San Jose State’s volleyball team lost to Colorado State in the Mountain West tournament final, concluding a season overshadowed by controversy. The Rams clinched a spot in the 64-team NCAA tournament with their 27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16 victory. For the Spartans, their season’s challenges extended beyond the court, with a 14-6 record influenced by forfeits and boycotts tied to political debates over gender identity in sports.
The controversy persisted during the tournament as Boise State withdrew from the semi-finals after defeating Utah State. While no explicit reasons were provided, the decision came amid a lawsuit filed by players from various schools seeking to block a San Jose State player alleged to be transgender from competing. A federal court upheld a ruling allowing the player to participate, further fueling tensions that had characterized the Spartans’ season.
San Jose State benefited from six forfeit wins during the season as teams such as Wyoming, Utah State, Nevada, and Southern Utah refused to compete against them. Nevada’s players issued a statement opposing perceived injustices against female athletes, though no explicit allegations were confirmed. The protests and forfeitures left the Spartans with a second-seed placement in the conference tournament and a first-round bye.
The university has neither confirmed nor denied whether a transgender player is on the team, with media outlets refraining from naming the player due to her lack of public comment on the issue. The case has drawn significant attention, with the debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports becoming a polarizing political issue, particularly in the context of the recent elections. Despite the heightened scrutiny, the Spartans continued to compete under challenging circumstances.
The Mountain West championship concluded with little visible protest on-site, reflecting a quieter end to a turbulent season. While there were a few protestors earlier in the tournament, none were present at Saturday’s final, and the atmosphere among the crowd remained calm. The broader debate over gender identity in sports, however, is likely to continue, with San Jose State’s season serving as a focal point for the contentious issue.
