Ohio, Youngstown State Volleyball Player Suspended After Reporting Alleged Racism — From ‘Whale’ and ‘Cow’ Insults to ‘Shadow’ and Repeated N-Word Use
Bullying is never acceptable
November 18, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on November 18, 2026
A sister expressed deep anger and heartbreak over the treatment her younger sibling faced on the Youngstown State volleyball team.
She explained that her sister was repeatedly targeted and mistreated by her own teammates, enduring racial slurs and bullying.
Yet when she reported these incidents, instead of receiving protection, she was suspended from the team.
Worth checking out:
A Volleyball Player Was Suspended After Reporting Repeated Incidents of Racism and Harassment from Teammates!
, a former athlete, took to Facebook to share a troubling incident involving her younger sister, Niyah Lester, a volleyball player at Youngstown State University.
In her post, accompanied by pictures of an application letter, Dionne alleged that Niyah was suspended from the team for reporting racism, bullying, and harassment within the program.
According to her account, teammates targeted Niyah with comments like “the tannest on the team” and body‑shaming slurs including “whale,” “cow,” and “ugly.”
She further reported that the N-word was used multiple times and that she was disparagingly referred to as a “shadow.”
Dionne highlighted that these were not isolated events but part of a consistent pattern of discrimination.
Furthermore, she accused the coaching staff, particularly the head women’s volleyball coach, of ignoring the severity of the situation while unfairly disciplining her sister.
In her post, Dionne focused on the lack of accountability and the disproportionate punishment her sister faced.
She explained that despite Niyah’s reports of harassment, the coaching staff continued to penalize her for minor infractions.
Furthermore, Dionne described how the head coach allegedly forced Niyah to walk for three hours straight, despite her recent recovery from Achilles surgery.
She also highlighted belittling remarks from the coach, including claims that Niyah “isn’t that good” and that the team could “win without her.”
The post concluded with a serious allegation, which states:
My sister was also left completely alone in the team hotel while the team was on a trip in South Carolina — an unacceptable and dangerous situation for any student-athlete. A serious NCAA violation.
In the above post, one commenter reacted strongly, admiring Niyah’s talent, writing:
This is insane ! I remember playing against her at an open gym years ago. Her presence on the court is very powerful. The way she plays speaks for itself, and she shouldn’t have to deal with anything like this. I truly hope everything turns in her favor.
JESUS LOVES YOU 
Niyah Lester’s suspension shows serious problems with fairness and accountability in college sports.
Her sister’s post highlights the pain of racism, bullying, and being ignored by those who should protect her.
At its core, this case is a call for YSU to ensure that every athlete is treated with dignity and equality, so that no student has to face the kind of isolation and injustice that Nyah has faced.
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Sangita is a passionate blogger with a keen eye for covering recent and trending news, particularly in the world of sports. Her love for travel and nature fuels her writing, adding a vibrant and refreshing perspective to her work. When she's not chasing the latest headlines, Sangita can be found exploring new destinations, capturing the beauty of nature, and sharing her adventures with her audience. Her unique blend of interests and expertise makes her blog a go-to source for both news enthusiasts and fellow travelers.
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