Now that we’ve passed peak wokeness, perhaps we can start admitting that the evidence is undeniable: boys win at girls’ sporting events because of the massive advantages of biology. This idea should be self-evident. Yet, it wasn’t in some quarters—hence, we’re still having this discussion.
In very progressive Ann Arbor, Michigan, the notion that wokeness ever peaked is considered a minor heresy. As a result, Skyline High School has made the state girls volleyball tournament for the second straight year, and in dominant fashion. But what’s the secret to its success? The team isn’t precisely all girls.
According to sports outlet OutKick, Skyline won a straight-sets victory over Saline High School on Thursday, securing its place among the final eight teams in the Division I Michigan High School Athletic Association girls tournament. However, Saline parents were incensed during the 25-15, 25-18, 25-21 sweep due to the presence of a female-identifying male athlete on the Skyline team.
The controversy goes beyond having a boy on a girls’ team, although that’s certainly part of the problem.
OutKick reporter Dan Zaksheske explained: The MHSAA requires transgender athletes to have an approved waiver to compete in any organization-sponsored events, including district and regional tournaments. The organization stated in September that it had not granted any waivers since last fall, with waivers needing approval every year. Yet, it has ignored multiple follow-up requests asking whether any waivers have since been granted.
Throughout the fall season, OutKick reported that Skyline appeared to have attempted to conceal the biological male player’s identity. Many parents of opposing teams expressed outrage on discovering their teenage daughters were competing against a male athlete.
Zaksheske wrote that the individual “dominated the first set with several massive kills, helping Skyline cruise to the first set win.” This performance was not met with universal delight among Saline parents.
One parent said, “As you saw, it was actually a pretty even match when he wasn’t on the court.” Another remarked, presumably with sarcasm, “I’ve never seen a girl jump that high.” A third parent expressed displeasure by putting his thumbs down every time the male athlete made a play.
Despite the controversy, Skyline’s march to the Elite Eight continued. As one parent put it, this outcome is easily possible in “the People’s Republic of Ann Arbor.”
Zaksheske also noted that he’d been harassed for “doing my job,” and that Skyline supporters were “practically encouraged by Skyline principal Casey Elmore” in this endeavor. “Why wouldn’t they?” he added. “It’s clear their views on these subjects are rarely, if ever, challenged.”
That dynamic may change, given that the next match will take place in a region closer to Trump territory in Michigan than before. Most games so far have been in and around Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan. Skyline’s next game will be in Kent County—a much more moderate, conservative area.
That said, this should be an issue that no longer divides anyone. We’ve seen the danger of gender ideology overtaking common sense in everything from high school sports to the Olympics. It is beyond doubt that you cannot overcome biological differences of gender with a bit of woke prestidigitation.
If the rest of us can come to our senses on this issue, surely the People’s Republic of Ann Arbor can, eventually.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/11/opposing-parents-vent-reporter-stands-trans-volleyball-player/