams went 45-7 in two seasons and finished top three in C1 State championship in back-to-back seasons. Oxley won multiple all-city, all-conference and all-state accolades in her time on the hardwood.
Oxley earned her undergraduate degree in Finance in June of 2025 and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics. She has been named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team on three occasions and compiled a 4.0 GPA throughout her time in Chicago.
Up Next
The Blue Demons return home to host UMass Lowell Thursday, Dec. 11. Tipoff from Wintrust Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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For all the latest information on DePaul Women’s Basketball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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Nabwe returned to the college indoor scene at the M City Classic where she tossed a season-opening 23.74m (77-10 3/4) in the weight throw to sit at No. 1 in the NCAA. The toss for Nabwe was over four feet further than her 2024 opening weight throw of 22.45m (73-8) at the same meet. Nabwe’s winning throw of 16.40m (53-9 3/4) in the shot put was also an improvement from last year’s opening indoor competition by nearly two feet (15.95m | 52-4). Nabwe’s shot put mark from the M City Classic is ranked No. 3 in the nation and the No. 1 in the Big Ten after last weekend’s action.
The weekly honor for Nabwe is the seventh the redshirt junior has earned between the indoor and the outdoor season. Last indoor season Nabwe became the first Big Ten weight thrower in nine years to repeat as champion at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and was just the fifth Big Ten women’s weight thrower all-time to defend their conference title. According to the USTFCCCA, Nabwe ranks No. 8 all-time with her lifetime best weight throw mark of 24.22m (79-5 1/2) – which she set at last year’s Big Ten Indoor Championships.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota cross country and track and field team on X.com (Twitter) and Instagram (@GopherCCTF) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the season.
This is the sixth straight season that the Huskies have had at least two players named to the AVCA All-America teams and the fourth time in program history that SCSU has had three or more All-America selections in a season which have all come in the last four seasons (four in 2021, three in 2022, three in 2024).
Thompson becomes the fifth player in program history to become a multi-time All-American after Lindsey Rachel ’22 (3x; 2019, 21, 22), Phebie Rossi ’22 (2x; 2021, 22), former teammate Kenzie Foley ’24 (4x; 2021, 22, 23, 24) and current teammate Emma Berran (2x; 2023, 24). Last season Thompson was also named to the second team. Kimm and LaPlant are the 12th and 13th players in program history to earn All-America honors.
The redshirt senior middle blocker was named a first team All-Central Region performer by the AVCA and Division-II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) after being named a second teamer by the AVCA in 2024. Thompson was also named to the All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) First Team, to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC All-Tournament Team all for the second consecutive season and was also the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year this season. The Lakeville, Minnesota native averaged 3.89 points, 3.37 kills and 0.96 blocks per set this season on .331 hitting this season.
Kimm earned her first all-region and all-conference honors this season after being named to the AVCA All-Central Region First Team and the D2CCA All-Central Region Second team and the All-NSIC First Team. The North Liberty, Iowa native was also named to the to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC All-Tournament Team (second consecutive season). The junior outside hitter averaged 3.88 points, 3.47 digs, 3.40 kills and 0.46 blocks per set this season.
LaPlant also earned the first all-region and all-conference honors of her career this season after being named to the AVCA All-Central Region First Team and the D2CCA All-Central Region Second team and the All-NSIC First Team. The sophomore setter was also named to the to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC All-Tournament Team. She also became just the fifth player in program history to be named AVCA DII Player of the Week and was the lone Husky to earn weekly NSIC honors this season after being named Setter of the Week twice (her first career weekly awards). The Grand Rapids, Minnesota native averaged 11.69 assists, 2.21 digs, 1.23 points, 0.62 kills and 0.49 blocks per set this season.
This season, the Huskies won their second consecutive and fourth overall NSIC Tournament Championship (all in the last five seasons) after taking down the No. 13, No. 2 and No. 5 teams in the country and advanced to the NCAA Central Region Championship/Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season, tying the program record for NCAA Tournament wins in a season, with two (4x; 1995, 2022, 2024, 2025). En route to the region championship, the Huskies beat the No. 17 team in the nation before taking down the No. 2 team and tournament host, Nebraska Kearney, on their home court.
AVCA All-America
Second Team:
Shelby Kimm
Braya LaPlant
Ella Thompson
AVCA RELEASE
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
WALTHAM, Mass. – The 2025 Bentley volleyball team continues to make history. Elizabeth Blinn is the first player in program history to be named to an All-America team, as she landed on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Third Team, the AVCA announced Wednesday morning.
Sophia Poehlein, Tory Vitko, and Lulu Pavan each received All-American Honorable Mention from the AVCA.
Prior to 2025, only two players in Bentley history earned AVCA All-American honors. Christiana Sadowski is a three-time All-American Honorable Mention (2005, 2006, 2007), and Alyssa Carter was an All-American Honorable Mention in 2003.
Heading into Thursday’s NCAA Quarterfinal match, Blinn leads the country in blocks per set (1.67). She is the Northeast 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, and she was named the Most Outstanding Player during the NE10 Tournament.
Poehlein is Bentley’s leading outside hitter, averaging 3.74 kills per set. Three times this year she reached at least 20 kills, each in just four sets. She had a career-high 23 kills in Bentley’s 2025 home-opener against Post.
Vitko is the 2025 NE10 Setter of the Year. She enters the NCAA Quarterfinals averaging 9.37 assists per set, and she has 10 double-doubles this season. Two of those double-doubles were during the NE10 Tournament.
Pavan’s 2.87 kills per set rank second on the team, and she has reached double-digit kills 12 times this season. Pavan’s collegiate career began with 10+ kills in each of her first four matches.
Bentley won the NCAA East Regional title for the third consecutive year. The Falcons are the only program in the country to reach the NCAA DII Championship Quarterfinals in each of the past three seasons.
The Falcons enter the NCAA DII Quarterfinals as the #6 seed, which is the highest seed ever for a team from the East Region. Thursday’s game time against #3 Point Loma is at 12 p.m. (EST).
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