San Jose State can play in the Mountain West Conference tournament, but when?
The team, which previously boycotted at least one game against the San Jose State women's volleyball program, will once again have to decide whether to play the school in the Mountain West Conference semifinals for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Five schools forfeited their regular season games against San Jose State, which sent the No. 2 seed to the conference tournament in Las Vegas.
That includes No. 3 Utah State and No. 6 Boise State, which will play on Wednesday with the winner set to face the Spartans in Friday's semifinals.
Wyoming, Nevada and Southern Utah, which are not members of the Mountain West, also canceled regular season games, but none of them gave a clear reason for the bye.
Nevada players cited fairness in women's sports as a reason for boycotting games, but politicians in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Nevada suggested the cancellation was centered around protecting women's sports. did.
At the center of the controversy is Blair Fleming, a transgender athlete who has been named in numerous reports.
San Jose State captain Brooke Slusser reiterated how the school handled the situation.
“The school just seemed to be supporting Blair and not checking on us,” Slusser told Outkick last month.
“Basically, 'You shouldn't identify Blair's gender identity. That's what Blair should do, not you. It's not your story to tell.' But we all have stories too. This is not just something that Blair is going through. This is something that my teammates and I are going through. There are so many emotions and questions that I don't know how to express. No.”
Fleming has remained silent as the story has sparked national controversy.
In a lawsuit filed against the NCAA, plaintiffs cited unspecified media reports alleging that the San Jose State volleyball team had a transgender player.
A judge on Monday denied a request by nine current conference players, including Slusser, to bar the San Jose State player from playing in the tournament because he is transgender.
The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.
“The team looks forward to beginning Mountain West Conference tournament play on Friday,” San Jose State said in a statement after the appeals court's ruling. “The university maintains an unwavering commitment to protecting the participation, safety and privacy of all San Jose State University students and ensuring that they can compete in an inclusive, fair and respectful environment.”
Boise State athletics spokesperson Chris Kutz said in an email that the university “does not comment on potential matchups at this time.”
Aggies athletics department spokesman Doug Hoffman said in an email that Utah is reviewing the court order.
“Currently, our women's volleyball program is focused on this Wednesday's game and we will be rooting for them,” Hoffman wrote.
San Jose State, which received a first-round bye, will be sent directly to the conference title game if Utah State or Boise State are eliminated again.
Even if the Spartans advance to the title game, their opponents probably won't forfeit.
They will face top-seeded Colorado State, No. 4 Fresno State and No. 5 San Diego State, all teams that faced the Spartans this season.
Conference winners automatically qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
— with AP
