colorado The women's volleyball team will face San Jose State University in the Mountain West Conference championship game on Saturday as the Spartans spark a national controversy over transgender players.
Colorado State University head coach Emily Cohan confirmed that the Rams will play in the final at 5pm ET on Saturday after defeating the No. 5 seed. san diego state Friday is 4 sets.
Colorado State Rams head coach Emily Cohan speaks with players during a timeout against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center on September 20, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Andrew Webbers/Getty Images)
“It's been a really complicated and emotional situation this whole season,” Cohan said. “And I don't think you can really understand what this feels like unless you're in that room having difficult conversations and making difficult decisions.
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“I also think that, whatever your opinion, there is room to acknowledge that many young people have shown courage in different ways throughout the season.”
SJSU has been embroiled in controversy this season due to transgender player Blair Fleming on the team. Some teams are Forfeited game against SJSU, Fleming, meanwhile, is named in a lawsuit that also includes Spartans team members and staff.
After Boise State was the last team to forfeit a game, SJSU advanced to the finals, this time in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The Broncos' athletic department released a statement Wednesday night saying the team “doesn't have to miss out on this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes.”
San Jose State Spartans #3 Blair Fleming watches the third set against the Air Force Falcons on Falcon Court in the East Gym on October 19, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Andrew Webbers/Getty Images)
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in addition to boise state In addition to Mountain West members Wyoming, Utah and Nevada, Southern Utah also 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.
However, Cohan, who spoke to members of the media on Friday, supported Colorado State's decision to play in the final.
“This was a far cry from the regular season. Tomorrow we have an opportunity to play for another championship, but at the same time we have the courage to be a team that can say, 'Here we go there, we're going to do it.' We're going to show courage with our play and we're going to stop this. ”
Blair Fleming of the San Jose State Spartans tries to block a shot during the first set against the Air Force Falcons on Falcon Court in the East Gym on October 19, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Andrew Webbers/Getty Images)
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“We're not going to hand this difficult conversation over to the NCAA committee or any other team and have a tearful conversation in a hotel,” she continued.
The final match is scheduled for 5pm ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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