Colorado State Rams women's volleyball coach Emily Cohan called her team's Mountain West Tournament championship victory over San Jose State on Saturday a “commendable” victory.
The Rams defeated the Spartans in four sets and earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. San Jose State entered the tournament amid controversy surrounding the eligibility of transgender player Blair Fleming. San Jose State received a bye in the first round, and Boise State forfeited the game, allowing the Spartans to play in the finals.
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CSU volleyball coach Emily Cohan coaches Malaya Jones vs. No. 10 Kentucky on Aug. 25, 2023 at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Chris Tiller/USA Today Network)
Cohan praised his team for staying the course.
“We came together against a lot of adversity, against a lot of negative energy, and took control of our own destiny,” Kohan said. Las Vegas Review Journal. “I think we made a statement in the process.”
Colorado State was one of the Mountain West teams scheduled to play San Jose State during the regular season. The Spartans had five of their conference opponents forfeit their games. It was 1-1.
Colorado State University head coach Emily Cohan watches a home game against Colorado State at Moby Arena in Fort Collins on September 19, 2024. (Logan Newell/Colorado Ann/USA Today Network via Imagine Images)
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“There wasn't a single person (in Colorado) who was negative about this,” Cohan added. “No one came and blamed anyone else, no one tried to blame. We've tried to be as neutral or as controllable on our side as possible in this really difficult situation.” We could have handled it really well…and we didn't.'' You become a mean person in the process. ”
The conference finals will likely be the last game of Fleming's career.
The hiring will be announced at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins on December 16, 2022, with Colorado State Athletic Director Joe Parker introducing CSU Volleyball Head Coach Emily Cohan. (Chris Absher/Coloradoan/USA Today Network)
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Fleming led the Spartans to the championship game in a senior season overshadowed by a lawsuit from a teammate and a national controversy surrounding Fleming's transgender identity. Fleming led his team in spiking, forcing four Mountain West rivals to forfeit a total of seven conference games, including the tournament semifinals.
FOX News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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