LAS VEGAS (AP) 鈥� Boise State, which twice boycotted regular-season matches with San Jose State, pulled out of the Mountain West women's volleyball tournament Wednesday night even after securing a spot in the semifinals against the Spartans.
San Jose State, which received six forfeit victories from Mountain West opponents, is seeded second in the conference tournament and received a first-round bye. Now the Spartans will advance all the way to Saturday's championship match rather than take the court Friday.
Boise State released a statement that read: 鈥淭he decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one. Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday. They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes.鈥�
The statement came hours after the Broncos defeated Utah State 25-19, 18-25, 25-20, 25-23 in the quarterfinals.
Boise State didn't commit immediately after the match to playing San Jose State. What went into its decision to withdraw from the tournament was unclear, whether it was by a team vote or more of a university decision.
The title match likely will go on as scheduled. San Jose State will play either top-seeded Colorado State or No. 5 San Diego State. Both teams played the Spartans this season rather than sit out.
San Jose State was expected to release a statement after Boise State's announcement.
Mountain West members Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada as well as Southern Utah canceled games this season against the Spartans. Nevada鈥檚 players stated they 鈥渞efuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,鈥� without providing further details.
in Colorado by players from various schools against the conference and San Jose State officials calling for a Spartans player not to be allowed participation in the tournament, citing unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, even naming her.
U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver that the player is allowed to play, and a federal appeals court the following day.
While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women鈥檚 volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player鈥檚 name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and through school officials has declined an interview request.
Wyoming and Nevada did not qualify for the tournament.
Participation of transgender women in women鈥檚 sports is apparently why the five teams canceled their games against San Jose State, and the topic became a hot political topic ahead of the recent election.
___
AP college sports:
Mark Anderson, The Associated Press
