San Jose State expressed disappointment on Thursday following Boise State’s decision to forfeit their semifinal match in the Mountain West women’s volleyball tournament. Despite the setback, the Spartans are focused on their upcoming championship match.
Boise State, which had previously boycotted regular-season matches against San Jose State, withdrew from the conference tournament on Wednesday night, just hours after securing a semifinal spot against the Spartans. As a result of Boise State’s withdrawal, San Jose State automatically advanced to the championship match scheduled for Saturday.
While Boise State did not provide a specific reason for its withdrawal, it coincided with a lawsuit filed in Colorado by players from various schools against the conference and San Jose State officials. The lawsuit sought to prevent a San Jose State player from participating in the tournament, citing allegations of the player’s transgender identity. U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews ruled on Monday that the player could compete, a decision upheld by a federal appeals court the following day.
In a statement, San Jose State remarked, “In this time of Thanksgiving, we are especially thankful for those who continue to engage in civil and respectful discourse. We celebrate and support all of our students, including our student-athletes as they compete for our community on this holiday weekend. While we are disappointed in Boise State’s decision, our women’s volleyball team is preparing for Saturday’s match and looks forward to competing for a championship.”
The Spartans, who received six forfeit victories due to boycotts from Mountain West opponents during the regular season, are seeded second in the conference tournament and received a first-round bye. They will face either top-seeded Colorado State or fifth-seeded San Diego State in the championship match, both of whom opted to play against San Jose State during the season.
“The decisions to forfeit matches are at the institutions’ discretion and are considered a loss,” the Mountain West Conference stated on Thursday.
Boise State’s withdrawal followed their quarterfinal victory over Utah State, which they won 25-19, 18-25, 25-20, 25-23. The Broncos’ athletic department issued a statement emphasizing that their team had worked hard to earn their spot in the tournament and should not have to forgo their opportunity while awaiting a more equitable system for all athletes.
This season, several Mountain West members, including Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, and Nevada, canceled matches against San Jose State. Nevada players stated they would “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without elaborating further. Additionally, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed an executive order in August called the Defending Women’s Sports Act, which challenges the interpretation of Title IX rules in the state.
“Biological males – men and boys – have physical differences that give them an unfair advantage when competing with women and girls in athletics,” Little stated at the time.
While some reports have surfaced regarding the identity of a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, the university has not confirmed her status. The Associated Press is withholding her name as she has not publicly addressed her gender identity and has declined interview requests through school officials.
The participation of transgender women in women’s sports has become a contentious political issue in recent months, particularly leading up to recent elections.
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