Boise State, which twice boycotted regular-season games against San Jose State, withdrew from the Mountain West women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday night despite securing a berth in the semifinals against the Spartans.
San Jose State, which was stripped of six wins due to a boycott by its Mountain West opponents, was the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament and received a first-round bye.
The Spartans will now advance to Saturday's championship game instead of taking the court on Friday.
Boise State University released the following statement: “The decision not to continue competing in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship was not an easy one. Our team overcame a forfeit to qualify for the tournament and defeated Utah State in the first round on Wednesday. There is no need to miss this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that will serve all athletes.”
San Jose State said it would issue a statement Thursday.
Boise State's announcement came hours after the Broncos defeated Utah State 25-19, 18-25, 25-20, 25-23 in the quarterfinals.
Boise State did not immediately commit to play San Jose State after the game. It is unclear how the decision to withdraw from the tournament was made, whether it was a team vote or a university decision.
The title match is likely to take place as scheduled. San Jose State will face either No. 1 seed Colorado State or No. 5 seed San Diego State. This season, both teams played against the Spartans rather than sitting out.
Mountain West members Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, Nevada and Southern Utah have canceled games against the Spartans this season.
Nevada players said they would “refuse to compete in any game that promotes injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details.
On August 28, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed an executive order called the Defending Women's Sports Act that challenges the state's interpretation of Title IX rules.
“Biological males, or boys, have physical differences that give them an unfair advantage when competing against women and girls in track and field,” Little said at the time.
Players from various schools in Colorado recently challenged the conference and San Jose State officials, citing unspecified reports alleging there was a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, regarding the participation of Spartans players in the tournament. filed a lawsuit demanding that it not be recognized. , even naming her.
U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Cruz in Denver ruled Monday that the player would be allowed to play, and a federal appeals court upheld that decision the next day.
Although some media outlets have reported these and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiture team has acknowledged that the school has a trans female volleyball player.
The Associated Press is withholding the athlete's name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and declined interview requests through school officials.
Wyoming and Nevada failed to qualify for the tournament.
Transgender women's participation in women's sports appears to be the reason why five teams canceled games against San Jose State University, and the topic has become a hot political topic ahead of recent elections.
