Melissa Batie-Smoose
ON THE RECORD · 7 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“so harshly for not passing her running test that she experienced panic attacks. Plaintiff reported this mistreatment to Alexander. Upon information and belief, Kress was not disciplined.”
Melissa Batie-Smoose · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-14
The complaint alleges Kress berated one athlete so harshly over a running test that she experienced panic attacks.
“excoriated by Kress in front of the team for being a few minutes late to the locker room after a losing match. The ferocity of his interaction resulted in both Plaintiff and [the player] informing Alexander about the incident. Upon information and belief, Kress was not disciplined.”
Melissa Batie-Smoose · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-14
The complaint alleges Kress excoriated a player in front of the team for being late to the locker room after a losing match.
“God made man and woman”
Melissa Batie-Smoose · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-14
The complaint alleges she repeatedly told Kress, in substance, that her religious beliefs prevented her from treating a male athlete as female.
“cornered, yelled at, and berated her”
Melissa Batie-Smoose · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-14
The complaint alleges Kress cornered, yelled at, and berated her in her office after a canceled recruiting visit in approximately August 2023.
“Plaintiff is further informed and believes, based on public reporting, that Defendant took no further action following this correspondence, and that Kress continued to coach and travel with the SJSU women’s volleyball team without interruption or restriction. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant’s handling of this report is consistent with, and corroborates, the pattern of disparate treatment against Plaintiff alleged throughout this Complaint,”
Melissa Batie-Smoose · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-14
The lawsuit alleges SJSU took no action after a former Fairfield player's safety report and that Kress continued coaching without restriction.
“Kress would also berate her during practice in front of the athletes, calling her ‘Trump-loving’ or a ‘Trump lover’ and mocking her political affiliation,”
Melissa Batie-Smoose · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-14
Her complaint states Kress berated her during practice in front of athletes, calling her Trump-loving and mocking her political affiliation.
“in response, Plaintiff was told that Kress was her boss and that she needed to listen to him. Kress received no disciplinary action for his behavior towards Plaintiff.”
Melissa Batie-Smoose · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-14
She says she reported the office confrontation to athletics HR but was told Kress was her boss and he received no discipline.